Adaptogens — References

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Parent Topic: Adaptogens | References Hub: 02 - Compounds & Molecules References MOC

Landmark Peer-Reviewed Studies

Citation: Chandrasekhar, K., Kapoor, J., & Anishetty, S. (2012). A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of Ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 34(3), 255–262.
Identifiers: PMID: 23439798 (PubMed · Europe PMC) | PMCID: PMC3573577 (PMC Full Text) | DOI: 10.4103/0253-7176.106022 (DOI · SciDB · Scholar)
Study Design & Sample Size: 60-day prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in adults with chronic stress ( $N = 64$ ).
Key Quantitative Outcomes: Supplementation with $300 mg$ twice daily ( $600 mg/day$ ) full-spectrum Withania somnifera root extract (KSM-66) reduced Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) scores by $- 44.0%$ vs. $- 5.5%$ in placebo ( $p < 0.0001$ ), reduced Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) scores by $- 71.6%$ ( $p < 0.0001$ ), and lowered morning serum cortisol by $- 27.9%$ ( $- 4.42 μ g/dL$ ) compared to $- 7.9%$ in placebo ( $p = 0.0006$ ).

Citation: Darbinyan, V., Kteyan, A., Panossian, A., Gabrielian, E., Wikman, G., & Wagner, H. (2000). Rhodiola rosea in stress induced fatigue—a double blind cross-over study of a standardized extract SHR-5 with a repeated low-dose regimen on the mental performance of healthy physicians during night duty. Phytomedicine, 7(5), 365–371.
Identifiers: PMID: 11081987 (PubMed · Europe PMC) | DOI: 10.1016/S0944-7113(00)80055-0 (DOI · SciDB · Scholar)
Study Design & Sample Size: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial with a 2-week washout in healthy young physicians ( $N = 56$ ) on overnight hospital call duty.
Key Quantitative Outcomes: Administration of $170 mg/day$ standardized Rhodiola rosea extract (SHR-5, containing $4.5 mg$ salidroside) for 14 days significantly improved the Total Fatigue Index across 5 cognitive domains (associative thinking, short-term memory, calculation, concentration, and audiovisual perception speed) by $+ 19.8%$ ( $p < 0.01$ ) during night-shift duty compared to placebo deterioration.

Citation: Panossian, A., & Wikman, G. (2010). Effects of adaptogens on the central nervous system and the molecular mechanisms associated with their stress—protective activity. Pharmaceuticals, 3(1), 188–224.
Identifiers: PMID: 27713249 (PubMed · Europe PMC) | PMCID: PMC3991026 (PMC Full Text) | DOI: 10.3390/ph3010188 (DOI · SciDB · Scholar)
Study Design & Sample Size: Mechanistic molecular pharmacology and transcriptomic synthesis of Rhodiola rosea, Schisandra chinensis, and Eleutherococcus senticosus.
Key Quantitative Outcomes: Demonstrated that adaptogens stimulate the release of Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and Heat Shock Protein 72 (Hsp72) from neuroglia while suppressing stress-elevated phosphorylated JNK (p-SAPK/JNK) and cortisol/nitric oxide spikes by $- 40 to - 60%$ , preserving mitochondrial ATP synthesis during prolonged exhaustion.

Citation: Wankhede, S., Langade, D., Joshi, K., Sinha, S. R., & Bhattacharyya, S. (2015). Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 12, 43.
Identifiers: PMID: 26609282 (PubMed · Europe PMC) | DOI: 10.1186/s12970-015-0104-9 (DOI · SciDB · Scholar)
Study Design & Sample Size: 8-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in young men ( $N = 57$ ) undergoing structured resistance training.
Key Quantitative Outcomes: Supplementation with $300 mg$ twice daily Ashwagandha root extract significantly increased 1-RM bench press strength ( $+ 46.0 kg$ vs. $+ 26.4 kg$ placebo, $p = 0.001$ ), accelerated recovery by lowering exercise-induced serum creatine kinase stabilization ( $p < 0.0001$ ), reduced body fat percentage ( $- 3.5%$ vs. $- 1.5%, p = 0.03$ ), and increased serum testosterone by $+ 96.2 ng/dL$ vs. $+ 18.0 ng/dL$ in placebo ( $p = 0.004$ ).