Page 97 - product-manual

TM/MC TM/MC
PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES - TOXICOLOGY - DRUG INTERACTIONS

Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha)

Radix Withaniae has been known for a spectrum of health-promoting effects including
activation of immune, muscle, and neuronal systems (Rajasankar et al., 2009). Radix
Withaniae is widely used in modern Western herbalism as an adaptogen. The adaptogenic
effect is attributed to the suppression of stress-induced increases of dopamine receptors
in the corpus striatum in the brain. Radix Withaniae has shown antioxidant activity in the
midbrain and corpus striatum by increasing antioxidant enzyme levels. Stress-induced
depletion of T cell population was increased by oral administration of Withanolide A
isolated from Radix Withaniae in experimental animals (Kour et al., 2009). It was also found
to enhance the immune function by increasing immunoglobulin production and regulating
antibody production by augmenting both Th1 and Th2 cytokine production (Yamada et al.,
2011).

Toxicity for Radix Withaniae has not been documented in dogs and cats when administered orally in therapeutic
TOXICOLOGY 2002). 50 5,000 mg PO of Radix Withaniae 50% ethanol extract.
doses. Oral LD for Radix Withaniae 50% ethanol extract is 1,000 mg/kg of body weight in rats (Williamson,

Equivalent toxic dose in 20 kg dog: 20, 000 mg PO of Radix Withaniae 50% ethanol extract.
Equivalent toxic dose in 5 kg cat:

DRUG Validated interactions studies do not exist for Radix Withaniae preparations. Clinical interactions
INTERACTIONS with other drugs have not been reported. However, Radix Withaniae extract may potentiate the
sedative effects of barbiturates (Brinker, 2001).

Eleutherococcus senticosus (Eleuthero)

Extracts of Radix Eleutherococci have an adaptogenic effect that produces a non-specific
increase in the body’s defence against exogenous stress factors and noxious chemicals. The
roots also stimulate the immune system, and promote an overall improvement in physical
and mental performance (WHO, 2004). Several kinds of chemical compounds have been
reported, including triterpenoid saponins, lignans, coumarins, and flavones, among which,
phenolic compounds such as syringin and eleutheroside E, were considered to be the most
active components. Considerable pharmacological experiments both in vitro and in vivo
have persuasively demonstrated that Radix Eleutherococci possessed anti-stress, anti-fatigue,
immunostimulatory, anti-depressive, antiulcer, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective a
ctivities (Panossian & Wagner, 2005; Huang et al., 2011).

6 | Immunine -VM TM