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Rhodiola rosea, root, extract, rhizome benefits, side effects, researh finds updated on April 17, 2006. zhion@zhoin.com

WHAT IS THE USE OF RHODIOLA? Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) has been used in traditional medicine as a means to stimulate the nervous system, decrease depression and fatigue for centuries in Eastern Europe and Asia. It is also used to help prevent high altitude sickness. Because of multiple uses, it is also known as "golden root"..

Researchers classify Rhodiola as an adaptogen. Basically, adaptogen is an agent increases in power of resistance against multiple stressors and helps the body to reassume homeostasis. To do this, Rhodiola promotes the release of certain neurotransmitters responsible for feelings of well-being, as well as regulating hormone production in response to stress including oxidative damage by free radicals. It also appears to increase the permeability of the blood-brain barrier to neurotransmitter precursors, aiding and even increasing their beneficial effects.  In fact, scientists have studied rhodiola extensively in the last few years and they found this herb may have multiple health benefits.

WHAT ARE THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF RHODIOLA? Rhodiola Rosea Extract prevents ischemic brain damage development; research finds. Pogorelyi VE et al, State Pharmaceutical Academy, Russia stated that Rhodiola Rosea extract could prevent the ischemic brain damage development in their article. They further suggested that a course administration of the drug in a dose of 700 mg/kg arrested the development of hyper- and hypoperfusion in cerebral circulation, weakened the postischemic hyperglycemic reaction, lowered oxygen extraction by cerebral tissues, suppressed lactate acidosis, promoted pyruvate participation in metabolic processes inhibits edema swelling, prevented the "calcium paradox" development, and decreaseed manifestations of the lipid peroxidation processes. [Eksp Klin Farmakol. 2002 Jul-Aug;65(4):19-22]. Rhodiola Rosea works as an adaptogen Korean and Russian scientists have done a lot of studies to find out how rhodiola benefits on cognitive functions: Spasov AA et al, Volgograd Medical Academy, Russia, investigated the stimulating and normalizing effect of the adaptogen Rhodiola rosea extract SHR-5 in foreign students during a stressful examination period using a double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study . The students took the extract and placebo for 20 days during an examination period. They concluded that the extract gave significant results.[ Phytomedicine. 2000 Apr;7(2):85-9] Mook-Jung I et al, Ajou University School of Medicine, Korea. tested the constituents of Rhodiola sacra S. H. Fu and R. sachalinensis A. BOR for their neuroprotective effects. They found that a few constituents had considerable protective effects against beta-amyloid-induced death of B103 neuronal cells in vitro. These compounds also showed protective effects against staurosporine-induced cell death, and two of them protected neurons from H2O2-induced cell death. They thought that these compounds might protect neurons from beta-amyloid toxicity based on antiapoptotic and antioxidative activity [Biol Pharm Bull. 2002 Aug;25(8):1101-4 Rhodiolia helps prevent cancer; research finds Razina TG et al, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Russia, inoculated mice with with metastasing Lewis lung carcinoma. They then found that the extracts of Baikal scullcap (Scutellaria baikalensis), rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea), common licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) potentiated the antitumor and antimetastatic effects of cyclophosphan (cyclophosphamide) [Eksp Klin Farmakol. 2000 Sep-Oct;63(5):59-61]. Salikhova RA et al, studied the effect of the Rhodiola rosea extracts on chromosome aberrations, production of cells with micronuclei and unscheduled DNA synthesis in bone marrow cells of mice under action of mutagens cyclophosphamide and N-nitroso-N-methylurea (NMU). They found that Rhodiola rosea extracts reduced significantly the yield of cells with the chromosome aberrations and micronuclei induced by cyclophosphamide in vivo, inhibited unscheduled DNA synthesis induced by NMU in vitro. They suggested that Rhodiola rosea extracts are antimutagens due to ability to raise the efficiency of the intracell DNA repair mechanisms. [Patol Fiziol Eksp Ter. 1997 Oct-Dec;(4):22-4] Bocharova OA et al found that oral administration of Rhodiola rosea extract to a small group of patents (n = 12) with superficial bladder carcinoma (T1G1-2) improved the characteristics of the urothelial tissue integration, parameters of leukocyte integrins and T-cell immunity. [Urol Nefrol (Mosk). 1995 Mar-Apr;(2):46-7.] Rhodiola may benefit people suffered from high altitude sickness. Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) has been used to stimulate the nervous system and fatigue for centuries in Eastern Europe and Asia. It has been used as remedy for high altitude sickness. Bock K et al, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium investigated the effect of acute and 4-week Rhodiola rosea intake on physical capacity, muscle strength, speed of limb movement, reaction time, and attention in a double blind placebo-controlled randomized study (n= 24). They fed subjects either with Rhodiola rosea (R, 200-mg Rhodiola rosea extract containing 3% rosavin + 1% salidroside plus 500 mg starch) or placebo then they assessed their speed of limb movement, aural and visual reaction time, and the ability to sustain attention. After the study, they concluded that acute Rhodiola rosea intake can improve endurance exercise capacity in young healthy volunteers. [Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2004 Jun;14(3):298-307] Abidov M. et al, Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, Moscow, studied the effects of oral treatment with extracts from Rhodiola rosea (50 mg/kg) and Rhodiola crenulata (50 mg/kg) roots on the duration of exhaustive swimming and ATP content in mitochondria of skeletal muscles in rats. Treatment with R. rosea extract significantly (by 24.6%) prolonged the duration of exhaustive swimming in comparison with control rats and rats treated with R. crenullata. R. rosea extract activated the synthesis or resynthesis of ATP in mitochondria and stimulated reparative energy processes after intense exercise. [Bull Exp Biol Med. 2003 Dec;136(6):585-7.] Darbinyan V et al investigated the effect of repeated low-dose treatment with a standardized extract SHR/5 of rhizome Rhodiola rosea L, (RRE) on fatigue during night duty among a group of 56 young, healthy physicians. They expressed the total mental performance as Fatigue Index. They tested the complex perceptive and cognitive cerebral functions, such as associative thinking, short-term memory, calculation and ability of concentration, and speed of audio-visual perception as to reflect the overall level of mental fatigue. They found that there was a statistically significant improvement in these tests in the treatment group. They didn't find any side-effect. They concluded that Rhodiola rosea L could reduce general fatigue under certain stressful conditions. [Phytomedicine. 2000 Oct;7(5):365-71]. Rhodiola may help under conditions of hypoxia. Wing SL et al, University of Utah, USA investigated the effects of  Rhodiola on hypoxia and oxidative stress at a simulated altitude of 4600 m, using 15 volunteers (ages 20-33). They allowed the volunteers to receive 3 separate 60-minute hypoxic exposures by breathing 13.6% oxygen at an ambient barometric pressure of 633 mm Hg (simulating the partial pressure of oxygen at 4600 m elevation). Each subject received, in random order, treatments of a 7-day supply of placebo or Rhodiola rosca. They found hypoxia-induced oxidative stress was observed in the control group only. Rhodiola rosca appeared not to increase oxidative stress and may decrease free radical formation after hypoxic exposure compared with the control. [Wilderness Environ Med. 2003 Spring;14(1):9-16] Rhodiola may benefit people suffered from certain types of cardiac  and glucose-level conditions. Maimeskulova LA et al, Siberian Division of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Russia, repeated prophylactic administration of plant adaptogen preparations based on extracts from rhodiola, eleutherococcus, leuzea, and ginseng, produced a pronounced antiarrhythmic effect on the model of adrenal arrhythmia in animals. [Eksp Klin Farmakol. 2000 Jul-Aug;63(4):29-31] Lishmanov IuB et al, Russia, reported that a course injection of Rhodiola rosea extract for eight days could increase the resistance of experimental animals to adrenalin- or CaCl2-induced arrhythmias. They assumed the antiarrhythmic effect of Rhodiola injection course was associated with the induction of opioid peptides biosynthesis. [Biull Eksp Biol Med. 1993 Aug;116(8):175-6.] Lishmanov IuB et al stated that a course of oral administration of Rhodiola rosea extract in a dose of 3.5 mg/kg prevents reperfusion decrease in contraction amplitude of the isolated perfused rat heart in their article. They also suggested that the Rhodiola rosea extract also prevents reduction of coronary flow and development of contracture in the postischemic period and. the protective effect of Rhodiola may probably be connected with increase in the level of endogenous opioid peptides. [Eksp Klin Farmakol. 1997 May-Jun;60(3):34-6]. Zhang Z, Liu et al, China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing proved that Rhodiola Capsules could significantly decrease the oxygen consumption of myocardium and oxygen consumption index in anesthetic dogs, decrease the coronary artery resistance without any major effect on the coronary artery blood flow. They also found the capsules also lowered blood pressure and heart rate. [Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 1998 Feb;23(2):104-6, inside back] Maslova LV et al studied the effect of course of administration of Rhodiola rosea extract on the pattern of stress-induced cardiac damage. They used 99mTc-pyrophosphate accumulation in the heart as the parameter for the progress. They concluded that Rhodiola rosea prevented stress-induced cardiac damage. Simultaneously, they measured myocardial catecholamines and cAMP levels and found that the adaptogen prevented lower adrenal catecholamines during stress. They concluded that the antistressor and cardioprotective effects of Rhodiola rosea are associated with limited adrenergic effect on the heart. [Eksp Klin Farmakol. 