ArticlePharmacognosy research2014
Effect of standardized aqueous extract of Withania somnifera on tests of cognitive and psychomotor performance in healthy human participants.
Article in Pharmacognosy research, 2014. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT04092647 (A Randomized Placebo-controlled Trial of Ashwagandha), which is not on this map. Cited by 29 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
A Randomized Placebo-controlled Trial of Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) for Cognitive Dysfunction Associated With Cancer Chemotherapy.
Who cites it
29 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 103 citations in OpenAlex.
- Effects ofFrontiers in pharmacology · 2026Pooled it
- Effects of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) on Hematological and Biochemical Markers, Hormonal Behavior, and Oxidant Response in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review.Current nutrition reports · 2023Pooled it
- A clinical assessment of the therapeutic effects of Ashwagandha root extract on cognitive performance, sleep, and fatigue in children aged 6-12 years.Frontiers in nutrition · 2026Trial
- Acute and Repeated Ashwagandha Supplementation Improves Markers of Cognitive Function and Mood.Nutrients · 2024Trial
- New Vistas for Withania somnifera in Signal Transduction of Inflammation and Aging.Pharmaceutical research · 2026Review
- Emerging nano-derived therapy for the treatment of dementia: a comprehensive review.Drug delivery and translational research · 2026Review
- Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera): a comprehensive narrative review of its role in enhancing physical performance and health.Nutrition & metabolism · 2026Review
- Biopsychological Effects of Ashwagandha (Muscles (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Review
- Article
- Plants' Impact on the Human Brain-Exploring the Neuroprotective and Neurotoxic Potential of Plants.Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024Review
- Review
- In Silico Study on the Interactions, Molecular Docking, Dynamics and Simulation of Potential Compounds fromMolecules (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Article
- Effects of Acute Ashwagandha Ingestion on Cognitive Function.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022Article
- Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal whole-plant extract demonstrates acceptable non-clinical safety in rat 28-day subacute toxicity evaluation under GLP-compliance.Scientific reports · 2022Article
- The Multifaceted Role of Neuroprotective Plants in Alzheimer's Disease Treatment.Geriatrics (Basel, Switzerland) · 2022Review
- Review
- Neuroprotective Herbs for the Management of Alzheimer's Disease.Biomolecules · 2021Review
- Effects of Ashwagandha (Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology · 2021Review
- Natural Products and Their Bioactive Compounds: Neuroprotective Potentials against Neurodegenerative Diseases.Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM · 2020Review
- Effect of Withania Somnifera on the antioxidant and neurotransmitter status in sleep deprivation induced Wistar rats.Bioinformation · 2020Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
3 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundWithania somnifera is an herbal medicine that has been known to possess memory-enhancing properties. The current study involved an assessment of cognitive and psychomotor effects of Withania somnifera extract in healthy human participants. MATERIALS AND
methodsIn this prospective, double-blind, multi-dose, placebo-controlled, crossover study, 20 healthy male participants were randomized to receive 250 mg two capsules twice daily of an encapsulated dried aqueous extract of roots and leaves of Withania somnifera or a matching placebo for a period of 14 days. Cognitive and psychomotor performance was assessed pre-dose (day 1) and at 3 hrs post-dose on day 15 using a battery of computerized psychometric tests. After a washout period of 14 days, the subjects crossed-over to receive the other treatment for a further period of 14 days as per prior randomization schedule. Same battery of test procedures were performed to assess cognitive and psychomotor performance.
resultsSignificant improvements were observed in reaction times with simple reaction, choice discrimination, digit symbol substitution, digit vigilance, and card sorting tests with Withania somnifera extract compared to placebo. However, no effect can be seen with the finger tapping test.
conclusionThese results suggest that Withania somnifera extract can improve cognitive and psychomotor performance and may, therefore, be a valuable adjunct in the treatment of diseases associated with cognitive impairment.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.