title: A comparative pharmacological investigation of Ashwagandha and Ginseng.
abstract: The aqueous suspensions of roots of an Indian drug Ashwagandha and the Korean drug Ginseng were tested comparatively for 2 pharmacological activities, namely the anti-stress activity by the 'mice swimming endurance test' and anabolic activity by noting gain in body weights and levator ani muscle in rats. A significant increase in mice swimming time was shown by Ginseng (P < 0.001) and Ashwagandha (P < 0.01) as compared to the control group. Significant increase in body weights in the Ashwagandha treated group (P < 0.05) was better than Ginseng (P < 0.5). Gain in wet weights of the levator ani muscle were also significant in Ginseng (P < 0.001) and Ashwagandha (P < 0.01) treated groups, however, the weight gain of dried levator ani muscles showed comparable results for both these drugs (P < 0.01).
authors.affiliation: Indian Drugs Research Association, Pune.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grandhi
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Mujumdar
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Patwardhan
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009132:Muscles / Q000187:drug effects; D005894:Panax; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000187:drug effects*; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D051381:Rats; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000517:prevention & control; D013550:Swimming; D032341:Withania
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; C030693:Ashwagandha