Rhodiola

Rhodiola rosea is an extraordingary plant of outstanding importance for human health. Rhodiola can be used for many of the health problems of modern times. The most popular use of Rhodiola is for mental and physical stress. However, Rhodiola has a whole range of other applications. For example, it has an effect on the little-known aging process of our immune system. You will find out more below. First, here is some general information about the Rhodiola plant.

Rhodiola Grows in Extreme Climatic Conditions.

Rhodiola rosea is one of many Rhodiola species. Besides Rhodiola rosea, Rhodiola crenulata has important uses in phytotherapy. Rhodiola rosea is also called rodia riza, golden root or rose root. In the English-speaking world Rhodiola is also known as King’s Crown and in Chinese it is called Hong Jing Tian. Rhodiola is not one of the rose plants as its name suggests. The name “rose root” came into being because the root has a scent of roses.
Rhodiola rosea usually grows in the Arctic north. Today, Rhodiola is found mainly in northern Europe, Siberia and Alaska. Rhodiola thus grows under extreme climatic conditions on poor soils. Nevertheless, the plant is sturdy and strong.
The two main ingredients of Rhodiola rosea are rosavin and the salidroside. The world salidroside originates from the name of a plant called rhodioloside. The chemical name for salidroside is p-hydroxyphenethyl-beta-d-glucoside. Rhodiola rosea also contains rosarin, rosin and tyrosol. Rosavin is contained in Rhodiola rosea, but not in Rhodiola crenulata.

Rhodiola rosea as an Anti-stress Remedy

Rhodiola is known as an agent for increasing energy and counteracting mental fatigue. Rhodiola seems to be a good remedy for people suffering from stress.
Modern life has become much faster and more stressful. Impacts that affect our senses have multiplied. Demands in professional life and also in leisure time have increased enormously. In addition, during our resting phases, we barely relax, but put ourselves under continued stress by excessive television, use of computers, mobile phones and other activities.

In particularly severe cases the so-called “burnout” is inevitable. The frequency of this phenomenon has increased enormously. At that point people are no longer able to work or take care of the family or themselves. Resting phases are no longer experienced as recuperation and every requirement is perceived as burdensome.

Rhodiola rosea an Adaptogen

Rhodiola rosea is regarded as a so-called adaptogen. An adaptogen is a substance that can increase the resistance to external influences such as stress in mental and physical areas. The effect of an adaptogen becomes all the stronger the greater the pathogenic influences are on a person. An adaptogen is also characterized by the fact that it mitigates excessive reactions, but activates inhibited functions. It therefore has a balancing effect.

If an unbearable feeling of stress occurs, one should of course always think about psychological help and possibly develop new life strategies and achieve stress reduction by changing living conditions.

In order to alleviate the effects of stress on the body and support the healing process, the use of Rhodiola may be very helpful. Rhodiola acts as a “balancer” (balancing remedy) of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system which is known as the “involuntary nervous system” and also called “autonomic nervous system”, i.e, the part of the nervous system which cannot be influenced by our will. With increased stress, activity of the sympathetic nervous system is increased. The sympathetic nervous system is active when people remain in an “alert mode”. Activity of the parasympathetic nervous system, which is important for the healing reactions of the body and for resting, is reduced with stress.The result is a feeling of burnout and a lack of energy which may progress to depression.
Rhodiola can make the body and soul more resistant to stress. Thereby Rhodiola presents a number of effects. It is not a so-called “single-target drug”, but rather a “multi-target drug”.
A Single-target drug is a substance, in this case mostly an artificially produced drug, which has a very specific starting point in the body, for example, to “dock” onto a particular cell receptor. Other effects on the body are ideally not present. If the medication has additional effects, they are usually dreaded side effects. This is usually quite different in the case of plant substances; here, the healing effect usually consists of a whole series of effects which can synergistically produce a healing effect.

Rhodiola has an Effect on Anxiety and Insomnia

Rhodiola was able to ease anxiety and improve mood. In a study at the University of Camerino in Italy, the antidepressant effect of Rhodiola was demonstrated in animal experiments. Under the influence of Rhodiola. the mood improved and anxiety feelings were less pronounced. With anxiety and insomnia, salidroside from Rhodiola could significantly improve the symptoms.

