Dr. Zakir Ramazanov, Dr. Musa Abidoff03.01.00
Rhodiola rosea, (Golden root), is an indigenous plant to the cold Arctic regions of Siberia (1,2). Because of its extraordinary positive mood enhancing and anti-depressant properties, R. rosea is becoming increasingly popular in the United States, Europe and in the rest of the World.
History: The use of R. rosea has a legendary history for good health and longevity. In Siberia it is still said that, "People who drink Rhodiola tea will live to more than 100 years old". For many centuries Chinese Emperors sent special expeditions to Siberia to find places where the "Mysterious Golden root" grew, to bring "the healing power of golden root back to China". Rhodiola tea was found to be the most effective in relieving stress and depression and for treatment of cold and flu (1-5). The release of information related to human clinical studies on Rhodiola rosea from the former Soviet Union has dramatically increased the interest to this medicinal plant.
Clinical research: The effects of excessive stress in modern life leads to chronic states of fatigue-related depression. This is an unfortunate fact yet true that about 80% of all illness can be traced back to stress and depression. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians and Russian Department of Family Care about 2/3 of all office visits are related to stress.
For centuries people around the world have been using herbal remedies to help their bodies deal with the effects of stress. Ancient cultures revered adaptogenic herbs like Rhodiola rosea for their stress-enhancing properties. The need for such plants has never been so important as it is today.
Golden root is probable the least-known adaptogen in the West, and yet, maybe the most impressive of all. Several clinical trials with double-blind placebo controls provided strong evidence that R. rosea extract possess positive mood enhancing and anti-stress properties with no detectable levels of toxicity (2-5).
The Rhodiola rosea extract has been shown to have a positive influence on the higher nervous system, increasing attention span, memory, strength and mobility of the human body, improving mental ability, primarily enhancing the qualitative indicators of the performed work (2).
Rhodiola's ability to help the body adapt to stress may lie in its ability to enhance the level of serotonin, dopamine and other brain neurotransmitters. Serotonin and dopamine are normally broken down by the enzyme catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) and active compounds extracted from Rhodiola rosea shown to inhibit the activity of COMT. Saratikov and Marina, prominent Soviet scientists, have shown that R. rosea can increase the level of neurotransmitters by 30 percent and decrease COMT activity by 60 percent (2-7).
Rhodiola's proven effectiveness for depression has led Russian scientist to use it in combination with antidepressants. Patients' general activity, intellectual and physical productivity levels increased while length of stay in the hospital and side effects associated with tricyclic antidepressants decreased. R. rosea is a safe and effective adjunct to conventional antidepressant therapy (2-9).
Rhodiola rosea-weight management and performance: Fat accumulated in adipose tissue is very stubborn to reduce. It is a very difficult task to force this unwanted fat out of the body. Fat stored in adipose tissue can be mobilized by action of a special type enzyme known as hormone sensitive lipase. For many years researchers have been searching for natural substances that could specifically activate the release of fat from adipose tissue. Remarkably, this important property was discovered in R. rosea. More than thirty years of research, concealed from West, provide fascinating evidence that the administration of R. rosea to both healthy volunteers and obese patients specifically mobilized fat from adipose tissue (2). Nature's gift for healthy weight management!
Rhodiola rosea stimulates the energy production: According to information released from the Moscow Institute of Physical Culture, Russia's leading center of athletic performance research, R. rosea extract provides a safe, powerful boost to any exercising body ranging from Olympic athletes to the recreational exerciser. R. rosea can help oxygenate the brain as well as the muscles and gives a person a dramatic boost in their energy level (N. Volkov, Moscow Institute of Physical Culture,1995).
R. rosea has been shown to significantly increase muscle adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and creatine phosphate (CP) levels by increasing the levels of energy-rich fatty acids released from adipose tissue. The human body uses ATP and CP, often called high-energy phosphate compounds, as major source of energy (2).
According to Prof. Saratikov the administration of R. rosea extract increases significantly the level of ATP and CP in the tissue of experimental animals and stabilized the ultrastructural organization of mitochondria during hypoxia.
