Effects of Adaptogens on the Central Nervous System and the Molecular Mechanisms Associated with Their Stress—Protective Activity

Abstract

Adaptogens were initially defined as substances that enhance the “state of non-specific resistance” in stress, a physiological condition that is linked with various disorders of the neuroendocrine-immune system. Studies on animals and isolated neuronal cells have revealed that adaptogens exhibit neuroprotective, anti-fatigue, antidepressive, anxiolytic, nootropic and CNS stimulating activity. In addition, a number of clinical trials demonstrate that adaptogens exert an anti-fatigue effect that increases mental work capacity against a background of stress and fatigue, particularly in tolerance to mental exhaustion and enhanced attention. Indeed, recent pharmacological studies of a number of adaptogens have provided a rationale for these effects also at the molecular level. It was discovered that the stress—protective activity of adaptogens was associated with regulation of homeostasis via several mechanisms of action, which was linked with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the regulation of key mediators of stress response, such as molecular chaperons (e.g., HSP70), stress-activated c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase 1 (JNK1), Forkhead box O (FOXO) transcription factor DAF-16, cortisol and nitric oxide.

Effects of an Adaptogen-Based Supplement on Stress Parameters in Healthy Volunteers

“…The anti-inflammatory and stress protective effects of adaptogens are believed to be associated with the homeostatic regulation of several different pathways and mechanisms including the hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal axis, the neuro-endocrine-immune complex, and key stress response mediators [11,23,26]. The pharmacological profile of adaptogens has been summarized by Panossian & Wagner [9].…”

“…Up-regulation of the stress sensor heat shock protein (Hsp) 70 by adaptogenic substances results in the inhibition of the expression of nitric oxide (NO) synthase while concurrently enhancing mitochondrial antioxidant activity, glutathione synthesis, and ATP generation [23,26]. Hsp 70 also interacts directly with glucocorticoid receptors and controls key mediators of stress as Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JBK1), and the transcription factor forkhead box O (FOXO).…”

“…A more recent study by Panossian et al [15] has shown that an adaptogenic blend of extracts from Eleutherococcus, Shizandra and Rhodiola, constituents present in the adaptogenic blend used in this study, stimulated the expression of the stress hormone neuroprotein Y (NPY) and heat shock protein (Hsp) 72. The net result of these mechanistic effects is an increase in mental and physical performance and possibly longevity [11,23,26]. The chemical substances believed to be responsible for adaptogenic properties include phenylpropanoids, phenethylamines and tetracyclic triterpenoids [9,11].…”

The Impact of Stress on Immunity, Mechanism and Pathways Involved

“…This stress mechanism is related to immunity as it is effective mechanism to protect the immune system from over activation that can be weakened by the process of inflammation. [100,101] The other mechanism related to stress and inflammation is that to any stressor response, different physiological changes occur to assist the person to overcome stress. The chronic stress has a bad impact on the immune system and the mechanism is that the chronic activation of the stressors, at the SAM axis and the HPA axis lead to the formation of the catecholamine's and glucocorticoid hormones.…”

Bioassays for Bioactivity Screening

“…They appear to produce a state of nonspecific increased resistance during stress resulting in stress protection [44]. The adaptogens not only help in coping with stress but help in enhancing a general state of well-being.…”