Rhodiola Influences Brain Activity

One of the important affects of Rhodiola regarding stress situations its impact on the “monoaminergic system”. For example, a study from 2016 showed the influence of rhodiolosides from Rhodiola rosea on the “monoaminergic system”. The “monoaminergic system” attempts to “sort” influences and stimuli in the brain. Thus Rhodiola was able to alleviate sensory overload. [1]
An additional study showed the effect of Rhodiola on important neurotransmitters in the brain. The so-called happiness hormone serotonin, noradrenaline and also body-specific opioids were positively influenced. [2]

A Healthy Nervous System is Indispensible

The effect of Rhodiola on neurotransmitters seems be kind of a calming action on the feelings of people. The calming effect is important to allow the mind to rest and the brain to process stimuli better.
At the same time, Rhodiola also has activating properties. It promotes important brain functions, such as memory and cognitive performance.
The effect on the brain is not due to sedative or diminishing properties, but rather to the ability of the mind to process stimuli better. [3]

Rhodiola seems to support the healthy brain functions precisely under stress.
In one study, 56 young doctors were given 170 mg of Rhodiola extract per day. During this period the physicians were on night shift and thus under relatively great emotional and physical stress. Certain tests were carried out that measured cognitive functions such as memory function, associative thinking, and short-term memory under these stress conditions. It was shown that the intake of Rhodiola once more improved these parameters, which are normally worsened during stress phases. No side effects were observed. [4]

In another study, 27 healthy students, who were taking examinations were given Rhodiola. Performance improvement could be noted and the examination phase was better tolerated. Rhodiola diminished feelings of exhaustion. Test persons were able to cope better with their tasks and were mentally more relaxed and rested. [5]

A further study showed evidence of the neuroprotective capacity of salidroside. Salidroside protected brain cells from harmful influences in an animal experiment. [6]

Rhodiola Improves Athletic Performance

In addition to enhancing mental performance, Rhodiola can also improve physical performance. In a randomized double-blind study, 24 young adults were given 200 mg of Rhodiola extract 1 hour before exercise. One dose contained 6 mg rosavin and 2 mg salidroside. Endurance performance could be significantly improved. Oxygen and carbon dioxide metabolism was significantly improved and the pulmonary function tended to an increased respiration performance. This study was published in the scientific journal International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism. [7]

A significant increase in physical performance was also demonstrated in animal experiments. With administration of Rhodiola, swimming distance could be increased by up to 25%. In this study, also two important Rhodiola species were compared. The effect described applies only to Rhodiola rosea, but not to Rhodiola crenulata. Rhodiola rosea increased the synthesis of ATP and thus led to an increase in the ATP content in the mitochondria. ATP or adenosine-tri-phosphate is the universal energy carrier of humans and all animals. The mitochondria are the power stations of the cell in which the ATP is generated by the cell respiration. Rhodiola rosea also stimulated repair mechanisms after physical activity. In this experiment, however, high concentrations of up to 50 mg per kg body weight were administered. [8]

Less Muscle Damage with Intake of Rhodiola

Strong physical effort can cause muscle damage in the sense of micro-traumatisation of muscle cells. This results in the “muscle soreness” known to all of us. Likewise, physical exercises can lead to inflammatory reactions. Intake of Rhodiola rosea could significantly reduce this inflammation reaction, which occurs regularly after exhausting physical activity. Muscular regeneration was also improved.
In an experiment, untrained volunteers were given Rhodiola rosea extract and another control group received a placebo. Both groups then had to work relatively hard physically. With administration of Rhodiola, an important inflammatory parameter, the C-reactive protein, was significantly reduced in the blood in comparison to the persons who have not received Rhodiola. Decreased C-reactive protein concentration in the blood indicated a lower inflammatory response in muscles after sports. Concentration of creatinine kinase was also reduced by administration of Rhodiola. Creatinine kinase is a reliable marker for muscle damage. That is, the less creatine kinase is detectable, the lower the muscle damage. Rhodiola rosea was thus able to alleviate the negative effects of severe muscle strain. If considering that serious injuries are caused by cumulative over-exertions, especially in professional sports, Rhodiola rosea could also be used as a good means to prevent injuries. [9]

