Stress management and the role of Rhodiola rosea: a review

Neuroendocrine and cellular mechanisms in stress resilience: From hormonal influence in the CNS to mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress

Recent advancements in neuroendocrinology challenge the long-held belief that hormonal effects are confined to perivascular tissues and do not extend to the central nervous system (CNS). This paradigm shift, propelled by groundbreaking research, reveals that synthetic hormones, notably in anti-inflammatory medications, significantly influence steroid psychosis, behavioural, and cognitive impairments, as well as neuropeptide functions. A seminal development in this field occurred in 1968 with McEven's proposal that rodent brains are responsive to glucocorticoids, fundamentally altering the understanding of how anxiety impacts CNS functionality and leading to the identification of glucocorticosteroids and mineralocorticoids as distinct corticotropic receptors. This paper focuses on the intricate roles of the neuroendocrine, immunological, and CNS in fostering stress resilience, underscored by recent animal model studies. These studies highlight active, compensatory, and passive strategies for resilience, supporting the concept that anxiety and depression are systemic disorders involving dysregulation across both peripheral and central systems. Resilience is conceptualized as a multifaceted process that enhances psychological adaptability to stress through adaptive mechanisms within the immunological system, brain, hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis, and ANS Axis. Furthermore, the paper explores oxidative stress, particularly its origin from the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in mitochondria. The mitochondria's role extends beyond ATP production, encompassing lipid, heme, purine, and steroidogenesis synthesis. ROS-induced damage to biomolecules can lead to significant mitochondrial dysfunction and cell apoptosis, emphasizing the critical nature of mitochondrial health in overall cellular function and stress resilience. This comprehensive synthesis of neuroendocrinological and cellular biological research offers new insights into the systemic complexity of stress-related disorders and the imperative for multidisciplinary approaches in their study and treatment.

Multi-target drugs for the treatment of cognitive impairment and fatigue in post-COVID syndrome: focus on Ginkgo biloba and Rhodiola rosea

Cognitive impairment, depression and (mental) fatigue represent the most frequent neuropsychiatric symptoms of the post-COVID syndrome. Neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction have been identified as common pathophysiological mechanisms underlying these symptoms. Attempts to treat post-COVID-associated cognitive impairment and fatigue with different drugs available for other diseases have not yet been successful. One probable explanation could be that these drugs work by one specific mechanism of action only and not in a broad multi-target way. Therefore, they will not address the broad pathophysiological spectrum possibly responsible for cognitive impairment, depression and fatigue in post-COVID syndrome. Notably, nearly all drugs currently under investigation for fatigue in post-COVID syndrome are rather addressing one single target instead of the several pathomechanisms underlying this condition. Contrary to this approach, herbal drugs often consist of many different ingredients with different pharmacological properties and pharmacological targets. Therefore, these drugs might be a promising approach for the treatment of the broad symptomatic presentation and the pathophysiological mechanisms of cognitive impairment and fatigue following a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Of these herbal drugs, extracts of Ginkgo biloba and Rhodiola rosea probably are the best investigated candidates. Their broad pharmacological spectrum in vitro and in vivo includes anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant as well as properties reducing cognitive impairment and fatigue. In several studies, both drugs showed positive effects on physical and mental fatigue and impaired cognition. Moreover, depressive symptoms were also reduced in some studies. However, even if these results are promising, the data are still preliminary and require additional proof by further studies.