In another study, Azizov & Seifulla (10) demonstrated that the administration of Russian sport herbal formulas "Elton and Adapton" based on extracted from Rhodiola rosea, Leuzea, Schizandra and Siberian ginseng increased in running time on the tread-bane by the 10th day of medication to 213%.
In 1975 the Pharmacological Committee of the USSR Ministry of Health, on the basis of positive results of a decade of clinical trials authorized for medical use, began commercial production of the extract of Rhodiola rosea. The preparation was registered as No. 75/933/14 and was authorized for release for medical purposes under the name "liquid extract of Rhodiola rosea".
Chemistry of Rhodiola rosea : Botanists have identified more than 20 species of Rhodiola and just a few of which have undergone serious intensive investigation (1-9). The chemical composition and pharmacological activity of Rhodiola is strongly a species-dependent phenomenon. The most important chemical molecules that were clinically relevant and specific to Rhodiola rosea species are rosavin, rosin and rosarin. Out of all the different species, R. rosea is the most biologically active and clinically tested to be safe for human consumption (2-9).
Unfortunately, some products under the name "Rhodiola rosea" are currently available on the U.S. market and show no presence of rosavin. They are standardized using salidroside and meaningless total polyphenols as a marker compound. It is absolutely evident that the presence of salidroside is not specific to Rhodiola rosea (see below).
Rosavin, rosin and rosarin Salidroside
Rhodiola rosea Yes Yes
Rhodiola crenulata (China) NO Yes
Rhodiola kirilowii (China) NO Yes
All other Rhodiola species NO Yes
White willow bark NO Yes
Rhododendron NO Yes
Cranberry leaves NO Yes
Blueberry leaves NO Yes
Bacteria &Yeast NO Yes
Algae NO Yes
Plants outside of Rhodiola genus, algae, and some bacteria and yeast also contain salidroside. Therefore, the use of salidroside or just total polyphenols for the identification and standardization of Rhodiola rosea is inaccurate and provides an "open door" for adulteration. Apparently, the increased popularity of R. rosea extract now makes it a target for ineffective substitutes being sold to a public still too naïve to protect itself from low quality cheap alternatives. Unfortunately this is a sad tale that is all too familiar to experienced innovators in the natural products industry (1-7).
The public does not yet fully understand that only true R. rosea extract containing sufficient standardized levels of its unique active constituents: rosavin, rosin and rosarin, can insure that the consumer will get the one form of the product that does work!
Despite its rising popularity, public education about R. rosea is still in its infancy. That is why articles like this are an essential "preventive medicine" against the abuses and destructive consequences of new product misinformation typically used to justify substitution/adulteration.
The tragedy, of course, is that continuing misinformation will eventually destroy public enthusiasm for the real Rhodiola rosea and diminish its bright future (not only of R. rosea). Disappointed consumers will once again warn regulators and industry critics that they cannot trust the "unregulated natural products industry".
Rhodiola rosea is a perfect case study of how the natural products industry continually sets itself up for attack by its critics and regulators because of its historical inability to prevent this kind of abuse.
Telling the truth about genetically true Rhodiola rosea extract is a perfect opportunity to demonstrate the natural product industry's ability to prevent this recurrent threat while setting a new standard of validity and integrity. Demand that the truth be told about real R. rosea extract and all other herbal medicines to insure that consumers get the benefits they expect and deserve for the good of our loyal public. This will establish legitimate rewards to those companies in phyto-medicinal industry who are willing to risk real innovation! The opportunity exists, because the problem persists!
The traditional statements such as "an independent reference standard is not available or HPLC method has not been validated" does not work anymore! Suppliers or manufacturers with good international reputations have already found the way to identify genetically true species of R. rosea and HPLC methods for its standardization. Regardless who is your supplier or manufacturer please ask for fully active Rhodiola rosea containing rosavin, rosin and rosarin.
History: The use of R. rosea has a legendary history for good health and longevity. In Siberia it is still said that, "People who drink Rhodiola tea will live to more than 100 years old". For many centuries Chinese Emperors sent special expeditions to Siberia to find places where the "Mysterious Golden root" grew, to bring "the healing power of golden root back to China". Rhodiola tea was found to be the most effective in relieving stress and depression and for treatment of cold and flu (1-5). The release of information related to human clinical studies on Rhodiola rosea from the former Soviet Union has dramatically increased the interest to this medicinal plant.
