Cancer therapy is a newer frontier for exploring ashwagandha as a potential therapy. Preclinical studies on withaferin A (an isolated constituent of ashwagandha) indicate it may inhibit or control cancer metastasis in animal and cell models.[1][2][3][4] In humans undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer, ashwagandha as a whole herb supplement has demonstrated an increase in well-being and physical/emotional function, and a reduction in fatigue, insomnia, and pain.[5]
References
- ^Yang Z, Garcia A, Xu S, Powell DR, Vertino PM, Singh S, Marcus AIWithania somnifera root extract inhibits mammary cancer metastasis and epithelial to mesenchymal transition.PLoS One.(2013)
- ^Bargagna-Mohan P, Hamza A, Kim YE, Khuan Abby Ho Y, Mor-Vaknin N, Wendschlag N, Liu J, Evans RM, Markovitz DM, Zhan CG, Kim KB, Mohan RThe tumor inhibitor and antiangiogenic agent withaferin A targets the intermediate filament protein vimentin.Chem Biol.(2007-Jun)
- ^Grin B, Mahammad S, Wedig T, Cleland MM, Tsai L, Herrmann H, Goldman RDWithaferin a alters intermediate filament organization, cell shape and behavior.PLoS One.(2012)
- ^Dae Hyung Lee, In-Hye Lim, Eon-Gi Sung, Joo-Young Kim, In-Hwan Song, Yoon Ki Park, Tae-Jin LeeWithaferin A inhibits matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity by suppressing the Akt signaling pathwayOncol Rep.(2013 Aug)
- ^Biswal BM, Sulaiman SA, Ismail HC, Zakaria H, Musa KIEffect of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) on the development of chemotherapy-induced fatigue and quality of life in breast cancer patientsIntegr Cancer Ther.(2013 Jul)