Effects of the PREMEN-CALM® in the Management of the Premenstrual Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study

Premenstrual syndrome is a common disorder in women of reproductive age characterized by a variety of cyclical symptoms with a great impact on their lifestyle. Available pharmacological options include both antidepressants and oral contraceptives, both of which have side effects, are expensive and not always effective. Vitamins, minerals and plant extracts have been proven to alleviate the symptomatology of the premenstrual syndrome. For this reason, the purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of a commercial phytotherapeutic dietary supplement (PREMEN-CALM®: γ-aminobutyric acid, Rhodiola rosea L., Vitex agnus-castus, vitamin B6 and melatonin) as an alternative treatment for this condition. A randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled pilot study was performed. Participants (n = 42) were assessed before and after 3 months of taking the supplement (n = 21) or the placebo (n = 21). Outcome measures include antioxidant and inflammatory biomarkers, body composition, subjective sleep quality, mood state profile, quality of life, and certain characteristics of the menstrual cycle. The within-group analysis revealed a significant improvement in the total antioxidant status (1.49 ± 0.34 vs reference value 1, p = 0.002), mood state profile (p = 0.02), and affective symptoms (p = 0.01) in the women receiving the commercial phytotherapeutic dietary supplement PREMEN-CALM®. On the contrary, the between-group analysis showed no statistical differences, suggesting a plausible placebo effect. The phytotherapeutic supplement PREMEN-CALM® might be effective in treating or alleviating the symptoms of the premenstrual syndrome without adverse events. Integrative medicine approaches in the clinical practice may help improve the health of women suffering from this and other gynecological conditions.

Vital role for primary healthcare providers: urgent need to educate the community about daily nutritional self-care to support immune function and maintain health

The importance of self-care to improve health and social well-being is well recognised. Nevertheless, there remains a need to encourage people to better understand how their body works, and how to keep it healthy. Because of its important role, part of this understanding should be based on why the immune system must be supported. This highly complex system is essential for defending against pathogens, but also for maintaining health throughout the body by preserving homeostasis and integrity. Accordingly, the immune system requires active management for optimal functioning and to reduce the risk of chronic diseases. In addition to regular exercise, healthy sleeping patterns, cultivating mental resilience, adequate nutrition through healthy and diverse dietary habits is key to the daily support of immune function. Diet and the immune system are closely intertwined, and a poor diet will impair immunity and increase the risk of acute and chronic diseases. To help elucidate the roles of primary healthcare providers in supporting individuals to engage in self-care, an international group of experts reviewed the evidence for the roles of the immune system in maintaining health and for nutrition in daily immune support, and discussed implications for population health and clinical practice.

Phenolic Compounds of Rhodiola rosea L. as the Potential Alternative Therapy in the Treatment of Chronic Diseases

The roots and rhizomes of Rhodiola rosea L. (Crassulaceae), which is widely growing in Northern Europe, North America, and Siberia, have been used since ancient times to alleviate stress, fatigue, and mental and physical disorders. Phenolic compounds: phenylpropanoids rosavin, rosarin, and rosin, tyrosol glucoside salidroside, and tyrosol, are responsible for the biological action of R. rosea, exerting antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-aging, anti-fatigue activities. R. rosea extract formulations are used as alternative remedies to enhance mental and cognitive functions and protect the central nervous system and heart during stress. Recent studies indicate that R. rosea may be used to treat diabetes, cancer, and a variety of cardiovascular and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. This paper reviews the beneficial effects of the extract of R. rosea, its key active components, and their possible use in the treatment of chronic diseases. R. rosea represents an excellent natural remedy to address situations involving decreased performance, such as fatigue and a sense of weakness, particularly in the context of chronic diseases. Given the significance of mitochondria in cellular energy metabolism and their vulnerability to reactive oxygen species, future research should prioritize investigating the potential effects of R. rosea main bioactive phenolic compounds on mitochondria, thus targeting cellular energy supply and countering oxidative stress-related effects.