Clinical research: The effects of excessive stress in modern life leads to chronic states of fatigue-related depression. This is an unfortunate fact yet true that about 80% of all illness can be traced back to stress and depression. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians and Russian Department of Family Care about 2/3 of all office visits are related to stress.
For centuries people around the world have been using herbal remedies to help their bodies deal with the effects of stress. Ancient cultures revered adaptogenic herbs like Rhodiola rosea for their stress-enhancing properties. The need for such plants has never been so important as it is today.
Golden root is probable the least-known adaptogen in the West, and yet, maybe the most impressive of all. Several clinical trials with double-blind placebo controls provided strong evidence that R. rosea extract possess positive mood enhancing and anti-stress properties with no detectable levels of toxicity (2-5).
The Rhodiola rosea extract has been shown to have a positive influence on the higher nervous system, increasing attention span, memory, strength and mobility of the human body, improving mental ability, primarily enhancing the qualitative indicators of the performed work (2).
Rhodiola's ability to help the body adapt to stress may lie in its ability to enhance the level of serotonin, dopamine and other brain neurotransmitters. Serotonin and dopamine are normally broken down by the enzyme catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) and active compounds extracted from Rhodiola rosea shown to inhibit the activity of COMT. Saratikov and Marina, prominent Soviet scientists, have shown that R. rosea can increase the level of neurotransmitters by 30 percent and decrease COMT activity by 60 percent (2-7).
Rhodiola's proven effectiveness for depression has led Russian scientist to use it in combination with antidepressants. Patients' general activity, intellectual and physical productivity levels increased while length of stay in the hospital and side effects associated with tricyclic antidepressants decreased. R. rosea is a safe and effective adjunct to conventional antidepressant therapy (2-9).
Rhodiola rosea-weight management and performance: Fat accumulated in adipose tissue is very stubborn to reduce. It is a very difficult task to force this unwanted fat out of the body. Fat stored in adipose tissue can be mobilized by action of a special type enzyme known as hormone sensitive lipase. For many years researchers have been searching for natural substances that could specifically activate the release of fat from adipose tissue. Remarkably, this important property was discovered in R. rosea. More than thirty years of research, concealed from West, provide fascinating evidence that the administration of R. rosea to both healthy volunteers and obese patients specifically mobilized fat from adipose tissue (2). Nature's gift for healthy weight management!
Rhodiola rosea stimulates the energy production: According to information released from the Moscow Institute of Physical Culture, Russia's leading center of athletic performance research, R. rosea extract provides a safe, powerful boost to any exercising body ranging from Olympic athletes to the recreational exerciser. R. rosea can help oxygenate the brain as well as the muscles and gives a person a dramatic boost in their energy level (N. Volkov, Moscow Institute of Physical Culture,1995).
R. rosea has been shown to significantly increase muscle adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and creatine phosphate (CP) levels by increasing the levels of energy-rich fatty acids released from adipose tissue. The human body uses ATP and CP, often called high-energy phosphate compounds, as major source of energy (2).
According to Prof. Saratikov the administration of R. rosea extract increases significantly the level of ATP and CP in the tissue of experimental animals and stabilized the ultrastructural organization of mitochondria during hypoxia.
In another study, Azizov & Seifulla (10) demonstrated that the administration of Russian sport herbal formulas "Elton and Adapton" based on extracted from Rhodiola rosea, Leuzea, Schizandra and Siberian ginseng increased in running time on the tread-bane by the 10th day of medication to 213%.
In 1975 the Pharmacological Committee of the USSR Ministry of Health, on the basis of positive results of a decade of clinical trials authorized for medical use, began commercial production of the extract of Rhodiola rosea. The preparation was registered as No. 75/933/14 and was authorized for release for medical purposes under the name "liquid extract of Rhodiola rosea".
