Rhodiola Rosea (Rhodiola rosea) as a tool for helping with Fatigue / low energy

This review of at least sixteen human investigations indicates that adequately dosed Rhodiola rosea supplementation can prolong time-to-exhaustion and improve exercise performance, with mechanisms including modulation of energy substrates, reduced fatigue and muscle damage, and altered antioxidant activity.

This review summarises the encouraging clinical evidence that Rhodiola rosea L. preparations alleviate life-stress symptoms, stress-induced fatigue, burnout, cognitive impairment and related conditions, supporting its adaptogenic use.

This systematic review of 11 controlled trials found that some evidence suggests Rhodiola rosea may enhance physical performance and alleviate mental fatigue, although methodological flaws limit definitive assessment of efficacy.

This review summarises the chemical composition, adaptogenic pharmacology (neuroprotective, cardioprotective, anti-fatigue, antidepressive, anxiolytic, nootropic, CNS-stimulating) and clinical efficacy of Rhodiola rosea, with robust evidence in fatigue and emerging evidence for cognition and mood.

The aim of this review article was to summarize accumulated information related to chemical composition, pharmacological activity, traditional and official use of Rhodiola rosea L. in medicine. In total approximately 140 compounds were isolated from roots and rhizome - monoterpene alcohols and their glycosides, cyanogenic glycosides, aryl glycosides, phenylethanoids, phenylpropanoids and their glycosides, flavonoids, flavonlignans, proanthocyanidins and gallic acid derivatives. Studies on isolated organs, tissues, cells and enzymes have revealed that Rhodiola preparations exhibit adaptogenic effect including, neuroprotective, cardioprotectiv e, anti-fatigue, antidepressive, anxiolytic, nootropic, life-span increasing effects and CNS stimulating activity. A number of clinical trials demonstrate that repeated administration of R. rosea extract SHR-5 exerts an anti-fatigue effect that increases mental performance (particularly the ability to concentrate in healthy subjects), and reduces burnout in patients with fatigue syndrome. Encouraging results exist for the use of Rhodiola in mild to moderate depression, and generalized anxiety. Several mechanisms of action possibly contributing to the clinical effect have been identified for Rhodiola extracts. They include interactions with HPA-system (cortisol-reducing), protein kinases p-JNK, nitric oxide, and defense mechanism proteins (e.g. heat shock proteins Hsp 70 and FoxO/DAF-16). Lack of interaction with other drugs and adverse effects in the course of clinical trials make it potentially attractive for use as a safe medication. In conclusion, Rhodiola rosea has robust traditional and pharmacological evidence of use in fatigue, and emerging evidence supporting cognition and mood.

In a phase III randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial in 60 subjects with stress-related fatigue, the standardised Rhodiola rosea root extract SHR-5 (576 mg/day for 28 days) exerted an anti-fatigue effect, increased mental performance and concentration, and decreased the cortisol response to awakening stress.

Rhodiola rosea is a popular plant in traditional medical systems in Eastern Europe and Asian with a reputation for stimulating the nervous system, decreasing depression, enhancing work performance, eliminating fatigue, and preventing high altitude sickness. Rhodiola rosea has been categorized as an adaptogen by Russian researchers due to its observed ability to increase resistance to a variety of chemical, biological, and physical stressors. Its claimed benefits include antidepressant, anticancer, cardioprotective, and central nervous system enhancement. Research also indicates great utility in asthenic conditions (decline in work performance, sleep difficulties, poor appetite, irritability, hypertension, headaches, and fatigue) developing subsequent to intense physical or intellectual strain. The adaptogenic, cardiopulmonary protective, and central nervous system activities of Rhodiola rosea have been attributed primarily to its ability to influence levels and activity of monoamines and opioid peptides such as beta-endorphins.