Role of Shatavari in Relieving Psychophysiological Stress

The biological reaction to a stressful situation that results in psychological, physiological, and physical problems is known as psychophysiological stress. It is a complex neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative condition that causes cognitive, behavioral and health-related problems as a result of hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivity, which weakens the inflammatory-immune response. This might lead to increased activation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), which alters cardiac autonomic activity and heart rate variability (HRV). Thus, as a prospective medication, herbal remedies have been continuously investigated to support the current medical system. Accordingly, medieval documents from the Chinese, Greek, and Ayurvedic medicinal systems describe the well-known adaptogen Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari), which belongs to the Asparagaceae family. The active biochemicals that make it a popular medicinal plant include steroidal glycosides, alkaloids (racemosol), flavonoids, polyphenols, saponins (Shatavarins I, II, III, and IV), and vitamins. Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, nootropic, ergogenic, and antidepressant qualities are only a few of the multiple therapeutic activities that Shatavari demonstrates without producing any visible adverse effects. It also promotes neurogenesis and neuroplasticity by enhancing the levels of antioxidant enzymes in the various brain regions. Shatavari may therefore serve as a basic Ayurvedic medication that is available as a cutting-edge analeptic to support an individual’s health, vitality, and well-being. The pharmacological characteristics and mechanism of Asparagus racemosus , which have been demonstrated to be effective in treating psychophysiological stress, are discussed in this chapter.