Foundational Nutrition: Implications for Human Health

Human nutrition, and what can be considered "ideal" nutrition, is a complex, multi-faceted topic which many researchers and practitioners deliberate. While some attest that basic human nutrition is relatively understood, it is undeniable that a global nutritional problem persists. Many countries struggle with malnutrition or caloric deficits, while others encounter difficulties with caloric overconsumption and micronutrient deficiencies. A multitude of factors contribute to this global problem. Limitations to the current scope of the recommended daily allowances (RDAs) and dietary reference intakes (DRIs), changes in soil quality, and reductions in nutrient density are just a few of these factors. In this article, we propose a new, working approach towards human nutrition designated "Foundational Nutrition". This nutritional lens combines a whole food approach in conjunction with micronutrients and other nutrients critical for optimal human health with special consideration given to the human gut microbiome and overall gut health. Together, this a synergistic approach which addresses vital components in nutrition that enhances the bioavailability of nutrients and to potentiate a bioactive effect.

The psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the stressor scale for emergency nurses

BACKGROUND

Emergency nurses are experienced specific stress factors. To evaluate stressors of emergency nurses effectively is useful to improve quality of nursing care. This study aimed to translate the stressor scale for emergency nurses into Chinese (C-SSEN) and carry out the reliability and validity test among Chinese emergency nurses.

METHODS

A total of 358 emergency nurses from four hospitals in Tianjin, Henan, and Shandong province of China are recruited through a convenience sampling. The C-SSEN was translated into Chinese applying a classic 'forward-backward' translation method. Reliability (internal consistency, test-retest reliability) and validity (content validity, construct validity) were assessed.

RESULTS

The final version of C-SSEN was rated by the expert panel, indicating good content validity (I-CVI ≥ 0.83, S-CVI = 0.96). The scale had satisfactory content validity, internal consistency (Cronbach's α coefficient = 0.958), and test-retest reliability (intra-class correlation coefficient = 0.824).

CONCLUSION

The C-SSEN is a useful and reliable scale to evaluate stressors among emergency nurses.

The Effectiveness of Rhodiola rosea L. Preparations in Alleviating Various Aspects of Life-Stress Symptoms and Stress-Induced Conditions-Encouraging Clinical Evidence

Rhodiola rosea L. has a long history of use in traditional medicine to stimulate the nervous system, treat stress-induced fatigue and depression, enhance physical performance and work productivity and treat gastrointestinal ailments and impotence. Apart from its well-established traditional use, a significant number of publications on the clinical efficacy of various R. rosea preparations can be found in the literature. The majority of these studies are related to the efficacy of R. rosea in terms of cognitive functions and mental performance, including various symptoms of life-stress, fatigue and burnout. The beneficial effects of this medicinal plant on enhancing physical performance have also been evaluated in professional athletes and non-trained individuals. Moreover, even though most evidence originates from pre-clinical trials, several clinical studies have additionally demonstrated the remediating effects of R. rosea on cardiovascular and reproductive health by addressing non-specific stress damage and reversing or healing the disrupted physiologies and disfunctions. Overall, in accordance with its aim, the results presented in this review provide an encouraging basis for the clinical efficacy of R. rosea preparations in managing various aspects of stress-induced conditions.

Rhodiola Rosea Extract Counteracts Stress in an Adaptogenic Response Curve Manner via Elimination of ROS and Induction of Neurite Outgrowth

Background

Sustained stress with the overproduction of corticosteroids has been shown to increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) leading to an oxidative stress state. Mitochondria are the main generators of ROS and are directly and detrimentally affected by their overproduction. Neurons depend almost solely on ATP produced by mitochondria in order to satisfy their energy needs and to form synapses, while stress has been proven to alter synaptic plasticity. Emerging evidence underpins that Rhodiola rosea, an adaptogenic plant rich in polyphenols, exerts antioxidant, antistress, and neuroprotective effects.

Methods

In this study, the effect of Rhodiola rosea extract (RRE) WS®1375 on neuronal ROS regulation, bioenergetics, and neurite outgrowth, as well as its potential modulatory effect on the brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) pathway, was evaluated in the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y and the murine hippocampal HT22 cell lines. Stress was induced using the corticosteroid dexamethasone.

