Rhodiola rosea

Taxobox | name = "Rhodiola rosea (Golden Root)"

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image_width = 250px
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Saxifragales
familia = Crassulaceae
genus = "Rhodiola"
species = "R. rosea"
binomial = "Rhodiola rosea"
binomial_authority = L. [cite web
url=http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Rhodiola+rosea
title=Rhodiola rosea - Plants For A Future database report
publisher=www.pfaf.org
accessdate=2008-02-23
last=
first=]
synonyms = "Sedum rosea" (L.) Scop. "Sedum rhodiola" DC. "Rhodiola arctica" Boriss. "Rhodiola iremelica" Boriss. "Rhodiola scopolii" Simonk. "Sedum scopolii" Simonk.

"Rhodiola rosea" (Golden Root, Roseroot) is a plant in the Crassulaceae family that grows in cold regions of the world. These include much of the Arctic, the mountains of Central Asia, the Rocky Mountains, and mountainous parts of Europe, such as the Alps, Pyrenees, Carpathian Mountains, Scandinavia, Iceland, Great Britain and Ireland.

Uses of "Rhodiola rosea"

Rhodiola rosea may be effective for improving mood and alleviating depression. Pilot studies on human subjects [ [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12725561 Shevtsov VA et al. A randomized trial of two different doses of a SHR-5 Rhodiola rosea extract versus placebo and control of capacity for mental work. Phytomedicine. 2003 Mar;10(2-3):95-105.] ] [ [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11081987 Darbinyan V et al. Rhodiola rosea in stress induced fatigue--a double blind cross-over study of a standardized extract SHR-5 with a repeated low-dose regimen on the mental performance of healthy physicians during night duty. Phytomedicine. 2000 Oct;7(5):365-71.] ] [ [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12423559 Ha Z et al. The effect of rhodiola and acetazolamide on the sleep architecture and blood oxygen saturation in men living at high altitude. Zhonghua Jie He He Hu Xi Za Zhi. 2002 Sep;25(9):527-30.] ] showed that it improves physical and mental performance, reduces fatigue, and minimizes high-altitude sickness.

Rhodiola rosea's effects potentially are related to optimizing serotonin and dopamine levels due to monoamine oxidase inhibition and its influence on opioid peptides such as beta-endorphins,fact|date=March 2008 although these specific neurochemical mechanisms have not been clearly documented with scientific studies.

Rhodiola is included among a class of plant derivatives called adaptogens which differ from chemical stimulants, such as nicotine, and do not have the same physiological effects.

In Russia and Scandinavia, "Rhodiola rosea", also known as golden root, has been used for centuries to cope with the cold Siberian climate and stressful life.fact|date=June 2008 Such effects were provided evidence in laboratory models of stress using the nematode, C. elegans, [ [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18536978 Wiegant FA et al. Plant adaptogens increase lifespan and stress resistance in C. elegans. Biogerontology. 2008 Jun 7. [Epub ahead of print] ] and in rats in which Rhodiola effectively prevented stress-induced changes in appetite, physical activity, weight gain and the estrus cycle. [ [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18515456 Mattioli L, Funari C, Perfumi M. Effects of Rhodiola rosea L. extract on behavioural and physiological alterations induced by chronic mild stress in female rats. J Psychopharmacol. 2008 May 30. [Epub ahead of print] ]

Rhodiola may be inappropriately called "Arctic Root" which is a trademark held by the Swedish Herbal Institute for SHR-5, the Rhodiola extract tested in several studies referenced in this article. Rhodiola has been used in traditional Chinese medicine where it is called "hóng jǐng tiān" ().

Phytochemicals and potential health effects

Rhodiola rosea contains a variety of compounds that may contribute to its effects, [Kucinskaite A, Briedis V, Savickas A. Experimental analysis of therapeutic properties of Rhodiola rosea L. and its possible application in medicine. (Lithuanian) "Medicina (Kaunas)". 2004;40(7):614-9. PMID 15252224] including the class of "rosavins" which include rosavin, rosarin, and rosin. Several studies have suggested that the most active components are likely to be rhodioloside and tyrosol, [Mao Y, Li Y, Yao N. Simultaneous determination of salidroside and tyrosol in extracts of Rhodiola L. by microwave assisted extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography. "Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis". 2007 Nov 5;45(3):510-5. PMID 17628386] with other components being inactive when administered alone, but showing synergistic effects when a fixed combination of rhodioloside, rosavin, rosarin and rosin was used. [Panossian A, Nikoyan N, Ohanyan N, Hovhannisyan A, Abrahamyan H, Gabrielyan E, Wikman G. Comparative study of Rhodiola preparations on behavioral despair of rats. "Phytomedicine". 2008 Jan;15(1-2):84-91. PMID 18054474] Also, the word "Rosavin" is a brand name for a particular brand of Rhodiola extract.

