Rhodiola rosea as an adaptogen to enhance exercise performance: a review of the literature

Controlled Cultivation Confers Rhodiola rosea Synergistic Activity on Muscle Cell Homeostasis, Metabolism and Antioxidant Defense in Primary Human Myoblasts

Rhodiola rosea L. is recognized for its adaptogenic properties and ability to promote muscle health, function and recovery from exercise. The plethora of biological effects of this plant is ascribed to the synergism existing among the molecules composing its phytocomplex. In this manuscript, we analyze the activity of a bioactive fraction extracted from Rhodiola rosea L. controlled cultivation. Biological assays were performed on human skeletal myoblasts and revealed that the extract is able to modulate in vitro expression of transcription factors, namely Pax7 and myoD, involved in muscle differentiation and recovery. The extract also promotes ROS scavenging, ATP production and mitochondrial respiration. Untargeted metabolomics further reveals that the mechanism underpinning the plant involves the synergistic interconnection between antioxidant enzymes and the folic/acid polyamine pathway. Finally, by examining the phytochemical profiles of the extract, we identify the specific combination of secondary plant metabolites contributing to muscle repair, recovery from stress and regeneration.

The Role of Rosavin in the Pathophysiology of Bone Metabolism

Rosavin, a phenylpropanoid in Rhodiola rosea's rhizome, and an adaptogen, is known for enhancing the body's response to environmental stress. It significantly affects cellular metabolism in health and many diseases, particularly influencing bone tissue metabolism. In vitro, rosavin inhibits osteoclastogenesis, disrupts F-actin ring formation, and reduces the expression of osteoclastogenesis-related genes such as cathepsin K, calcitonin receptor (CTR), tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), and matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9). It also impedes the nuclear factor of activated T-cell cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1), c-Fos, the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways and blocks phosphorylation processes crucial for bone resorption. Moreover, rosavin promotes osteogenesis and osteoblast differentiation and increases mouse runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and osteocalcin (OCN) expression. In vivo studies show its effectiveness in enhancing bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) mice, restraining osteoclast maturation, and increasing the active osteoblast percentage in bone tissue. It modulates mRNA expressions by increasing eukaryotic translation elongation factor 2 (EEF2) and decreasing histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1), thereby activating osteoprotective epigenetic mechanisms, and alters many serum markers, including decreasing cross-linked C-telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-1), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP5b), receptor activator for nuclear factor κ B ligand (RANKL), macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), and TRAP, while increasing alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and OCN. Additionally, when combined with zinc and probiotics, it reduces pro-osteoporotic matrix metallopeptidase 3 (MMP-3), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and enhances anti-osteoporotic interleukin 10 (IL-10) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3 (TIMP3) expressions. This paper aims to systematically review rosavin's impact on bone tissue metabolism, exploring its potential in osteoporosis prevention and treatment, and suggesting future research directions.