Results

RRE increased bioenergetics as well as cell viability and scavenged ROS with a similar efficacy in both cells lines and counteracted the respective corticosteroid-induced dysregulation. The effect of RRE, both under dexamethasone-stress and under normal conditions, resulted in biphasic U-shape and inverted U-shape dose response curves, a characteristic feature of adaptogenic plant extracts. Additionally, RRE treatment promoted neurite outgrowth and induced an increase in BDNF levels.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that RRE may constitute a candidate for the prevention of stress-induced pathophysiological processes as well as oxidative stress. Therefore, it could be employed against stress-associated mental disorders potentially leading to the development of a condition-specific supplementation.

Natural products for the treatment of stress-induced depression: Pharmacology, mechanism and traditional use

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Depression, one of the most common psychiatric disorders, is the fourth leading cause of long-term disability worldwide. A series of causes triggered depression, including psychological stress and conflict, as well as biological derangement, among which stress has a pivotal role in the development of depression. Traditional herbal medicine has been used for the treatment of various disorders including depression for a long history with multi-targets, multi-levels and multi-ways, attracting great attention from scholars. Recently, natural products have been commercialized as antidepressants which have become increasingly popular in the world health drug markets. Major research contributions in ethnopharmacology have generated and updated vast amount of data associated with natural products in antidepressant-like activity.

AIMS OF THE REVIEW

This review aims to briefly discuss the pathological mechanism, animal models of stress-induced depression, traditional use of herbal medicines and especially recapitulate the natural products with antidepressant activity and their pharmacological functions and mechanism of action, which may contribute to a better understanding of potential therapeutic effects of natural products and the development of promising drugs with high efficacy and low toxicity for the treatment of stress-induced depression.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The contents of this review were sourced from electronic databases including PubMed, Sci Finder, Web of Science, Science Direct, Elsevier, Google Scholar, Chinese Knowledge On frastructure (CNKI), Wan Fang, Chinese Scientific and Technological Periodical Database (VIP) and Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM). Additional information was collected from Yao Zhi website (https://db.yaozh.com/). Data were obtained from April 1992 to June 2021. Only English language was applied to the search. The search terms were 'stress-induced depression', 'pathological mechanism' in the title and 'stress', 'depression', 'animal model' and 'natural products' in the whole text.

RESULTS

Stress-induced depression is related to the monoaminergic system, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, neuronal plasticity and a series of inflammatory factors. Four main types of animal models of stress-induced depression were represented. Fifty-eight bioactive phytochemical compounds, fifty-six herb medicines and five formulas from traditional Chinese medicine were highlighted, which exert antidepressant effects by inhibiting monoamine oxidase (MAO) reaction, alleviating dysfunction of the HPA axis and nerve injury, and possessing anti-inflammatory activities.

CONCLUSIONS

Natural products provide a large number of compounds with antidepressant-like effects, and their therapeutic impacts has been highlighted for a long time. This review summarized the pathological mechanism and animal models of stress-induced depression, and the natural products with antidepressant activity in particular, which will shed light on the action mechanism and clinical potential of these compounds. Natural products also have been a vital and promising source for future antidepressant drug discovery.

Powerful Stress Relieving Medicinal Plants for Anger, Anxiety, Depression, and Stress During Global Pandemic

Consideration and improvement for anxiety and depression are important during a global pandemic. Appropriate healthcare can be obtained by paying more attention to traditional medicinal sciences. The adverse effects of stress with various symptoms can be managed by introducing plants that boost mental health. The most relevant psychological reactions in the general population related to the global pandemic are pervasive anxiety, frustration and boredom, specific and uncontrolled fear, disabling loneliness, significant lifestyle changes, and psychiatric conditions. Ginseng, chamomile, passionflower, herbal tea, lavender, saffron, kava, rose, cardamom, Chinese date, and some chief formula like yokukansan, Dan-zhi-xiao-yao-san, so-ochim-tang-gamiband, and saikokaryukotsuboreito are notable herbal treatments for mental health problems. The most common medicinal plants that have been used in Iran for the cure of stress and anxiety are Viper's-buglosses, Dracocephalum, valerian, chamomile, common hop, hawthorns, and lavender. Medicinal plants and herbs can be used for the treatment and alleviation of the negative effects of stress, anger, and depression during the global pandemic.

