Stimulating effect of adaptogens: an overview with particular reference to their efficacy following single dose administration

Abstract

Plant adaptogens are compounds that increase the ability of an organism to adapt to environmental factors and to avoid damage from such factors. The beneficial effects of multidose administration of adaptogens are mainly associated with the hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal (HPA) axis, a part of the stress-system that is believed to play a primary role in the reactions of the body to repeated stress and adaptation. In contrast, the single dose application of adaptogens is important in situations that require a rapid response to tension or to a stressful situation. In this case, the effects of the adaptogens are associated with another part of the stress-system, namely, the sympatho-adrenal-system (SAS), that provides a rapid response mechanism mainly to control the acute reaction of the organism to a stressor. This review focuses primarily on the SAS-mediated stimulating effects of single doses of adaptogens derived from Rhodiola rosea, Schizandra chinensis and Eleutherococcus senticosus. The use of these drugs typically generates no side effects, unlike traditional stimulants that possess addiction, tolerance and abuse potential, produce a negative effect on sleep structure, and cause rebound hypersomnolence or "come down" effects. Furthermore, single administration of these adaptogens effectively increases mental performance and physical working capacity in humans. R. rosea is the most active of the three plant adaptogens producing, within 30 min of administration, a stimulating effect that continues for at least 4 -6 h. The active principles of the three plants that exhibit single dose stimulating effects are glycosides of phenylpropane-and phenylethane-based phenolic compounds such as salidroside, rosavin, syringin and triandrin, the latter being the most active.

Adaptogenic and central nervous system effects of single doses of 3% rosavin and 1% salidroside Rhodiola rosea L. extract in mice

“…Therefore, our data first confirm the efficacy of R. rosea extracts after a single administration, as seen by Panossian and Wagner (2005), and secondly confirm many preclinical and, particularly, clinical studies indicating adaptogenic and stimulating effects of such R. rosea extracts (Kelly, 2001;Brown et al, 2002;Zhu et al, 2003).…”

“…It is believed that these changes in monoamine levels are due to inhibition of the activities of the enzymes responsible for monoamine degradation (monoamine oxidase and catechol-Omethyltransferase), and to facilitation of neurotransmitter transport within the brain (Stancheva and Mosharrof, 1987). Therefore we can postulate that this antidepressant-like activity of RHO depends on its ability to enhance the catecholaminergic system (Burchfield, 1979;Lishmanov et al, 1987;Saratikov and Krasnov, 2004;Panossian and Wagner, 2005).…”

“…This plant is very popular in traditional medicine, with a reputation for alleviating emotional, mental and physical disorders (German et al, 1999;Spasov et al, 2000;Shevtsov et al, 2003;Saratikov and Krasnov, 2004;Panossian and Wagner, 2005).…”

“…rosea is used in traditional folk medicine to stimulate the nervous system, to decrease depression, to enhance work performance, longevity and resistance to high altitude sickness, and to treat fatigue and symptoms of asthenia subsequent to intense physical and psychological stress (Kelly, 2001;Brown et al, 2002;Zhu et al, 2003). Therefore, due to its ability to increase the resistance of an organism to environmental stress factors and to avoid damage from such factors, R. rosea has been defined as an 'adaptogen' (Wagner et al, 1994;Panossian et al, 1999;Panossian, 2003;Panossian and Wagner, 2005).…”

“…Since R. rosea extracts used in several preclinical and clinical studies have been standardized to a minimum of 3% rosavins and 0.8-1.0% salidroside (Darbinyan et al, 2000;Kelly, 2001;Brown et al, 2002;Abidov et al, 2003;Panossian and Wagner, 2005), a R. rosea L. hydroalcohol extract containing 3% rosavin and 1% salidroside was used.…”