1994 Nov-Dec;57(6):61-3.] Cheng XJ etal, Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Materia Medica of Jilin Province, China, isolated Rhodiola sachalinensis polysaccharides (RSP) from the root of Rhodiola sachalinensis and demonstrated that RSP could decrease the levels of blood sugar, liver glycogen and total blood lipid when injected peritoneally to mice at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg once or for 7 successive days. [Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 1993 Sep;18(9):557-9, 575] Rhodiolae may benefit people under stress. Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) has been used to protect the liver in traditional medicine for years. Zhu BW et al, Dalian Institute of Light Industry, China, believed that noise is one of the factors that induces critical stress in animals. They investigated the alleviation of noise-stress-induced physiological damages by traditional medicine using Rhodiolae radices. They used the contents of glycogen, lactic acid and cholesterol in the liver of noise-stressed rats as parameters. They found that noise induced stress in the rats with an evidence that a decrease in contents of these compounds in the liver.  And, Rhodiolae maintained the contents of these compounds in the liver of the rats [Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2003 Sep;67(9):1930-6] Song EK et al, Wonkwang University, Korea isolated two hepatoprotective phenolic compounds, kaempferol (2) and salidroside (4), based based on the hepatoprotective activity against tacrine-induced cytotoxicity in human liver-derived Hep G2 cells. Their The EC(50) values of compounds 2 and 4 were 33.5 and 51.3 micro m, respectively. [Phytother Res. 2003 May;17(5):563-5] Iaremii IN et al, Bukovinian State Medical Academy, Ukraine, studied the effect of a liquid extract from Rhodiola rosea on the functional state of rat liver with experimental toxic hepatitis. They found that the extract produced a hepatoprotective effect, as manifested by normalized activity of aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase, normalized content of medium-molecular-weight peptides, urea, and bilirubin, and reduced activity of alanine aminotransferase and glutathione-S-transferase in the blood plasma of rats with the toxic hepatitis model. [Eksp Klin Farmakol. 2002 Nov-Dec;65(6):57-9] Nan JX et al, Wonkwang University, Korea, induced liver injury of rats repetitive administration of carbon tetrachloride. This liver damage would elevate levels of hydroxyproline and malondialdehyde in the liver. They then fed the rats with an aqueous extract from the root of Rhodiola sachalinensis at doses of 50, 100 or 200 mg/kg throughout the carbon tetrachloride treatment for 28 days. They found that the extract reduced the levels of hydroxyproline and malondialdehyde. Immunohistological findings indicated the extracts inhibited hepatic stellate cell activation, which is a major step for collagen accumulation during liver injury. These data suggest that Rhodiola sachalinensis extracts protect the liver from repetitive injury induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats. [J Ethnopharmacol. 2003 Feb;84(2-3):143-8.] SIDE EFFECTS OF RHODIOLA ROSEA The use of Rhodiola rosea in recommended doses typically generates no side effects, unlike traditional stimulants that posses addiction, tolerance and abuse potential, produce a negative effect on sleep structure, and cause rebound hypersomnolence or "come down" effects. [1] THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, YOU SHOULD CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR. NOTE THAT MOST ARE JUST EITHER ANIMAL OR IN VITRO STUDIES, RHODIOLA MAY WORK DIFFERENTLY IN HUMAN BODY. IN ADDITION SOURCE, PURITY, DOSAGE FORM DESIGN WILL ALSO AFFECT THE RESULTS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2006 zhion. DO NOT COPY NOR TRANSFER THIS ARTICLE TO OTHER WEBSITES OR OTHER TYPES OF PUBLICATIONS WITHOUT PERMISSION. 1. A Panossian, H. Wagner Stimulating effect of adaptogens: an overview with particular reference to their efficacy following single dose administration Phytother Res. 2005 Oct;19(10):819-38.

THE PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS OF RHODIOLA Lee MW et al, Chung Ang University, Korea has furnished six phenolic compounds from Rhodiola sachalinensis root extract (acetone) which exhibited significant scavenging effects against DPPH free radical. They determined these compounds as follows: gallic acid (1), (-)-epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate (2), kaempferol (3), kaempferol 7-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (4), herbacetin 7-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside, (5) and rhodiolinin (6) by physico-chemical and spectral evidences. [Arch Pharm Res. 2000 Oct;23(5):455-8.]

"The ingredients of Rodiola effect the central nervous system by increasing the ability to concentrate. They also prevent the heart system from stress and arrhythmias, and posses some antioxidant activity.  Rhodiola rosea L. preparations may stop the growth of the malignant tumors and metastases in the liver." Kucinskaite A et al, "Experimental analysis of therapeutic properties of Rhodiola rosea L. and its possible application in medicine" Medicina (Kaunas). 2004;40(7):614-9. [Article in Lithuanian].