title: Evaluation of the efficacy of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) root extract in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic psychiatric disorder that is causally linked to dysregulation of the serotonergic system. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of Withania somnifera (W. somnifera) root extract as an adjunct therapy to standard OCD treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty patients with a confirmed diagnosis of OCD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) criteria participated in this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial and were randomly assigned to the treatment group (W. somnifera extract, 120mg/day; n=15) or the placebo group (n=15). All patients were under treatment with Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), and were instructed to take 4 capsules of the extract or placebo per day, preferably after meals, for a period of six weeks. The Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) was used in order to assess the severity of OCD symptoms at baseline and at the end of the trial. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software and Y-BOCS values were presented as median and range (Min-Max).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Comparison of the change in Y-BOCS score during the course of the trial revealed a significantly greater effect of W. somnifera (26 (14-40) [pre-treatment] versus 14 (4-40) [post-treatment]; change: -8 (-23 to 0)) versus placebo (18 (11-33) [pre-treatment] versus 16 (10-31) [post-treatment]; change: -2 (-4 to 0)) (P<0.001). The extract was safe and no adverse event was reported during the trial.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  W. somnifera extract may be beneficial as a safe and effective adjunct to SSRIs in the treatment of OCD.
authors: Pharmaceutical Research Center, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors: Seyedeh Pardis
authors: SP
authors: Jahanbakhsh
authors: Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Ibn-e-Sina Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors: Ali Akhondpour
authors: AA
authors: Manteghi
authors: Department of Pharmacogenosy, Pharmaceutical Research Center and School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors: Seyed Ahmad
authors: SA
authors: Emami
authors: Pharmaceutical Research Center, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors: Saman
authors: S
authors: Mahyari
authors: Gholampour Psychiatric Clinic, Mohtashami Avenue, Mashhad, Iran.
authors: Beheshteh
authors: B
authors: Gholampour
authors: Pharmaceutical Research Center, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Electronic address: mohamadpoorAH@mums.ac.ir.
authors: Amir Hooshang
authors: AH
authors: Mohammadpour
authors: Neurogenic Inflammation Research Center, Biotechnology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Metabolic Research Centre, School of Medicine and Pharmacology, Royal Perth Hospital, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
authors: Amirhossein
authors: A
authors: Sahebkar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry*; D032341:Withania / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; C030693:Ashwagandha
keywords: Ashwagandha; Obsessive-compulsive disorder; Randomized controlled trial; Withania somnifera