Développement de la forme gummies à base de Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) et de Kéfir : étude des effets anti_anxiété et anti_stress

Abstract

This study aims to alleviate anxiety and stress through the design of an innovative natural product, in the form of functional gummies composed of Withanai somnifera. plant extract, kefir, and Degla Beida date powder , free of side effects, with all ingredients sourced from the Biskra et El Oued region. Methodologically, we first carried out the extraction of the Withanai somnifera plant, on which we performed phytochemical tests, as well as the preparation of kefir for its use. We then established the experimental groups from 19 rats divided into six lots (control, stressed, treated with the extract, treated with kefir, treated with the mixture, and treated with the reference drug). The effect of the treatment was evaluated through behavioral tests, blood analyses (complete blood count CBC and cortisol measurement), as well as a statistical study of the acceptability of the dietary supplement in gummy form. The phytochemical tests revealed an extraction yield of 6 %, a total polyphenol content of 0.163 ± 0.011 µg GAE/mg Ex, a flavonoid content of 0.197 ± 0.004 µg QE/mg Ex, and a condensed tannin content of 0.353 ± 0.011 mg CE/mL Ex, as well as a strong antioxidant activity (DPPH IC₅₀ = 0.134 ± 0.013 µg/mL; FRAP = 86.58 ± 0.62 mg AAE/g Ex). The behavioral tests showed a clear improvement in the group treated with the mixture, with a reduction in immobility time (28 s) and an increase in swimming time (142 s) and time spent in the open arms (142 s). Regarding the hematological analyses (CBC), the group treated with the mixture displayed values close to the physiological norms, with a leukocyte count of 7.39 × 10⁹/L, a lymphocyte count of 2.50 × 10⁹/L, a granulocyte count of 2.05 × 10⁹/L, and a Mid-cell count of 0.69 × 10⁹/L, reflecting a normalization of the immune parameters compared to the stressed group (leukocytes 10.70 × 10⁹/L). The cortisol measurement confirmed a marked decrease in the group treated with the mixture (28.66 nmol/L versus 46.7 nmol/L in the stressed group). Finally, the sensory evaluation revealed good acceptability of the gummies, with an overall acceptance rate of 84 % and a purchase intention of 74 %. In conclusion, these results confirm that the combination of Withanai somnifera and Kefir, formulated as functional gummies, represents a promising natural approach to alleviating anxiety and stress, opening up interesting perspectives for the development of anti-stress dietary supplements based on local resources.