Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal ) Root Extract in Improving Memory and Cognitive Functions
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Cognitive decline is often associated with the aging process. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) has long been used in the traditional Ayurvedic system of medicine to enhance memory and improve cognition. AIM: This pilot study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) in improving memory and cognitive functioning in adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHODS: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted in 50 adults. Subjects were treated with either ashwagandha-root extract (300 mg twice daily) or placebo for eight weeks. RESULTS: After eight weeks of study, the ashwagandha treatment group demonstrated significant improvements compared with the placebo group in both immediate and general memory, as evidenced by Wechsler Memory Scale III subtest scores for logical memory I (p = 0.007), verbal paired associates I (p = 0.042), faces I (p = 0.020), family pictures I (p = 0.006), logical memory II (p = 0.006), verbal paired associates II (p = 0.031), faces II (p = 0.014), and family pictures II (p = 0.006). The treatment group also demonstrated significantly greater improvement in executive function, sustained attention, and information-processing speed as indicated by scores on the Eriksen Flanker task (p = 0.002), Wisconsin Card Sort test (p = 0.014), Trail-Making test part A (p = 0.006), and the Mackworth Clock test (p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Ashwagandha may be effective in enhancing both immediate and general memory in people with MCI as well as improving executive function, attention, and information processing speed.
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Ashwagandha improves memory in persons with mild cognitive impairment and enhances attention, executive function, and information processing speed.
“The results suggested that Ashwagandha improves memory in a person with MCI and enhances attention, executive function, and information processing speed [147].”
From Unlocking the Therapeutic Potential of Medicinal Plants for Alzheimer’s Disease: Preclinical to Clinical Trial Insights (2023) · cites this paper as [147]
Treatment with ashwagandha-root extract (300 mg twice daily for eight weeks) improved immediate and general memory functions and enhanced executive function, attention and information processing speed in adults with a mild cognitive impairment.
“A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study reported that treatment with ashwagandha-root extract (300 mg twice daily for eight weeks) improved immediate and general memory functions and enhanced executive function, attention and information processing speed in adults with a mild cognitive impairment [168].”
From Indian Medicinal Herbs and Formulations for Alzheimer’s Disease, from Traditional Knowledge to Scientific Assessment (2020) · cites this paper as [168]
The two studies provide evidence for Withania somnifera's enhancing roles in memory and executive function in subjects with mild cognitive impairment.
“As such, these two studies provide evidence for W. somnifera’s enhancing roles in memory and executive function in subjects with MCI [91,94].”
From The Multifaceted Role of Neuroprotective Plants in Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment (2022) · cites this paper as [94]
In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of 50 subjects with mild cognitive impairment, the Withania somnifera-treated group showed significant enhancements in information-processing speed, attention span, and executive function after eight weeks of 300 mg root extracts twice daily.
“In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study encompassing 50 subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), the subjects were treated with 300 mg of W. somnifera root extracts twice daily or with a placebo for eight continuous weeks [94]. At the end of the eight weeks, the W. somnifera-treated group showed significant enhancements in information-processing speed, attention span, and ex”
From The Multifaceted Role of Neuroprotective Plants in Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment (2022) · cites this paper as [94]
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References 44 · Cited by 215
- Authors
- Choudhary, D., Bhattacharyya, S., & Bose, S.
- Affiliations
- Indian Red Cross Society, Red Cross House, Pune, India
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, NSHM Knowledge Campus, Kolkata, India
- Corresponding author
- Bhattacharyya, Sauvik
- Venue
- Journal of Dietary Supplements
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2017-02-21
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 599-612
- ISSN
- 1939-0211 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-022X
- OpenAlex
- W2589834961
- Cited by
- 215
- References
- 44
- Citations by year
- 2026: 29 · 2025: 36 · 2024: 24 · 2023: 25 · 2022: 28 · 2021: 31 · 2020: 23 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 1
- FWCI
- 17.06
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Dietary Supplements (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Phytochemicals and Medicinal Plants
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Medicinal Plants and Neuroprotection
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Pharmacological Effects of Medicinal Plants
- Keywords
- Withania somnifera, ashwagandha root extract, mild cognitive impairment, memory enhancement, cognitive function, executive function, attention, processing speed, Ayurveda, herbal supplement safety
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Cognition, Double-Blind Method, Humans, Phytotherapy, Memory, Middle Aged, Pilot Projects, Plant Extracts, Prospective Studies, Sample Size, Plant Roots, Withania, Cognitive Dysfunction
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