Rhodiola rosea

Rhodiola rosea is a perennial herb that belongs to the thick-bodied Crassulaceae family[1]. The plant’s name is derived from Greek and refers to the distinctive rose-like smell of its rhizomes and the pink color that appears when they are broken. The herb is also called golden root in some regions of the world due to the golden color and sheen of the raw material that appears after drying[2]. Rhodiola is commonly found in central and northern Asia. It can be found in Siberia and areas of Mongolia. Interestingly, this seemingly oriental plant is also present in high mountainous regions of Europe. In Poland, rhodiola can sometimes be found in damp rock crevices in the Sudeten and Carpathian regions[1]. The herbal raw material is the tuberous rhizomes and roots of the plant collected during the flowering and fruiting period[1,2].

Chemical composition

Characteristic compounds found in mountain rhodiola are cinnamic alcohol derivatives, collectively referred to as rosavins. Their detection makes it possible to identify the herbal raw material and exclude adulteration of the dried product. Phenolic compounds (salidroside), monoterpenes (rosaridin), flavonoids (rhodiolins), organic acids (gallic, hydroxycinnamic), tannins and essential oils are also present in rhodiola[1,2].

Pharmacological effects of Rhodiola rosea extracts described in scientific studies:

• Adaptogenic and stress-reducing effects,
• cardioprotective effects,
• antioxidant activity,
• Beneficial effects on the central nervous system, including effects on cognitive functions concentration and memory ability,
• Reducing feelings of fatigue,
• Antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects,
• beneficial effect on the endocrine system,
• Slowing down processes associated with aging[3].

It is worth noting, however, that these extremely promising therapeutic effects associated with the intake of rhodiola rosea extracts are currently under scientific investigation and have not yet been confirmed at a level that would allow products made from this raw material to be registered as medicines. 

Caution: dangerous drug interactions

Life-threatening interactions between supplements containing rhodiola rosea and drugs:

• Antidepressants: risk of serotonin syndrome,
• Haloperidol: cardiac arrhythmias,
• Benzodiazepines: psychosis, sedation, hallucinations[7].

Adaptogenic properties of the raw material

Rhodiola rosea was first recognized as an adaptogenic herb by Russian scientists. The term “adaptogen” was introduced in 1947 by scientist and physician Nikolai Lazarev. The researcher used the term to describe substances of plant origin that allow the body to better respond to physical, chemical and biological stressors, by way of an increased non-specific response of the immune and nervous systems toward a given stressor[2].

Adaptogens, by definition, are therefore herbs responsible for increasing individual resistance to stress[4]. Dietary supplements based on such plants are recommended as support for problems with learning, concentration or seasonal mood drops. Increasing stress resistance seemingly does not seem to have much of a connection to improving memory[5]. So what are such recommendations based on? Stress is an inalienable part of everyone’s life. It protects us from danger, as well as motivates us to act and achieve our goals. Unfortunately, a prolonged state of unending stress becomes detrimental to health. In the primordial, natural conditions for the human body, situations of a stressful nature were intense, often associated with an immediate threat to life, but short-lived. At such moments, the body of our ancestors went into “go” or “run” mode. Our body is adapted to such stressful states and quickly recovers from such events. For this reason, many people enjoy extreme sports. Unfortunately, constant stress shifts the body into a protracted “fight” state, accompanied by an increase in hormones such as corticosteroids. Such a state leads to a disruption of homeostasis, which in the long run can lead to the appearance of diseases and disorders of, for example, the nervous or circulatory systems.  

Tensions at work, an exam session, midterms or a difficult test can be examples of long-term stressful situations. In such cases, the intake of plant adaptogens can favorably affect the memory process and concentration, while reducing anxiety and nervousness[5]. It is also worth mentioning that plant adaptogenic compounds reduce the attraction to alcohol, which can also be beneficial for students during a period of intense study. Rhodiola rosea is one of the most popular and best-studied herbs with adaptogenic properties.

