One of the Best Adaptogens: Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha's effects have been the subject of research for decades, with many studies showing it reduces malignancy, stress, increases physical stamina, and can help conditions like arteriosclerosis, hypertension, and fatigue. Anti-arthritis effects have also been discovered in multiple studies. Ashwagandhas wide range of positive benefits are the reason it has been classified as an adaptogen, but as we will see, it has very specific functional properties, and its Withanolides (steroidal lactones) have multiple specified pathways for reducing inflammatory proteins and markers of disease. Some of the most promising have been seen in its anti-cancer activities.

Anti-Cancer Effects
Numerous studies have examined the anti-tumor activity of Ashwagandha. Several have found that it reduced carcinogenesis in mice with lung-adenoma; others have found it increased white blood cell count and improved functioning, and was linked to the disappearance of fibroids in the uterus (1). Another recent study was found that Ashwagandha induces apoptosis and inhibits cancer cell proliferation in non-small cell lung cancer (2).
The research done on breast cancer has shown highly promising results. One controlled experiment examined the effects of water extracted Ashwagandha in combination with intermittent fasting, on breast cancer cell lines in vitro, and in vivo with mice (3). Both the cell lines, and the live mice injected with tumors, showed significant apoptosis and reduction in tumor size. An extended cure rate of live mice was also seen in the Ashwagandha-treated groups. Not surprisingly, the combination of Ashwagandha and intermittent fasting was found to have a synergistic effect.

A few different mechanisms are thought to be the cause of Ashwagandha’s anti-cancer activity. One is that Ashwagandha inhibits the tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) based adhesion of lymphoma and lung cancer cells, and its ability to downregulate growth factors. Another, is its ability to improve ROS-induced apoptosis, having anti-invasive and anti-metastatic effects. It was also shown to inhibit oxidative phosphorylation, which some types of cancer need to survive, particularly those most resistant to conventional treatments.