The Influence of Gut Microbiota on the Cardiovascular System Under Conditions of Obesity and Chronic Stress

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Based on the available data, it can be assumed that microbiota is an integral part of the human body. The most heavily colonized area of the human body is the gut, with bacterial accumulation ranging from 101-103 cells/g in the upper intestine to 1011-1012 cells/g in the colon. However, colonization of the gut is not the same throughout, as it was shown that there are differences between the composition of the microbiota in the intestine lumen and in the proximity of the mucus layer.

RECENT FINDINGS

Gut microbiota gradient can be differentially regulated by factors such as obesity and chronic stress. In particular, a high fat diet influences the gut microbial composition. It was also found that chronic stress may cause the development of obesity and thus change the organization of the intestinal barrier. Recent research has shown the significant effect of intestinal microflora on cardiovascular function. Enhanced absorption of bacterial fragments, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), promotes the onset of "metabolic endotoxemia," which could activate toll-like receptors, which mediates an inflammatory response and in severe cases could cause cardiovascular diseases. It is presumed that the intestinal microbiota, and especially its metabolites (LPS and trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO)), may play an important role in the pathogenesis of arterial hypertension, atherosclerosis, and heart failure. This review focuses on how gut microbiota can change the morphological and functional activity of the cardiovascular system in the course of obesity and in conditions of chronic stress.

Inflammatory processes linked to major depression and schizophrenic disorders and the effects of polypharmacy in psychiatry: evidence from a longitudinal study of 279 patients under therapy

Over the past 2 decades, polypharmacy has become the de-facto standard of acute treatment in psychiatry where patients with psychiatric disorders receive a multiple medication regimen. There is growing evidence for a potential link between major psychiatric disorders and inflammatory processes. Combining these two aspects aims at avoiding polypharmacy attempts among patients with inflammatory activation through alternative treatment strategies. In this study, we addressed the following questions: (1) to what extent can polypharmacy be explained through the factors "diagnosis", "previous history", "severity at baseline", "age", "gender", and "psychiatrist in charge"; (2) what are the differences between polypharmacy and monotherapy regarding efficacy and side effect profiles; and (3) what amount of between-patient variance is explainable by the natural antibody immunoglobulin M (IgM) within each diagnostic group. This naturalistic longitudinal study was comprised of 279 patients under therapy with a clinical diagnosis of depressive (ICD-10: "F3x.x"; n = 195) or schizophrenic disorders (ICD-10: "F2x.x"; n = 84). The study protocol included (1) assessment of previous history by the SADS Syndrome Check List SSCL-16 (lifetime version); (2) repeated measurements over 5 weeks assessing the time course of improvement by the Hamilton Depression Scale HAM-D and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale PANSS, along with medication and unwanted side effects through the Medication and Side Effects Inventory MEDIS; and (3) the collection of blood samples from which DNA and serum were extracted. The association between inflammatory response system and psychiatric disorders was detailed by fitting multi-layer Neural Net (NN) models to the observed data ("supervised learning"). The same approach was used to set up prediction models of side effects. Our data showed that polypharmacy was omnipresent. Yet the various polypharmacy regimens had no advantage over monotherapy: we even found slightly larger baseline score reductions under monotherapy, independent of primary diagnoses and for comparable baseline severities. Most patients experienced unwanted side effects. The close link between side effects and treatment regimen was revealed by a linear model in which the mere number of drugs explained a significant (p < 0.001) proportion of the observed variance. As to the inflammatory response system: For the F2 patients, our NN model identified a 22.5% subgroup exhibiting a significant correlation of r = 0.746 (p = 0.0004) between global schizophrenia scores and IgM levels, along with a correct prediction of response of 94.4%, thus explaining 55.7% of the observed between-patient variance. For the F3 patients, our NN model identified a 19.6% subgroup exhibiting a significant correlation of r = 0.644 (p = 0.00003) between global depression scores and IgM levels, along a correct prediction of response of 89.6%, thus explaining 41.4% of the observed between-patient variance. Polypharmacy is omnipresent in today's acute treatment of psychiatric disorders. Given the large proportion of patients with unwanted side effects and the strong correlation between side effects and the number of drugs, polypharmacy approaches are not equally suited for every patient. In terms of efficacy, there are no advantages of polypharmacy over monotherapy. Most notably, our study appears to have cleared the way for the reliable identification of a subgroup of patients for whom the inflammatory response system is a promising target of therapeutic intervention.