Adaptogen applications:

• Protection against diseases of civilization,
• Supporting the regeneration of the body,
• nutritional supplements for athletes,
• Prevention of processes associated with aging,
• reducing stress[5].

Rhodiola rosea protects against harmful stresses

Available experimental data indicate that Rhodiola is a herbal resource that supports the body in situations of acute stress. Even a single dose of Rhodiola rosea extract taken before a stressful event has been shown to help keep cognitive function and bodily performance high. Since many stressful situations are unexpected in nature, adaptogens that can be taken ad hoc in such circumstances represent a potentially very useful group of plant substances[3].

Rhodiola rosea also shows some beneficial cardioprotective activity in tests, independent of its adaptogenic potential. This activity is particularly beneficial in terms of its ability to mitigate stress-induced microdamage in cardiovascular tissue. For this reason, Rhodiola may be an adaptogen beneficial for patients at higher risk of cardiovascular disease[3]. In such cases, however, special attention should be paid to the potential risk of interaction of the plant’s raw material with medications taken.

Antidepressant effects of Rosacea

There are clinical studies indicating the therapeutic potential of rhodiola rosea in alleviating moderate depressive conditions. In one clinical trial, a standardized extract of R. rosea was shown to have a clear and significant antidepressant effect on patients suffering from mild depression. At a dose of two tablets, containing 170 mg of the extract, daily for a period of six weeks, a statistically significant reduction in the overall level of depressive symptoms, including insomnia and emotional instability, was observed[6].

Research summary

From a review of scientific studies on the therapeutic potential of rhodiola rosea, it can be concluded that there is ample evidence indicating that the substances contained in this plant have beneficial effects on cognitive function and well-being. These properties have been demonstrated in numerous preclinical studies and several clinical trials. The adaptogenic effects of rhodiola rosea benefit concentration and endurance in situations of stress, fatigue or general weakness. Rhodiola rosea also reduces the negative effects of stress on the functioning of the endocrine and immune systems.

Content and elaboration: doctor of pharmacy Sara Janowska

Literature:

1. Przybyl, J.; Weglarz, Z.; Pawelczak, A. Variability in the Circumference of Populations of Mountain Rosea (Rhodiola Rosea L.) With Regard to the Yield of Raw Material and the Content of Biologically Active Compounds. Proceedings of Agricultural Sciences 2004, 497(2).
2. Tajer, Agnieszka. Rhodiola Rosea L. As an Example of an Adaptogenic Plant. . In Annales Academiae Medicae Silesiensis 2011, 65.
3. Panossian, A.; Wikman, G.; Sarris, J. Rosenroot (Rhodiola Rosea): Traditional Use, Chemical Composition, Pharmacology and Clinical Efficacy. Phytomedicine 2010, 17, 481-493, doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2010.02.002.
4. Gerontakos, S.E.; Casteleijn, D.; Shikov, A.N.; Wardle, J. A Critical Review to Identify the Domains Used to Measure the Effect and Outcome of Adaptogenic Herbal Medicines. Yale J Biol Med 2020, 93, 327-346.
5. Panossian, A.; Wikman, G. Effects of Adaptogens on the Central Nervous System and the Molecular Mechanisms Associated with Their Stress-Protective Activity. Pharmaceuticals 2010, 3, 188-224, doi:10.3390/ph3010188.
6. Darbinyan, V.; Aslanyan, G.; Amroyan, E.; Gabrielyan, E.; Malmström, C.; Panossian, A. Clinical Trial of Rhodiola Rosea L. Extract SHR-5 in the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Depression. Nord J Psychiatry 2007, 61, 343-348, doi:10.1080/08039480701643290.

7. Woroń, J.; Siwek, M. Unwanted Effects of Psychotropic Drug Interactions with Medicinal Products and Diet Supplements Containing Plant Extracts. Psychiatr Pol 2018, 52, 983-996, doi:10.12740/PP/OnlineFirst/80998.