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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07215455

Ashwagandha Extract for Weight and Stress Management in Overweight and Obese Adults

This study is designed to evaluate the effects of KSM-66 Ashwagandha root extract (300 mg daily) on weight management and stress reduction in overweight and obese adults. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a traditional herbal supplement that may help reduce stress and support overall health. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, participants will receive either Ashwagandha extract or a placebo for the study duration. The main goal is to measure changes in body weight and stress levels. Other health outcomes, such as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and quality of life, will also be assessed. The study will help determine whether Ashwagandha is effective and safe for managing stress and supporting weight loss in adults with overweight or obesity.

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Key information

Conditions

Weight Management Stress

Age range

19 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

San Francisco Research Institute

San Francisco, California, 94132, United States

About this study

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study is being conducted to investigate the potential efficacy and safety of KSM-66 Ashwagandha® root extract (300 mg per capsule) in promoting weight management and reducing stress in adults classified as overweight or obese.

Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either KSM-66 Ashwagandha® capsules or matching placebo capsules for the study duration. Each participant will undergo baseline and follow-up assessments that include anthropometric measurements (body weight, BMI, and waist circumference), psychological evaluations (Perceived Stress Scale and related questionnaires), and laboratory investigations relevant to metabolic and stress-related health.

The study hypothesis is that daily supplementation with KSM-66 Ashwagandha® will lead to a statistically significant reduction in stress levels and body weight compared to placebo. The trial outcomes are expected to contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting the role of Ashwagandha as a safe and natural adaptogenic supplement for weight and stress management in adults.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Healthy adult men and women participants ≥ 19 years and ≤65 years of age.
  • Willingness to follow the protocol requirements as evidenced by written informed consent.
  • Participants willing to give meaningful, written informed consent prior to participation in the trial, in accordance with regulatory requirements.
  • Participants who agree to take investigational product (i.e., Till Week 8).
  • Participants with Body mass index between 25 and 39.9 kg/m2

Exclusion criteria

  • History of Alcohol or smoking abuse.
  • History of hypersensitivity to Ashwagandha
  • Taking nutritional or energy supplements, medication, or steroids,
  • Any history of drug abuse
  • Having any clinical abnormalities
  • Simultaneously participating in any other clinical trial or participated in the past three months
  • Participants who use medication for blood pressure, use beta-blockers, inhaled any beta-agonists, use any hormonal contraceptives, having a history of corticosteroid use within three months, participants under psychotropic medication within last 8 weeks
  • Participants diagnosed with any heart disease, diabetes, stroke, neurological disorders or depression.
  • Have clinically significant acute unstable hepatic, renal, cardiovascular, or respiratory disease that will prevent participation in the study.
  • Patients with depressive episode, panic disorder, social phobia, obsessive-compulsory disorder, alcohol dependency; schizophrenia and mania.
  • Patients with post traumatic disorder.
  • Have an established practice of meditation (as meditating for at least 20 minutes, three or more times per week) for three or more months.
  • Pregnant and lactating women
  • Participation in other clinical trials during previous 3 months
  • Any clinical condition, according to the investigator which does not allow safe fulfilment of clinical trial protocol.

Treatment and study plan

Ashwagandha 300 mg standardized root extract

Dietary Supplement

Participants in this group will receive KSM-66 Ashwagandha, a standardized root extract of Withania somnifera, 300 mg once daily in capsule form. KSM-66 is a high-concentration, full-spectrum extract of Ashwagandha root, designed to provide adaptogenic effects for stress reduction and support weight management. Participants will be instructed to take the capsule with water, preferably at the same time each day, for the duration of the 8-week study. Adherence will be monitored via pill counts and participant diaries.

Identical placebo capsule.

Other

Participants in this group will receive an identical placebo capsule that matches the appearance, size, color, and taste of the KSM-66 Ashwagandha capsule but contains inactive ingredients. The placebo is administered once daily for 8 weeks. Participants will be instructed to take the capsule with water, preferably at the same time each day. Adherence will be monitored via pill counts and participant diaries. The use of a placebo allows comparison with the Ashwagandha group to evaluate efficacy and safety outcomes while maintaining blinding for participants and study staff.

Primary outcomes

  1. Mean change in body weight and BMI

    Time frame: aseline (Visit 1/Screening/Enrolment), Week 4 (Visit 2), Week 12 (Visit 3/End of Study)

    Change from baseline in body weight (kg) and body mass index (BMI, kg/m²) will be assessed in overweight and obese adult participants at Week 4 and Week 12. Measurements will be performed using standardized calibrated equipment under consistent conditions at each visit.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Mean change in Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) score

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 4, Week 12

    Change from baseline in PSS-10 scores, measuring perceived stress levels in overweight and obese adult participants, at Week 4 and Week 12.

  2. Mean change in SF-12 Health Survey score

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 4, Week 12

    Change from baseline in SF-12 scores, evaluating physical and mental health-related quality of life in overweight and obese adult participants, at Week 4 and Week 12.

  3. Mean change in SSS (Stress Symptom Scale) score

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 4, Week 12

    Change from baseline in SSS scores, assessing self-reported stress symptoms in overweight and obese adult participants, at Week 4 and Week 12.

  4. Mean change in Food Cravings Questionnaire-Trait (FCQ-T) score

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 4, Week 12

    Change from baseline in FCQ-T scores, evaluating trait-level food cravings in overweight and obese adult participants, at Week 4 and Week 12.

  5. Mean change in Complete Blood Count (CBC)

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 4, Week 12

    Change from baseline in hematological parameters including hemoglobin (g/dL), total leukocyte count (cells/µL), and platelet count (cells/µL) measured by automated hematology analyzer.

  6. Number and proportion of Treatment Emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs) and Treatment Emergent Serious Adverse Events (TESAEs)

    Time frame: 12-week treatment period

    All TEAEs and TESAEs occurring during the 12-week intervention period will be recorded and summarized by number and proportion of participants affected, severity, and relationship to study intervention.

  7. Mean change in Lipid Profile

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 4, Week 12

    Change from baseline in serum lipid parameters including total cholesterol (mg/dL), HDL cholesterol (mg/dL), LDL cholesterol (mg/dL), and triglycerides (mg/dL) measured by enzymatic colorimetric method.

  8. Mean change in Liver Function Test (LFT)

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 4, Week 12

    Change from baseline in liver function parameters including serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT; U/L), aspartate aminotransferase (AST; U/L), alkaline phosphatase (ALP; U/L), and total bilirubin (mg/dL) measured using automated biochemistry analyzer.

  9. Mean change in Renal Function Test (RFT)

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 4, Week 12

    Change from baseline in renal function parameters including serum creatinine (mg/dL) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN; mg/dL) measured using automated biochemistry analyzer.

  10. Mean change in Thyroid Function Parameters

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 4, Week 12

    Change from baseline in serum Thyroxine (T4; µg/dL), Triiodothyronine (T3; ng/dL), and Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH; µIU/mL) measured by chemiluminescent immunoassay.

  11. Mean change in Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS)

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 4, Week 12

    Change from baseline in fasting blood glucose level (mg/dL) measured by enzymatic glucose oxidase method.

  12. Mean change in Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c)

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 4, Week 12

    Change from baseline in HbA1c (%) measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

SF Research Institute, Inc.

Network

Registry information

Official study title

Efficacy And Safety of KSM66 Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) Standardized Root Extract (300 mg) on Weight and Stress Management in Overweight and Obese Adults: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo- Controlled Study

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Oct 10, 2025
Registry last updated
Nov 6, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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