New study supports Sensoril's psychomotor benefits in healthy subjects

05-Feb-2014 - Last updated on 05-Feb-2014 at 15:18 GMT

Sensoril is an extract of the roots and leaves of Withania somnifera, or ashwagandha.

A new study on the ashwagandha ingredient Sensoril shows its ability to significantly improve cognitive and psychomotor performance during simple reaction, choice discrimination, digit symbol substitution, digit vigilance and card sorting tests in healthy male subjects.

“This new study which assessed the cognitive and psychomotor performance of subjects taking Sensoril further supports the cognitive enhancing benefits of Sensoril which has been studied previously in other human clinical trials,” Suzanne McNeary, CEO of NutraGenesis told NutraIngredients-USA. NutraGenesis, based in Brattleboro, VT, is the exclusive North American licenseee of the ingredient, which is manufacturers by Natreon, Inc., which is based in New Brunswick, NJ.

Study details

The study measured cognitive and psychomotor performance during simple reaction, choice discrimination, digit symbol substitution, digit vigilance and card sorting. The study design used these because of “sensitivity and validity for detecting changes in psychomotor performance in healthy subjects.”

During this double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover human clinical trial, 20 healthy male subjects received two, 250 mg capsules daily of Sensoril or a matching placebo for 14 days. Cognitive and psychomotor performance were assessed pre-dose (day 1) and at 3 hours post-dose on day 15 using the above mentioned computerized psychometric tests. The study, published in the peer-reviewed Pharmacognosy Research January-March 2014 issue, reported that Sensoril provided significant improvements in performance and was well tolerated. The study was conducted by researchers at the Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics at the NIZAMS Institute of Medical Sciences in Hyderabad, India.

Adds to existing science

McNeary said that the ingredient already has a battery of studies behind it, and the new study builds upon that base.

“Sensoril is positioned as an adaptogenic mood and mind enhancing nutraceutical ingredient which has several areas of substantiated structure/function claims which include stress reduction, cognitive function, energy, mood and emotional wellbeing, sleep and cardiovascular health. This new study further supports the use of Sensoril in cognitive function and concentration applications,” she said.

The new research will also help the ingredient compete in the increasingly popular sphere of Ayurvedic ingredients, she said.

“I believe one of the main reasons for this is that many of these ingredients like ashwagandha from which Sensoril is derived has such a long history of human consumption for numerous health benefits. Other fantastic Ayurvedic botanicals include Indian Gooseberry or Amla, Tulsi or Holy Basil and turmeric which has become incredibly popular,” she said.

Source: Pharmacognosy Research
2014, Volume 6, Pages 12-18, doi: 10.4103/0974-8490.122912
“Effect of standardized aqueous extract of Withania somnifera on tests of cognitive and psychomotor performance in healthy human participants”
Authors: U. Pingali, R. Pilli, N. Fatima, Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Panjagutta, Hyderabad
India