For example, in a 30-day randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (with an additional 30-day open-label extension), subjects taking 60 milligrams of a standardized ashwagandha root and leaf extract experienced significant increases in immune markers, including immunoglobulins (IgA, IgM, IgG), cytokines such as interferon- and interleukin-4, and various white blood cell subsets like T cells (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+), B cells (CD19+) and natural killer (NK) cells, compared with placebo
Furthermore, ectopic upregulation of NAMPT in a myeloid leukemia cell line triggered myeloid differentiation
BabootaRKMurtazaNJagtapSSinghDPKarmaseAKaurJet al
Accessed 1/20/11b
Villafuerte G et al
There are several theories as to the key immunologic players in their development, along with continued debate over whether its the parent drug or a metabolite that results in immune cell activation