Efficacy and Safety of a Proprietary Blend of Ashwagandha Root Extract (Aqueous) in Adult Men and Women With High Stress and Anxiety: A Randomized, Double-blind, Three-arm, Parallel, Placebo-controlled Study

To qualify for the study, participants must be aged between 18 to 55 years experiencing signs and symptoms suggestive of stress (e.g., difficulty, concentrating, physical exhaustion, anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, worry, sweating, mental confusion, etc.). In this study, a maximum of 51 patients will be enrolled and the goal is to complete the study with at least 45 patients. After signing this consent form, participants will answer questions regarding their medical history, including any medications they are taking. Physical exams with vital signs (pulse, temperature, sitting blood pressure and respiratory rate) will be performed at both visits by a professional trained to perform this testing. It may be a Nurse (RN or LPN), Phlebotomist, or Medical Doctor. A blood sample will be required from subjects. Subject's right or left arm will be used as the blood draw site, requiring a 5mL sample.e blood will be analyzing Cortisol level. These blood draws will be administered by a professional trained to perform this testing. It may be a Nurse (RN or LPN), Phlebotomist or Medical Doctor. A two-page Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) Test and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) will be given and administered as self-assessment. All eligible participants, will be given the required quantity of the study medication for self-administration, sufficient till the Visit 3- End of study visit, 8 weeks ± 4 Days. Participants will be randomized to either one of the three treatment arms. Participants will be instructed to take one capsule of study medication to which they are randomized twice daily, with ambient temperature water for 8 weeks at home. Participants will be asked to visit the site for Visit 2 (4 weeks ± 4 Days), Visit 3 (8 weeks ± 4 Days). Adverse events and concomitant medication will be recorded throughout the study. Participants will be asked to get used and unused study medications and their subject diaries in this visit. All the participants will be asked to continue their routine diet and physical activities during the whole study period. The primary end point is mean change in serum cortisol level from baseline. The secondary end points are Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) questionnaire, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) questionnaire, Profile of Mood States (POMS, abbreviated version) questionnaire, Oxford Happiness Questionnaire from baseline. The safety end points are the Number and proportion of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs) over 8 weeks and the Number and proportion of Treatment-Emergent Serious Adverse Events (TESAE) over 8 weeks.