Rhodiola and Inflammation

Rhodioloside also called salidroside, is next to rosavin one of the two most important ingredients of Rhodiola. Salidroside has a significant effect on inflammatory mediators. Inflammatory mediators, including certain cytokines, are substances that the body produces. They are secreted to initiate, increase and maintain inflammation. In a study from 2016, it could be shown that certain pro-inflammatory, that is inflammatory-promoting cytokines are reduced by taking Rhodiola. Administration of rhodioloside (salidroside) led to lower blood levels of the cytokines interleukin-1-beta (IL-1β) and interleukin 6 (IL 6). Activation of NF-kappaB was also inhibited. NF-kappaB has a major influence on the inflammatory process and thus influencing NF-kappaB is a sensible strategy to mitigate inflammation. [10]

In addition to its function as an inflammatory mediator, the cytokine interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) has further important effects on the metabolism. It leads to an increased release of cortisol (the endogenous cortisone) from the adrenal cortex. This is done by stimulating an increased release of the “releasing hormone” for cortisol from the hypothalamus in the brain. Releasing hormones regulate the hormonal release of the glands in the human body.
All human cells have a receptor for IL-1β. If, for example, this receptor is activated on the endothelial cells of the blood vessels by IL-1β, then the formation of prostaglandin E2 increases. Prostaglandin E2 inhibits fat metabolism (inhibition of lipolysis) resulting in fat deposits. Salidroside from Rhodiola has, as described, an inhibitory effect on IL-1β and thus prevents the accumulation of fat in the arteries and consequently possibly also has a protective effect against arteriosclerosis (arterial calcification).

Rhodiola and the “Central Energy Regulator” AMPK

AMPK or “AMP-activated protein kinase” is an enzyme that acts as a kind of sensor in the cell. AMPK is practically able to “determine” the energy state in the body. If the energy level in the cell is low, AMPK is activated. A low energy state means low ATP levels. The universal energy carrier adenosine triphosphate (ATP), already described above, is “produced” mainly in the mitochondria. If the concentration of ATP in the cell is low, it results in high AMP levels (adenosine monophosphate). AMP then activates AMPK.

AMPK plays a key role in regulating the energy balance of the cell and thus the whole body. AMPK is thus of central importance for glucose and fat metabolism.

When AMPK is activated, it has important implications for the metabolism. For example, less sugar and fat are synthesized by the liver. The dangerous “metabolic syndrome” is counteracted. Metabolic syndrome is characterized by increased abdominal fat, increased blood pressure, disturbed changes in fat and sugar metabolism. The “metabolic syndrome” is therefore also called a deadly quartet, since serious diseases can result. All of these health-endangering processes resulting from an oversupply of foodstuffs can be reversed by the activation of AMPK. Decreased AMPK values, on the other hand, are associated with a number of diseases. These include increased LDL cholesterol levels, mitochondrial dysfunction, elevated blood glucose levels, chronic inflammation, accumulation of senescent cells, cardiac disorders, increased blood lipid and increased abdominal fat deposits.

But AMPK can do much more. AMPK also interacts with the important enzymes sirtuins and mTOR which are involved in the aging process.
Sirtuins are proteins that can influence important metabolic pathways. They thus have an effect on the inflammatory process, the aging process, the controlled cell death and the reading of the DNA (transcription). MTOR is an enzyme which in turn can activate other important enzymes and proteins, and thus has a great influence on human metabolism.

Autophagy – Cell Cleaning for Health Maintenance of the Whole Person

Salidroside from Rhodiola can activate autophagy processes in the cells. [11]
AMPK, which can also be activated by Rhodiola as described above, has an effect on autophagy. The so-called “AMPK / mTor signal path” activates the important autophagy processes. Autophagy is an enormously important process in the human cell. Autophagy is the ability of the cell to degrade substances. It is thus the process in the cell of eliminating useless or even dangerous substances, in other words, autophagy is the cellular trash disposal. For example, enzyme proteins which are not useful because they are not properly “folded”, i.e. they are not functional for the cell, are degraded. Just recently, the Nobel Prize in Medicine for the topic of autophagy was awarded. Autophagy can also protect the cell from the dangerous effects of toxic agents. On the other hand, if the autophagy process is inhibited, it has fatal consequences. The toxic properties of the heavy metal lead, for example, can be explained by the inhibition of the autophagy processes. Logical consequence is that substances that can enhance the AMPK/ mTor signaling path can also neutralize the toxic properties of lead on autophagy, which as described, activates autophagy processes via AMPK/mTor-mediated signaling pathway. [12]

Altered autophagy processes in the development of cancer are also discussed. Autophagy can be understood as a type of ” cleaning” in the cell to prevent degeneration.