Although rosavin, rosarin, rosin and salidroside (and sometimes p-tyrosol, rhodioniside, rhodiolin and rosiridin) are among suspected active ingredients of "Rhodiola rosea," these compounds are mostly polyphenols for which no physiological effect in humans is proved to prevent or reduce risk of disease. [ [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17643453 Boudet AM. Evolution and current status of research in phenolic compounds. Phytochemistry. 2007 Nov-Dec;68(22-24):2722-35.] ]

Although these phytochemicals are typically mentioned as specific to Rhodiola extracts, there are many other constituent phenolic antioxidants, including proanthocyanidins, quercetin, gallic acid, chlorogenic acid and kaempferol. [ [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16956631 Yousef GG, Grace MH, Cheng DM, Belolipov IV, Raskin I, Lila MA. Comparative phytochemical characterization of three Rhodiola species. Phytochemistry. 2006 Nov;67(21):2380-91.] ] [ [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18533499 Liu Q, Liu ZL, Tian X. Phenolic components from Rhodiola dumulosa. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2008 Feb;33(4):411-3.] ]

While animal tests have suggested a variety of beneficial effects for "Rhodiola rosea" extracts, [Perfumi M, Mattioli L. Adaptogenic and central nervous system effects of single doses of 3% rosavin and 1% salidroside Rhodiola rosea L. extract in mice. "Phytotherapy Research". 2007 Jan;21(1):37-43. PMID 17072830] only for depression is there scientific evidence for Rhodiola components having anti-disease benefits in humans. A clinical trial showed significant effect for SHR-5 Rhodiola extract in doses of 340-680 mg per day in 18-70 year old male and female patients with mild-to-moderate depression. [ [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17990195 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(5):343-8.] ] Studies on whether Rhodiola improves physical performance have been inconclusive, with some studies showing some benefit, [De Bock K, Eijnde BO, Ramaekers M, Hespel P. Acute Rhodiola rosea intake can improve endurance exercise performance. "International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism". 2004 Jun;14(3):298-307. PMID 15256690] while others show no significant difference. [Walker TB, Altobelli SA, Caprihan A, Robergs RA. Failure of Rhodiola rosea to alter skeletal muscle phosphate kinetics in trained men. "Metabolism". 2007 Aug;56(8):1111-7. PMID 17618958]

Dosage

Rhodiola rosea extract is mainly used in the form of capsules or a tablet. These dosage forms usually contain 100 mg of a standardized amount of 3 percent rosavins and 0.8-1 percent salidroside because the naturally occurring ratio of these compounds in Rhodiola rosea root is approximately 3:1. Some companies believe that there are as many as 12 active biochemical compounds in the plant and do not subscribe to what they perceive as "artificial" standardization on only two of those compounds.

A typical dosage is one or two capsules or tablets daily; one in the morning and when taking two, one in the early afternoon. Rhodiola rosea should be taken early in the day because for some it can interfere with sleep. Others can take it in the evening with no effect on sleep patterns. If a user becomes overly activated, jittery or agitated then a smaller dose with very gradual increases may be needed. It is contraindicated in excited states.

The dose may be increased to 200 mg three times a day if needed. A high dose is considered to be daily intakes of 1,000 mg and above.

However, in the Swedish clinical trial on treating depression cited above, total effective doses were in the range of 340-680 mg per day for 18-70 year old adults, with no side effects demonstrated at these doses.

Other adaptogens

* "Panax ginseng" (Panax Ginseng)
* "Panax quinquefolius" (American Ginseng)
* "Eleutherococcus senticosus" (Eleuthero, formerly known as Siberian Ginseng)
* "Withania somnifera" (Ashwaganda)
* "Gynostemma pentaphyllum" ("jiaogulan")
* "Ocimum tenuiflorum" (Holy Basil or Tulsi)
* "Cordyceps sinensis" (Cordyceps)
* "Rhaponticum carthamoides" (Rhaponticum)
* "Ganoderma lucidum" (Reishi)

References

External links

* Science News Online, [http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20070922/bob8.asp Warming to a Cold War Herb]
* Third Age, [http://www.thirdage.com/ebsco/files/111798.html ThirdAge: Rhodiola rosea]
* American Botanical Council, [http://content.herbalgram.org/abc/herbalgram/articleview.asp?a=2333 Rhodiola rosea: A Phytomedicinal Overview]
* Whole Health MD, [http://www.wholehealthmd.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=17E09E7CFFF640448FFB0B4FC1B7FEF0&nm=Reference+Library&type=AWHN_Supplements&mod=Supplements&mid=&id=BC6009ED692E4496AB9D44084CC3E746&tier=2 Reference Library]
* Alternative Medicine, [http://www.alternativemedicine.com/common/news/store_news.asp?task=store_news&SID_store_news=552&storeID=02AD61F001A74B5887D3BD11F6C28169 The Herb that Came In from the Cold]
* [http://www.mdidea.com/products/herbextract/salidroside/data.html "Rhodiola rosea" Information (www.mdidea.com)]

Critical of effects on mountain sickness
* Wilderness Medical Society, [http://www.wemjournal.org/wmsonline/?request=get-document&issn=1080-6032&volume=014&issue=01&page=0009 Lack of Effect of Rhodiola on Hypoxemia and Oxidative Stress]
* Swedish Medical Center, [http://www.swedish.org/111650.cfm Acute Mountain Sickness]