Traditional herbal medicines to overcome stress, anxiety and improve mental health in outbreaks of human coronaviruses

Mental health condition is including depression and anxiety, and they may impact wellbeing, personal relationships and productivity of both genders. Herbal medicines have been used to treatment of anxiety and depression symptoms for centuries. SARS, MERS and COVID-19 are related to coronavirus types. SARS (sever acute respiratory syndrome, China, 2002), MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome, Saudi Arabia, 2012), and SARS-CoV-2 (2019-2020) are the main coronavirus outbreaks. Both anxiety and depression are more serious to be considered and improved for all general public during fight with these diseases. In this mini-review article, we have mentioned the key role some of the most important plants and herbs for treatment of stress and anxiety and improve mental health against SARS and SARS-CoV-2 on the basis of traditional Asian medicine, especially traditional Chinese and Persian medicine.

Ganoderma lucidum Rhodiola compound preparation prevent D-galactose-induced immune impairment and oxidative stress in aging rat model

Aging is an irreversible process. This research aims to study the anti-aging effects of GRCP, a compound preparation made by Ganoderma lucidum and Rhodiola rosen, in aging rats. Rats were subcutaneously injected with 400 mg/kg of D-galactose daily, and aging could be induced after 8 weeks. The aging rats were treated with GRCP. This experiment was divided into 6 groups. Rats were randomly divided into the model group, positive control group, low-dose GRCP group (25 mg/kg body weight), medium-dose GRCP group (50 mg/kg body weight), and high-dose GRCP group (100 mg/kg body weight), healthy and normal rats were used as blank controls. After the end, the results show that the use of GRCP at a dose of 100 mg/kg is the best treatment for improving aging rats. Rats gained weight, spleen and thymus indexes, and splenocyte proliferation improved, and inflammatory cytokine levels decreased. Besides, biochemical indicators show that GRCP can improve the antioxidant enzyme activity and reduce the content of lipofuscin and TGF-β in aging rats (P < 0.05). GRCP can also inhibit the activation of the MyD88/NF-κB pathway in rat hippocampus. These results seem to suggest that GRCP can be used as a potential natural supplement or functional food to prevent aging.

Trauma-Related Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Systematic Review of an Emerging Concept

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is mainly associated with preceding exposure to an infectious agent, although the precise pathogenic mechanisms and causes remain unknown. Increasing evidence indicates an association between trauma-related factors and GBS. Here, we performed a systematic review, summarized the current scientific literature related to the onset of GBS associated with trauma, and explored the possible pathogenesis. A literature search of various electronic databases was performed up to May 2020 to identify studies reporting diverse trauma-related triggers of GBS. Data were extracted, summarized descriptively, and evaluated with respect to possible mechanisms. In total, 100 publications, including 136 cases and 6 case series involving GBS triggered by injury, surgery, intracranial hemorrhage, and heatstroke, met our eligibility criteria. The median age of the patients was 53 [interquartile range (IQR) 45-63] years, and 72.1% of the patients were male. The median number of days between the trigger to onset of GBS symptoms was 9 (IQR 6.5-13). Overall, 121 patients (89.0%) developed post-injury/surgical GBS, whereas 13 (9.6%) and 2 (1.5%) patients had preexisting spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage and heatstroke, respectively. The main locations of injury or surgeries preceding GBS were the spine and brain. Based on available evidence, we highlight possible mechanisms of GBS induced by these triggers. Moreover, we propose the concept of "trauma-related GBS" as a new research direction, which may help uncover more pathogenic mechanisms than previously considered for typical GBS triggered by infection or vaccination.

