Recently, a groundbreaking study on the medicinal herb Ashwagandha (AG) has made headlines as India and the UK join hands to investigate its potential for aiding recovery from Covid-19. This stands as the first instance where the Ministry of Ayush, India, has partnered with a foreign institution for research on Covid-19 treatment efficacy. If successful, Ashwagandha could be globally recognized as a preventive medication against infection.
About Ashwagandha: A Medicinal Powerhouse
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is more than just a herb. It holds a reputation as an immunity enhancer and is classified as an adaptogen, indicating its ability to help the body manage stress. Apart from reinforcing the immune system and managing stress, Ashwagandha also enhances brain function, decreases blood sugar levels, and combats symptoms of anxiety and depression.
The herb has demonstrated success in treating both acute and chronic rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA is an autoimmune disease causing joint pain and damage throughout the body. In such conditions, the immune system erroneously attacks the body, and Ashwagandha’s medicinal properties have shown efficacy in countering these effects.
Potential of Ashwagandha in Covid-19 Recovery
Recent studies are pointing towards Ashwagandha as a potential therapeutic candidate for mitigating long-term symptoms of Covid-19. Several randomised placebo-controlled trials in India have revealed its efficiency in reducing anxiety and stress, enhancing muscle strength, and alleviating fatigue symptoms in patients treated for chronic conditions. Such a trial is a quantitative study performed under controlled conditions involving random allocation of interventions to comparison groups.
Understanding Clinical Trials
Clinical trials involving human subjects are categorized into three phases: I, II, and III. Some countries necessitate formal regulatory approval to conduct any of these studies.
Phase I clinical studies involve initial testing of a potential vaccine on small groups of healthy adults. The primary concern of Phase I studies is safety, assessing the tolerability, properties, and if suitable, clinical laboratory and pharmacological parameters of the vaccine.
Phase II studies involve larger subject groups and aim to provide preliminary information about a potential vaccine’s ability to produce its desired effect (often immunogenicity) in the target population and its general safety.
Finally, extensive Phase III trials are needed to fully evaluate the protective efficacy and safety of a potential vaccine. It is the pivotal study that influences the decision to grant its license. The trial must gather sufficient data to prove that the new product is safe and effective for its intended purpose.
The ongoing research on Ashwagandha presents a promising development in the fight against Covid-19. As scientists worldwide continue to dig deeper, this ancient medicinal herb might just be the ticket to our eventual recovery from the pandemic. Only time and more research can reaffirm this assertion.
