Alkemist Labs confirms Shagandha Ashwagandha Root Extract from Sabinsa complies with USP monograph

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Shagandha Ashwagandha Root Extract 2.5% USP from Sabinsa Corp. (East Windsor, NJ) complies with U.S. Pharmacopoeia-National Formulary (USP-NF) monograph, reports the firm. Sabinsa chose Alkemist Labs to test the ingredient and confirm it meets the USP monograph.

“We did two tests for Sabinsa’s Shagandha™ Ashwagandha Root Extract 2.5% USP material; an identity test by high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) and a quantitative test for Withanolides by HPLC,” explained Élan Sudberg, CEO of Alkemist Lab, in a press release. “The identity testing by HPTLC was performed to show that their material is consistent with Withania somnifera root. The quantitative testing for withanolides, compounds within ashwagandha, by HPLC was performed to show the amount of withanolides in their Shagandha extract. This testing was to show that they meet their 2.5% withanolide specification they claim on this product. In both testing cases, United States Pharmacopeia (USP) methods were used. Essentially, the test showed Sabinsa’s Shagandha extract is authentic ashwagandha.”

“With ashwagandha sales growing in the double digits in recent years, extra caution in sourcing becomes crucial to guard against the adulteration that often follows rapid growth in demand for an herb,” said Sabinsa founder Dr. Muhammed Majeed in a press release. “Ensuring identity of the material and that it will meet our specification claims fits with our commitment to combating adulteration in the supply chain while assuring customers we provide quality ingredients.”