LC-MS Profile, Gastrointestinal and Gut Microbiota Stability and Antioxidant Activity of Rhodiola rosea Herb Metabolites: A Comparative Study with Subterranean Organs

Golden root (Rhodiola rosea L., Crassulaceae) is a famous medical plant with a one-sided history of scientific interest in the roots and rhizomes as sources of bioactive compounds, unlike the herb, which has not been studied extensively. To address this deficiency, we used high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array and electrospray triple quadrupole mass detection for comparative qualitative and quantitative analysis of the metabolic profiles of Rhodiola rosea organs before and after gastrointestinal digestion in simulated conditions together with various biochemical assays to determine antioxidant properties of the extracts and selected compounds. R. rosea organs showed 146 compounds, including galloyl O-glucosides, catechins, procyanidins, simple phenolics, phenethyl alcohol derivatives, (hydroxy)cinnamates, hydroxynitrile glucosides, monoterpene O-glucosides, and flavonol O-glycosides, most of them for the first time in the species. The organ-specific distribution of compounds found for catechins, procyanidins, and cinnamyl alcohols and glucosides was typical for underground organs and flavonoids and galloylated glucoses concentrated in the herb. Extracts from rhizomes, leaves and flowers showed high phenolic content and were effective scavengers of free radicals (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS•+), O2•-, •OH) and protected β-carotene in a bleaching assay. Digestion in the gastric and intestine phase influenced the composition of R. rosea extracts negatively, affecting the content of catechins, procyanidins, and galloyl glucoses, and therefore, the antioxidativity level. After gut microbiota treatment, the antioxidant capacity of rhizome extract was lower than leaves and flowers due to the aglycone composition found in the colonic phase of digestion. Our study demonstrated that the herb of R. rosea is a rich source of metabolites with high antioxidant properties and could be a valuable plant for new bioactive products.

Neuroprotective Effects of Salidroside on Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion-Induced Behavioral Impairment Involves the Dopaminergic System

Salidroside, a phenylpropanoid glycoside, is the main bioactive component of Rhodiola rosea L. Salidroside has prominent anti-stroke effects in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion models. However, the underlying mechanisms of its actions are poorly understood. This study examined the anti-stroke effects of salidroside in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)-induced rat model of stroke and its potential mechanisms involving the dopaminergic system. Salidroside administration increased the levels of dopamine (DA), homovanillic acid (HVA), and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) in the ipsilateral striatum after induction of transient ischemia, which were assessed using microdialysis with high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD). Furthermore, treatment with salidroside ameliorated neurobehavioral impairment, assessed with the modified neurological severity scores (mNSS), the balance beam test, and the foot fault test. Moreover, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) suggested that MCAO-induced reduction in monoamine oxidase (MAO) was inhibited by salidroside. Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence analyses revealed high level of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in the ipsilateral striatal caudate putamen (CPu) after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, which could be further elevated by salidroside. In addition, salidroside could reverse the decreased immunoreactivity of TH in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). These results suggest that the anti-stroke effects of salidroside in MCAO-induced cerebral ischemia/reperfusion may involve the modulation of monoamine metabolism in the striatum and SNpc, which may be related to the function of the dopaminergic system in the rat brain.

