Asparagus racemosus is also known as Shatavari herb in India
Asparagus racemosus is a member of the same family as the common asparagus. There are many species of asparagus, including asparagus officinalis. Asparagus racemosus Willd (family Liliaceae) is commonly known as Shatavari. Roots of Asparagus racemosus Willd (Shatavari in vernacular) are widely used in Ayurveda as Rasayana for immunostimulation, galactogogue as also in treatment of conditions like ulcers and cancer. Asparagus extract has been studied in research trials.
Benefits
Aphrodisiac properties of
Asparagus racemosus
A Comparative Study on Aphrodisiac Activity of Some Ayurvedic Herbs in Male
Albino Rats.
Arch Sex Behav. 2009 January. Thakur M, Chauhan NS, Bhargava S, Dixit VK.
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. H. S. Gour University, Sagar, MP,
470003, India.
The roots of Asparagus racemosus, Chlorophytum borivilianum, and rhizomes of
Curculigo orchioides are popular for their aphrodisiac and immunostimulatory
properties. The herbs have been traditionally used as Vajikaran Rasayana herbs
because of their putative positive influence on sexual performance in humans.
Lyophilized aqueous extracts obtained from the roots of Asparagus racemosus, C.
borivilianum, and rhizomes of Curculigo orchioides were studied for sexual
behavior effects in male albino rats and compared with untreated control group
animals. Administration of the aqueous extracts had
pronounced anabolic effect in treated animals as evidenced by weight gains in
the body and reproductive organs. There was a significant variation in the
sexual behavior of animals as reflected by reduction of mount latency,
ejaculation latency, post ejaculatory latency, intromission latency, and an
increase of mount frequency. Penile erection (indicated by Penile Erection
Index) was also considerably enhanced. Reduced hesitation time (an indicator of
attraction towards female in treated rats) also indicated an improvement in
sexual behavior of extract treated animals. The observed effects appear to be
attributable to the testosterone-like effects of the extracts. Nitric oxide
based intervention may also be involved as observable from the improved penile
erection. The present results, therefore, support the folklore claim for the
usefulness of Asparagus racemosus and these herbs and provide a scientific
basis for their purported traditional usage.
Cancer
Apoptosis inducing activity of steroidal constituents from Solanum xanthocarpum
and Asparagus racemosus.
Phytomedicine. 2010 Feb 20. Bhutani KK, Paul AT, Fayad W, Linder S.
Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education
and Research, Sector 67, SAS Nagar, Mohali-160062, Punjab, India.
A series of Sarsapogenin and Diosgenin derived steroidal constituents (1-12),
isolated from Solanum xanthocarpum and Asparagus racemosus were screened for
their ability to induce cell death and apoptosis of colon carcinoma cells. The
carbohydrate moieties linked to the steroid backbones were found to strongly
influence cytotoxic activity and cell death mode (apoptosis or necrosis).
Compound 10, from A. racemosus was found to be a potent inducer of apoptosis.
Immune properties of Asparagus
racemosus
Immunomodulatory activity of Asparagus racemosus on systemic Th1/Th2 immunity:
Implications for immunoadjuvant potential.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2009 Jan 21; Bioprospecting Laboratory, Interdisciplinary
School of Health Sciences, University of Pune, Pune 411007, Maharashtra, India.
Various studies have indicated immune properties of Asparagus racemosus root
extracts and formulations. Our study suggests mixed Th1/Th2 activity of
Asparagus racemosus root extracts and supports its immunoadjuvant potential.
Aphrodisiacs natural home supplement herbal medications