Neuroinflammation, Schizophrenia Patients
Conditions
Keywords
Schizophrenia, Ashwagandha, Withania somnifera, PANSS, Inflammation, Interleukin-1beta
Brief summary
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract as an adjuvant therapy in patients with schizophrenia who are receiving risperidone. Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder associated with neuroinflammation and immune dysregulation, including increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β). In this study, patients diagnosed with schizophrenia are given standard treatment with risperidone, with or without additional Ashwagandha extract. The primary outcomes are changes in Interleukin-1β levels and clinical symptoms assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). The study aims to determine whether Ashwagandha extract supplementation can reduce inflammation and improve clinical symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. The findings support the use of Ashwagandha extract as a complementary therapy to enhance treatment outcomes in schizophrenia.
Detailed description
This randomized controlled trial was conducted at South Sulawesi Mental Hospital (RSKD Dadi), South Sulawesi Province, Makassar, Indonesia. Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe psychiatric disorder characterized by disturbances in perception, cognition, emotion, and behavior. In addition to neurotransmitter imbalances, increasing evidence suggests that neuroinflammation and immune dysregulation play important roles in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), have been associated with disease severity and symptom progression. Risperidone, an atypical antipsychotic, is commonly used as a first-line treatment for schizophrenia and is effective in reducing positive symptoms. However, many patients continue to experience residual symptoms, particularly negative and cognitive symptoms. Therefore, adjunctive therapies targeting alternative pathways, such as inflammation, are being explored to improve treatment outcomes. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a traditional medicinal plant with known anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties. Preclinical and clinical studies suggest that Ashwagandha may modulate immune responses, reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines, and improve cognitive and behavioral functions. These properties make it a potential candidate as an adjunctive therapy in schizophrenia. This study is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of Ashwagandha extract as an adjuvant to risperidone therapy in patients with schizophrenia. Participants diagnosed with schizophrenia are allocated to receive either standard treatment with risperidone alone or risperidone in combination with Ashwagandha extract. The primary outcomes of the study include changes in serum IL-1β levels and clinical symptom severity measured using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Data are collected at baseline and after the intervention period. Statistical analysis is conducted to compare changes in IL-1β levels and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) scores between groups. The study aims to determine whether the addition of Ashwagandha extract provides additional benefits in reducing inflammation and improving clinical outcomes compared to standard therapy alone. The results of this study are expected to contribute to the understanding of the role of immunomodulatory interventions in schizophrenia and to support the development of complementary therapeutic strategies for improving patient outcomes.
Interventions
Risperidone is administered as standard antipsychotic therapy according to clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of schizophrenia.
DRUGAshwagandha
Standardized extract of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) 1000mg/day administered as an adjunctive therapy in combination with risperidone during the study period
OTHERPlacebo
Placebo administered alongside risperidone, matched in appearance to the Ashwagandha preparation, used as a control condition.
Sponsors
Hasanuddin University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
Participants are randomly assigned to either the control group receiving risperidone alone or the intervention group receiving risperidone in combination with Ashwagandha extract.
Intervention model description
Participants are assigned to one of two parallel groups: a control group receiving standard therapy with risperidone and an intervention group receiving risperidone in combination with Ashwagandha extract. Outcomes are compared between groups after the intervention period
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
20 Years to 45 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Male patients diagnosed with schizophrenia based on ICD-10/PPDGJ III criteria * Aged 20-45 years * Duration of illness ≤ 5 years * Patients who have passed the acute phase (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale-Excited Component (PANSS-EC) \< 15) * Receiving risperidone 4 mg/day * Willing to participate and provide written informed consent
Exclusion criteria
* Presence of organic comorbid diseases * History of substance abuse (NAPZA) within the last 1 year, except caffeine and nicotine * Use of anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, or antioxidant agents * Intellectual disability (mental retardation)
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in serum Interleukin-1beta levels | Baseline to week 8 | The primary outcome is the change in serum Interleukin-1beta levels measured to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of the intervention |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score | Baseline to week 8 | Change in total Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) score from baseline to Week 8. The PANSS total score ranges from 30 to 210, with higher scores indicating more severe schizophrenia symptoms. A reduction in score indicates clinical improvement. |
| Change in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale subscale scores (positive, negative, general psychopathology) | Baseline to week 8 | Assessment of changes in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) subscale scores from baseline to Week 8. The PANSS includes positive symptom, negative symptom, and general psychopathology subscales. Higher scores indicate more severe psychopathology, and reductions in scores indicate improvement. |
| Correlation between change in serum Interleukin-1beta levels and change in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score | Baseline to week 8 | Correlation between changes in serum Interleukin-1 beta levels and changes in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total scores from baseline to Week 8 using correlation analysis (e.g., Pearson or Spearman correlation coefficient). The PANSS total score ranges from 30 to 210, with higher scores indicating more severe schizophrenia symptoms. |
Countries
Indonesia
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORMasnaeni Awaliah, MD
Hasanuddin University
Outcome results
None listed