Reduction of acute mild stress corticosterone response and changes in stress-responsive gene expression in male Balb/c mice after repeated administration of a Rhodiola rosea L. root extract

Rhodiola rosea L. (R. rosea) is an adaptogenic plant increasing body resistance to stress. Its efficacy has been evidenced mainly in chronic stress models, data concerning its effect in acute stress and underlying mechanisms being scarce. The objective was to investigate the effect of repeated doses of a R. rosea hydroethanolic root extract (HRE) on hypothalamic pituitary adrenal response in a murine model of acute mild stress and also the mechanisms involved. Stress response was measured in Balb/c mice having received by gavage HRE (5 g/kg) or vehicle daily for 2 weeks before being submitted to an acute mild stress protocol (open-field test then elevated plus maze). Corticosterone was measured in plasma from mandibular vein blood drawn before and 30, 60, and 90 min after initiation of the stress protocol. Mice were sacrificed at 90 min, and the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and amygdala were excised for high-frequency RT-PCR gene expression analysis. At 30 min after acute mild stress induction, corticosterone level in mice having received the HRE was lower than in control mice and comparable to that in nonstressed mice in the HRE group. HRE administration induced brain structure-dependent changes in expression of several stress-responsive genes implicated in neuronal structure, HPA axis activation, and circadian rhythm. In the acute mild stress model used, R. rosea HRE decreased corticosterone level and increased expression of stress-responsive genes, especially in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. These findings suggest that R. rosea HRE could be of value for modulating reactivity to acute mild stress.

Enzymatic Glucosylation of Salidroside from Starch by α-Amylase

α-Amylases are among the most important and widely used industrial enzymes for starch processing. In this work, an α-amylase from Bacillus subtilis XL8 was purified and found to possess both hydrolysis and transglycosylation activities. The optimal pH and temperature for starch hydrolysis were pH 5.0 and 70 °C, respectively. The enzyme could degrade soluble starch into beneficial malto-oligosaccharides ranging from dimer to hexamer. More importantly, it was able to catalyze α-glycosyl transfer from the soluble starch to salidroside, a medicinal plant-derived component with broad pharmacological properties. The transglycosylation reaction catalyzed by the enzyme generated six derivatives in a total high yield of 73.4% when incubating with 100 mg/mL soluble starch and 50 mM salidroside (pH 7.5) at 50 °C for 2 h. These derivatives were identified as α-1,4-glucosyl, maltosyl, maltotriosyl, maltotetraosyl, maltopentaosyl, and maltohexaosyl salidrosides, respectively. They were novel promising compounds that might integrate the bioactive functions of malto-oligosaccharides and salidroside.

A preliminary assessment of a combination of rhodiola and saffron in the management of mild-moderate depression

OBJECTIVE

The medicinal plants Rhodiola rosea L. (rhodiola, golden root) and Crocus sativus L. (saffron) have been shown separately to induce significant effects in depression. The objective of this study was to assess a fixed combination of rhodiola and saffron in mild-moderate depression.

METHODS

In this observational study conducted with general practitioners (GPs), 45 adults (aged 18-85 years) suffering from mild or moderate depression (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision definition) and reaching a score on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression of 8-18 were supplemented with a combination of rhodiola and saffron extracts (one tablet, 154 mg of rhodiola and 15 mg of saffron; recommended dose two tablets per day for 6 weeks).

RESULTS

After 6 weeks (D42) of supplementation, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression scores (primary outcome) decreased significantly by 58%±28.5% (from 13.6±2.3 at D0 to 5.6±3.8 at D42, P<0.0001; n=41). Score improvement was reported in 85.4% of patients. A significant drop in both Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale anxiety and depression scores was also observed at D42, the decrease being significant from 2 weeks of supplementation. At the end of the study, both GPs and patients deemed there was a significant improvement in depression (Clinical Global Impression - improvement and Patient Global Impression of Change). Safety was excellent, and no serious adverse effects were recorded.

CONCLUSION

Results of this observational study performed in primary care suggest that the combination of rhodiola and saffron tested could be useful for the management of mild-moderate depression and improve depressive and anxiety symptoms. A double-blind placebo-controlled study is needed to confirm these results.