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A wide array of human health benefits related to mental

health and physical performance has been clinically demonstrated using the unique phytomedical form of R. rosea extract specifi-cally standardized to rosavins. Rhodiola rosea possesses valua-ble anti-fatigue, anti-stress, and anti-depressant properties ; it stimulates the bioelectrical activi-ty of the brain and improves memory and mental perfor-mance. In addition, it also in-

creases stamina and accelerates the physical recovery processes after intense training work-loads ; it stimulates muscle energy status, im-proves glycogen synthesis in the muscles and liver and increases muscle protein synthesis and anabolic activity.

T h e r i g h t p r o d u c t f r o m t h e r i g h t p l a c e a t t h e r i g h t t i m e

While Rhodiola as a genus may have originated in the mountainous regions of Southwest China and the Himalayas, botanists have established that Rhodiola rosea naturally display a circum-polar distribution in mountainous regions in the higher latitudes and elevations of the Northern Hemisphere. In central and Northern Asia, the genus is distributed from the Altai Mountains across Mongolia into many parts of Siberia. Rhodiola rosea used for the production of Rho-dioLife® is wildcraft collected from this part, under the Russian Government License. Altai

Mountains represents a pristine area free from contamination in of the most well preserved and remote natural environments. PoliNat is involved from the early beginning in the collection practices, with SOPs describing the stage of the plant growth, best time of collection and ecologically non-destructive systems.

A c t i v e I n g r e d i e n t s

Activities related to Rhodiola rosea have been traditionally attributed to the presence of four principal active ingredients: salidroside, rosin, rosavin and rosarin (Sokolov, 1985; Furman-owa, 1998). The root of R. rosea shows six distinct groups of chemical compounds. The Phenylalkanoids are the main contributors, incl. :

Phenylpropanoid : Rosavins are products of the phenylpropanoid metabolism. Tosavins (ie. rosavin, rosin and rosarin) are specific to the root from Rhodiola rosaea. The rosavins are the constituents currently most often selected as the marker compounds for standardization of extracts, although they are not necessarily the only pharmacologi-cally active ingredients for its medicinal properties.

Principal phenylethanoids consist of glyco-sides and salidroside has been reported as the most active tyrosol glycoside, being associated, together with rosavins, to the anti-depressive and anxiolytic effects (Maslowa, 1994; Tolonen, 2003). Other phenylethanoids have also been isolated but with today limited scientific literature con-cerning the bioactivity (Jiménez 1994).

N u t r a c e u t i c A p p l i c a t i o n s

R e s p o ns e t o S t r es s : Rhodiola rosea bal-ance the body’s stress-response system. Adap-togenic plants naturally increase the body's non-specific resistance and normalise the functions of the body, with a more resourceful manner when facing stressful situation. R. rosea impacts central monoamine levels.

D e p r es s i o n : R. rosea is said to assist the transport of serotonin precursors, tryptophan and 5-HTP into the brain. (Studies shows that serotonin brain neurotransmitter is involved in many functions such as pain perception, be-

havior, smooth muscle contraction, temperature regulation, appetite,

etc...

S p or t P e r f o r m a n c e a nd m u s c l es r e c o ve r y : Rhodiola

extract one hour before exer-

cise significantly increases capacity for endur-ance exercise. It also shortens recovery time after long workouts, to increase strength, and anti-toxic action. Rhodiola extract reduces levels of C-reactive protein, an inflammatory marker, and creatinine kinase, a marker of muscle damage (Abidov M & al., 2004). An other study from PoliNat suggests that Rhodiola extract protects against peroxide-induced oxidative stress through the modulation of HPS70 (heat shock protein) in C2C12 muscles cells.