Chemistry of Rhodiola rosea : Botanists have identified more than 20 species of Rhodiola and just a few of which have undergone serious intensive investigation (1-9). The chemical composition and pharmacological activity of Rhodiola is strongly a species-dependent phenomenon. The most important chemical molecules that were clinically relevant and specific to Rhodiola rosea species are rosavin, rosin and rosarin. Out of all the different species, R. rosea is the most biologically active and clinically tested to be safe for human consumption (2-9).
Unfortunately, some products under the name "Rhodiola rosea" are currently available on the U.S. market and show no presence of rosavin. They are standardized using salidroside and meaningless total polyphenols as a marker compound. It is absolutely evident that the presence of salidroside is not specific to Rhodiola rosea (see below).
Rosavin, rosin and rosarin Salidroside
Rhodiola rosea Yes Yes
Rhodiola crenulata (China) NO Yes
Rhodiola kirilowii (China) NO Yes
All other Rhodiola species NO Yes
White willow bark NO Yes
Rhododendron NO Yes
Cranberry leaves NO Yes
Blueberry leaves NO Yes
Bacteria &Yeast NO Yes
Algae NO Yes
Plants outside of Rhodiola genus, algae, and some bacteria and yeast also contain salidroside. Therefore, the use of salidroside or just total polyphenols for the identification and standardization of Rhodiola rosea is inaccurate and provides an "open door" for adulteration. Apparently, the increased popularity of R. rosea extract now makes it a target for ineffective substitutes being sold to a public still too naïve to protect itself from low quality cheap alternatives. Unfortunately this is a sad tale that is all too familiar to experienced innovators in the natural products industry (1-7).
The public does not yet fully understand that only true R. rosea extract containing sufficient standardized levels of its unique active constituents: rosavin, rosin and rosarin, can insure that the consumer will get the one form of the product that does work!
Despite its rising popularity, public education about R. rosea is still in its infancy. That is why articles like this are an essential "preventive medicine" against the abuses and destructive consequences of new product misinformation typically used to justify substitution/adulteration.
The tragedy, of course, is that continuing misinformation will eventually destroy public enthusiasm for the real Rhodiola rosea and diminish its bright future (not only of R. rosea). Disappointed consumers will once again warn regulators and industry critics that they cannot trust the "unregulated natural products industry".
Rhodiola rosea is a perfect case study of how the natural products industry continually sets itself up for attack by its critics and regulators because of its historical inability to prevent this kind of abuse.
Telling the truth about genetically true Rhodiola rosea extract is a perfect opportunity to demonstrate the natural product industry's ability to prevent this recurrent threat while setting a new standard of validity and integrity. Demand that the truth be told about real R. rosea extract and all other herbal medicines to insure that consumers get the benefits they expect and deserve for the good of our loyal public. This will establish legitimate rewards to those companies in phyto-medicinal industry who are willing to risk real innovation! The opportunity exists, because the problem persists!
The traditional statements such as "an independent reference standard is not available or HPLC method has not been validated" does not work anymore! Suppliers or manufacturers with good international reputations have already found the way to identify genetically true species of R. rosea and HPLC methods for its standardization. Regardless who is your supplier or manufacturer please ask for fully active Rhodiola rosea containing rosavin, rosin and rosarin.
References:
1. Kurkin VA, Zapesochnaya GG. (1986) Chem-Pharm J, 20 pp. 1231-1244
2. Saratikov AS., Krasnov EA. 1987. Rhodiola rosea is a valuable Medicinal Plant, Tomsk. p 252
3. Maslova LV, et al. (1994) Exp. and Clin. Pharm., 57(6): 61-63
4. Petrov VD, et al. (1986) Acta Phys Pharm Bulgar, 12(1): 3-16.
5. Kurkin VA (1996). Phenylpropanoids-natural bioactive compounds. Samara, Russia
6. Bikov VA et al. (1999). Pharm & Toxicol. Medicinal plants 28-39
7. Krendal FP et al. (1990) Kharkov, USSR, pp. 31-32
8. Kurkin VA et al. (1984) Chem of natural products, N5 pp. 657-658
9. Kurkin VA et al. (1985) Chem Pharm J, 19:3 185-190
10. Azizov AP et al. (1998) J. Exp. Clin. Pharm., 61 (1):60-2
