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Adjunctive use of a standardized extract of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) to treat symptom exacerbation in Schizophrenia: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
The objective in this study by Chengappa et al. (2018) was to determine if adjunctive therapy with a standardized extract of withania somnifera (WSE) — which has known anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating properties — can improve psychopathology and stress in sufferers of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. In this randomly-assigned, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 66 patients with exacerbating symptoms were assigned to either 1000mg per day of WSE or a placebo for 12 weeks, in addition to their current antipsychotic medication. Outcomes measured were changes in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS total, positive, negative, and general symptoms) between treatment groups from baseline until the end of treatment, S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100B) and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations, and stress and inflammatory indices [using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)]. Beginning at four weeks and continuing to the end of treatment, WSE produced significantly greater reductions in PANSS negative, general, and total symptoms (but not positive symptoms) when compared to the placebo. Other changes with WSE treatment included improvements in PSS scores and greater (although not significant) declines in CRP and S100B, as compared to the placebo. Adverse effects observed were mild to moderate and didn’t last long, with somnolence (drowsiness), epigastric discomfort, and loose stools more commonly seen with WSE. Also, no significant between-treatment differences were noted in body weight, vital signs, or laboratory measures, which remained stable. This early study suggests that adjunctive treatment with a standardized extract of withania somnifera provides significant benefits, with minimal side effects, for negative, general, and total symptoms of schizophrenia and stress in patients with recent exacerbations of schizophrenia. [NPID: withania somnifera, WSE, anti-inflammatory, schizophrenia, stress, herbs]
Year: 2018