M e m or y : R. Rosea increases the bioelectrical activity of the brain which improves memory and brain energy. A study also described the Acetylcholine Esterase Inhibitors in Rhodiola rosea. It helps the body adapt to stress by affecting the levels and activity of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, neu-rotransmitters found in different structures in the brain and influencing the central nervous system. It appears that Rhodiola inhibits the breakdown of these chemicals and facilitates the neurotransmitter transport within the brain. In addition to its impact on the central nervous system, Rhodiola can increase the chemicals that provide energy to the muscle of the heart and prevent the depletion of adrenal hormones induced by acute stress. (Tori Hudson, 2006)

I m m u n e S ys t em : It stimulates and protects the immune system (homeostasis), and increas-es the natural killer cells (NK) in the stomach and spleen. This action may be due to its ability to normalize hormones.

C a r d i o va s cu l a r : Linked to the anti-stress action (and decrease of catecholamines and corticosteroids released by the adrenal glands during stress), R. rosea decreases the amount of

Keywords

Rhodiola rosea Performance Memory, Attention Stress

Summary

Rhodiola rosea L. (Crassulaceae), also known historically as “Golden

Root” from the “Golden Montains” (Mongolian word ‘Altan’), is the

most popular phytomedicine traditional used to increase physical endur-

ance, work productivity, longevity, memory and attention, resistance to

high altitude sickness, fatigue, depression, and disorders of the nervous system.

The effect of Rhodiola rosea (RR) supplementa-tion on ATP content in muscles was studied in Sprague-Dawley rats, where 24 adult rats were divided 3 groups equally: control group, RR (50mg/Kg) and Rhodiola crenulata (50mg/kg). Two sessions of forced swimming with 30-min intervals were carried out every day. The de-crease in ATP content in rats receiving R. rosea extract was statistically significantly less pro-nounced than the other groups (1). In a human trial, a total of 36 healthy untrained volunteers (21-24 years of age) were randomly, equally divided in 3 groups (control, placebo and RR extract). Individuals in the placebo and RR ex-tract groups received 2 capsules a day of each treatment (placebo or 340 mg of RR extract) for 30 days before and 6 days after exhausting physical exercise was performed (computer aided bicycle ergometer with gradual increases of workload). Changes in biochemical markers of muscle damage and inflammation were signifi-cantly less pronounced in those taking RR sup-plementation (2). 1. Abidov M, Crendal F, Grachev S, Seifulla R, Ziegen-

fuss T. Effect of extracts from Rhodiola rosea and Rhodiola crenulata (Crassulaceae) roots on ATP content in mitochondria of skeletal muscles. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2003 Dec;136(6):585-7

2. Abidov M, Grachev S, Seifulla RD, Ziegenfuss TN. Extract of Rhodiola rosea radix reduces the level of C-reactive protein and creatinine kinase in the blood. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2004 Jul;138(1):63-4.

POLINAT is one of the very few Nutraceutical com-panies which has been granted an Export License by the Russian Government for the exportation of Rhodiola rosea roots from the Altai (Altay) region (Siberia). PoliNat closely collaborates with its suppli-er implementing operating procedures that provide general technical guidance for the sustainable col-lection and processing of Rhodiola rosea roots, following the overall context of quality assurance and the WHO guidelines on Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP). This includes the col-lection of the plants in the wild, as well as primary processing of the plant material, such as drying, packaging in bulk, storage and transport of the raw materials until it arrives to the PoliNat factory. The impact of collection on the environment and ecologi-cal processes, and the welfare of local communities are also considered.

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cyclic-AMP (c-AMP) released into cardiac cells, and so assist the uptake if lire intracellular calci-um for greater heart muscle contraction (regular beat).

N e r vo u s s ys t em : Case studies have reported that R. rosea helps with depressive syndromes, memory loss, anxiety, cognitive dysfunction and menopause related symptoms

N u t r a c o s m e t i c a p p l i c a t i o n s

Supplementing with Rhodiola rosea is a whole-body approach to maintaining health and well-ness. While most supplements address specific conditions, Rhodiola rosea acts on many biologi-cal systems and can counteract one of the pri-mary causes of illness – chronic stress, asthenia and premature aging. In today’s frenetic society, a one-size-fits-all supplement regimen with herbs and vitamins is ineffective. Each person is physiologically unique and requires a specific protocol for health. Supplementing with Rhodio-la rosea is the foundation for an individualized supplement protocol because of its ability to heighten the body’s innate ability fight stress – related illness. Rhodiola rosea has been demon-strated to be effective in different important applications:

S t r es s : the effects of the stress on skin have been extensively proved. Stress is a well-known triggering factor in the appearance or exacerba-tion of psoriasis, alopecia areata, atopic dermati-tis, acne, and other skin disorders. Panconesi et al. described the psychophysiology of stress in dermatology and found that the skin and central nervous system are related embryologically. The parasympathetic nervous system is critical to regulating our stress response. Rhodiola rosea enhances parasympathetic function and fortifies the stress response system, improving our abil-ity to overcome stress and reducing our risk of stress-related health problems. A n t i - a g i ng p r o p er t i e s : Application of Rho-diola rosea extract as a useful method of retard-ing the signs of photoaging and protecting the

skin from UV damage. Photoaging can include signs of aging such us skin atrophy and means the thinning and/or general degradation of the dermis caused by free radicals damage which is often characterized by an alteration and degra-dation of collagen and/or elastin due to extrin-sic factors such as photodamage caused by exposure to UV radiation. Rhodiola rosea ex-tract can help in the prevention or retarding skin aging, including wrinkles lines appearance, skin atrophy and thinning appearance reduc-tion. Those properties of Rhodiola rosea extract are associated with:

DNA Repair

Collagen synthesis

Oxiden scavenger

UV Radiation absorption Figure on the right shows dose-dependent sunburn cell formation in living skin equiva-lents cells. Pretreatment with Rhodiola rosea significantly reduces the formation of sunburn cells via UVB irradiation. Rhodiola rosea pre-treatment significantly reduces UVB induced sunburn cell formation in LSE. Looking at the UV-Vis spectrum of Rosavins (Rosarin, Rosavin, Rosin), the absortion spectrum has a maximum in same wavelength than UV radiations.

B e n e f i t s o f R ho d i o la f or W r i n k l es : Enhances Skin Barriers : first, preventing your skin from wrinkling is protecting it from sun damage, which is the chief culprit in pre-mature aging of the skin. One study published in the June 2008 issue of the "Journal of Cos-metic Dermatology" showed that extracts of Rhodiola rosea improved the skin's defensive barrier functions against the stress of UV rays. Subjects of this study were classified as having sensitive skin. Supports Elastin Production : Elastin is the rubber band effect in the skin that enables it to bounce back instead of sagging or wrinkling. Genetics play the largest role in determining how fast skin will wrinkle with the fairer skin having the highest risk of damage, according to the experts at SkinCarePhysicians.com. Apply-ing Rhodiola rosea extract to delicate areas of the skin may help prevent premature wrinkling as the herb increases two types of molecular components needed by the body to create elastin. According to the cosmetic company, Origins, one of their skin care products contain-ing Rhodiola showed significant reductions in

line-wrinkles after an 8 week clinical test.

Supports Collagen Production : The dermis is the second of three layers of skin, sitting just below the epidermis. The dermis consists of collective tissues, including elastin and collagen, which support the skin and provide its flexibility. When in good supply, elastin and collagen pre-vent sagging and wrinkling. Imagine the skin as a trampoline, which has to rebound after every stretch and strain. Rhodiola rosea elevates the number of hydroxyproline and hexosamine molecules, which are necessary for the body to make collagen.

A n t i o x i d a n t a n d S t r es s S u p p or t : Rhodio-la rosea can be used to treat the body holistically as it contains neuro-supportive ingredients and antioxidants, which assist the body in coping with stress. Consider the effects of stress and the role it plays in the skin's vibrancy. According to a February 17, 2010 article on the Fox News health blog, Rhodiola rosea contains pharmaco-logical active compounds called rosavins, which are able to assist the body systems with oxygen deprivation, stress and immune support -- all important considerations for skin management.

Rhodiola roots

Comparative HPLC Analysis of Rhodiola rosea roots and Rhodiolife®