How digestion affects the benefits of Ashwagandha
Official title: Effects of digestion on composition and bioavailability of compounds from Ashwagandha: an in vitro study
Funded at University of North Carolina Wilmington · NIH-10867365 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how your body breaks down Ashwagandha, a popular herbal supplement, to see which helpful parts can actually get into your bloodstream and how that might help with anxiety and depression.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of North Carolina Wilmington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Wilmington, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $74,299 |
| NIH project number | 5R03AT012460-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10867365 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals interested in natural supplements for managing anxiety and depression, particularly those who consume or consider consuming Ashwagandha.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use or have no interest in herbal supplements, or those with conditions unrelated to anxiety or depression, may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the digestion process alters the composition and availability of beneficial compounds found in Ashwagandha, a popular herbal supplement. Using in vitro laboratory models that simulate the gastrointestinal environment, the study aims to understand how Ashwagandha extracts behave after consumption. It will specifically look at which components can effectively pass through the intestinal membrane into the bloodstream, potentially influencing their therapeutic effects. By analyzing these changes, the research seeks to provide insights into the effectiveness of Ashwagandha as a treatment for conditions like anxiety and depression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance the understanding of how Ashwagandha can be used more effectively as a natural treatment for anxiety and depression.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been research on Ashwagandha's effects, this specific investigation into its digestion and bioavailability is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
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University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Strangman, Wendy — University of North Carolina Wilmington
- Study coordinator: Strangman, Wendy
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.