TL;DR: Evidence of the efficacy of R. rosea extracts after a single administration is provided, and many preclinical and clinical studies indicating the adaptogenic and stimulating effects of such R.rosea extracts are confirmed, as antidepressant‐like and anxiolytic‐like activities of R.'s rosea were shown for the first time.
Abstract: Rhodiola rosea L., or 'golden root', is a popular plant in traditional medicine in Eastern Europe and Asia, with a reputation for improving depression, enhancing work performance, eliminating fatigue and treating symptoms of asthenia subsequent to intense physical and psychological stress. Due to these therapeutic properties, R. rosea is considered to be one of the most active adaptogenic drugs. To confirm and extend results obtained in the few preclinical and clinical studies available in English language journals, the purpose of the present study was to re-investigate the effects produced by a single oral administration of an R. rosea hydroalcohol extract (containing 3% rosavin and 1% salidroside) on the central nervous system in mice. The extract was tested on antidepressant, adaptogenic, anxiolytic, nociceptive and locomotor activities at doses of 10, 15 and 20 mg/kg, using predictive behavioural tests and animal models. The results show that this R. rosea extract significantly, but not dose-dependently, induced antidepressant-like, adaptogenic, anxiolytic-like and stimulating effects in mice. This study thus provides evidence of the efficacy of R. rosea extracts after a single administration, and confirms many preclinical and clinical studies indicating the adaptogenic and stimulating effects of such R. rosea extracts. Moreover, antidepressant-like and anxiolytic-like activities of R. rosea were shown in mice for the first time.
TL;DR: Acute Rhodiola rosea intake can improve endurance exercise capacity in young healthy volunteers and this response was not altered by prior daily 4-week Rhodiola intake.
Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of acute and 4-week Rhodiola rosea intake on physical capacity, muscle strength, speed of limb movement, reaction time, and attention. Methods: PHASE I: A double blind placebo-controlled randomized study (n = 24) was performed, consisting of 2 sessions (2 days per session). Day 1: One hour after acute Rhodiola rosea intake (R, 200-mg Rhodiola rosea extract containing 3% rosavin + 1% salidroside plus 500 mg starch) or placebo (P, 700 mg starch) speed of limb movement (plate tapping test), aural and visual reaction time, and the ability to sustain attention (Fepsy Vigilance test) were assessed. Day 2: Following the same intake procedure as on day 1, maximal isometric knee-extension torque and endurance exercise capacity were tested. Following a 5-day washout period, the experimental procedure was repeated, with the treatment regimens being switched between groups (session 2). PHASE II: A double blind placebo-controlled study (n = 12) was perfo...
TL;DR: An HPLC method permitting the first simultaneous detection of 5 marker compounds of R. rosea offers efficient and reliable means for the evaluation of the plant material and commercial products.
Abstract: An HPLC method permitting the first simultaneous detection of 5 marker compounds (salidroside, rosarin, rosavin, rosin, rosiridin) of R. rosea was developed. A separation was achieved within 27 min by using C-18 column material, a phosphate buffer/acetonitrile gradient system and at a separation temperature of 60 degrees C. All five compounds could be detected at concentrations as low as 0.62 microg/ml and were clearly assignable in R. rosea plant material and commercial products. Therefore, this quantitative and qualitative applicability of the method offers efficient and reliable means for the evaluation of R. rosea and products thereof.
TL;DR: Four compounds were isolated from aqueous methanol extract of the plant and identified as cinnamyl-(6'-O- beta-xylopyranosyl)-O-beta-glucopyranuside, picein and benzyl-O-alpha-arabinopyranoyl; new natural compounds whereas compounds 10 and 11 were isolated first time from R. rosea.
Abstract: Rhodiola rosea L. (Golden Root) has been used for a long time as an adaptogen in Chinese traditional medicine and is reported to have many pharmacological properties. Along its known secondary metabolites tyrosol (1), salidroside (rhodioloside) (2), rosin (3), rosarin (4), rosavin (5), sachaliside 1 (6) and 4-methoxy-cinnamyl-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (7), four compounds were isolated from aqueous methanol extract of the plant and identified as cinnamyl-(6′-O-β-xylopyranosyl)-O-β-glucopyranoside (8), 4-methoxy-cinnamyl-(6′-O-α-arabinopyranosyl)-O-β-glucopyranoside (9), picein (10) and benzyl-O-β-glucopyranoside (11) by UV, MS and NMR methods. Compounds 8 and 9 are new natural compounds whereas compounds 10 and 11 were isolated first time from R. rosea. Also the compounds 6 and 7 are isolated earlier only from the callus cultures of the plant but not from the differentiated plant.
TL;DR: In this article, a simple method for preparative separation and purification of rosavin from Rhodiola rosea L. was developed with macroporous adsorption resins.