Choudhary Bakhtiar, Shetty A, Langade Deepak G
Hyderabad Spine Clinic, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Zela Life Health Center, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
Ayu. 2015 Jan-Mar;36(1):63-8. doi: 10.4103/0974-8520.169002.
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera [L.] Dunal) has been traditionally used for various actions ranging from vitalizer, improve endurance and stamina, promote longevity, improve immunity, and male and female fertility. However, clinical studies are needed to prove the clinical efficacy of this herb, especially in cardiovascular endurance and physical performance.
This prospective, double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled study evaluated the efficacy of Ashwagandha roots extract in enhancing cardiorespiratory endurance and improving the quality of life (QOL) in 50 healthy male/female athletic adults.
Cardiorespiratory endurance was assessed by measuring the oxygen consumption at peak physical exertion (VO2 max) levels during a 20 m shuttle run test. The World Health Organization self-reported QOL questionnaire (physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environmental factors) was used to assess the QOL. Student's t-test was used to compare the differences in a mean and change from baseline VO2 max levels, whereas Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to assess changes in QOL scores from baseline in the two groups.
There was a greater increase from baseline (P < 0.0001) in the mean VO2 max with KSM-66 Ashwagandha (n = 24) compared to placebo (n = 25) at 8 weeks (4.91 and 1.42, respectively) and at 12 weeks (5.67 and 1.86 respectively). The QOL scores for all subdomains significantly improved to a greater extent in the Ashwagandha group at 12 weeks compared to placebo (P < 0.05).
The findings suggest that Ashwagandha root extract enhances the cardiorespiratory endurance and improves QOL in healthy athletic adults.
南非醉茄（Withania somnifera [L.] Dunal）传统上被用于多种功效，包括作为活力剂、提高耐力和体力、促进长寿、增强免疫力以及改善男女生育能力。然而，需要临床研究来证明这种草药的临床疗效，特别是在心血管耐力和身体表现方面。
这项前瞻性、双盲、随机、安慰剂对照研究评估了南非醉茄根提取物对50名健康的成年男女运动员增强心肺耐力和改善生活质量（QOL）的疗效。
通过在20米穿梭跑测试中测量最大体力消耗时的耗氧量（VO2 max）来评估心肺耐力。使用世界卫生组织自我报告的生活质量问卷（身体健康、心理健康、社会关系和环境因素）来评估生活质量。学生t检验用于比较平均VO2 max水平与基线水平变化的差异，而Wilcoxon符号秩检验用于评估两组生活质量评分相对于基线的变化。
与安慰剂组（n = 25）相比，服用KSM - 66南非醉茄（n = 24）的组在8周时（分别为4.91和1.42）和12周时（分别为5.67和1.86），平均VO2 max较基线有更大的增加（P < 0.0001）。与安慰剂组相比，南非醉茄组在12周时所有子领域的生活质量评分均有更显著的改善（P < 0.05）。
研究结果表明，南非醉茄根提取物可增强健康成年运动员的心肺耐力并改善生活质量。