Rhodiola rosea has a significant influence on autophagic processes.

A study showed the influence of salidrodides from Rhodiola on colorectal cancer cells, as evoked by autophagic processes. [13]

Rhodiola and Liver Diseases

The fatty liver is one of the fatal sequelae (secondary diseases) of the so-called metabolic syndrome.
A metabolic syndrome is existent when a person suffers from hypertension, increased abdominal fat, disturbed lipid metabolism and reduced glucose tolerance (precursor of diabetes). One Rhodiola species (Rhodiola crenulata) showed a positive influence on the fat and glycogen metabolism of the liver. This effect was mediated by the AMPK signaling pathway. This effect (impact) should also apply to Rhodiola rosea, since Rhodiola rosea also contains salidroside as does Rhodiola crenulata. In addition, rosavin is also contained in Rhodiola rosea. [14]

Rhodiola and Hope for Diabetics

In a further study the effect of Rhodiola crenulate on the blood glucose level was shown. Blood glucose levels could be lowered.
In the liver, the gluconeogenesis, i.e. the endogenous formation of sugars, was inhibited. This effect is probably mediated by the activation of the AMPK signaling pathway.
As described above, this effect can also be assigned to Rhodiola rosea. Firstly, because Rhodiola activates AMPK and secondly, it also contains the ingredient salidroside like Rhodiola crenulata does. [15]

Rhodiola rosea Affects Lipid Cells

In this study, the effect of the two important ingredients salidroside and rosavin from Rhodiola rosea were compared. Gene expression involved in fat formation (adipogenesis) was significantly reduced by rosavin. Rosavin thus leads to significantly lower fat accumulation.
On the other hand, salidroside promoted fat burning (lipolysis) more strongly than rosavin.
Rosavin resulted in a lower intake of triglycerides into the fat cells rather than salidroside. Salidroside and rosavin inhibited the function of fat cells (adipocytes). Thus, the gene expression involved in fat cell function was significantly reduced under the influence of rosavin and salidroside, and the gene expression involved in the inhibition of fat cells production (adipogenesis) increased.
Therefore, it is important to use Rhodiola rosea, since (as) it contains salidroside and rosavin. [16]

Antioxidant Properties as One of the Effect Mechanisms of Rhodiola

A study showed that salidroside can protect human nerve cells from oxidative stress. This was achieved, among other things, by the induction (activation) of important endogenous antioxidant enzymes.
This mechanism of action of salidroside or rhodiola could be a promising important agent for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Salidroside and Nrf2 as a Detoxification Master

The latest study, published in September 2016, showed the protective effect of salidroside against UVB rays. A so-called up-regulation (activation) of the Nrf2 gene expression is assumed as the mechanism of action. Nrf2 is an extremely important transcription factor which activates over 200 genes that are important for the detoxification of the body.
Nrf2 thus has kind of a key role in the detoxification of the body. Salidroside could thus, via effect of Nrf2, have a number of other effects that impact the detoxification of the body. [17]

Salidroside Effect on Dengue Fever and the Immune System

A study published in August 2016, showed the positive effect of salidroside on dengue fever infection. The dengue virus is transmitted by the dengue mosquito. Salidroside inhibits the viral protein synthesis of the dengue virus, so that the virus cannot multiply in humans. Salidroside also stimulates the immune system. It promotes the gene expression of endogenous immune factors. The fact that no causal therapy is known for dengue fever makes this finding particularly valuable. The greatest danger of dengue fever is hemorrhagic fever. This results in a decreasing number of blood platelets (trombocytes), and consequently may lead to dangerous internal bleeding with a very high fatality rate. Dengue fever occurs in Africa and Central America and is considered a ubiquitous disease risk, especially among the poorer population. Stagnant waters, such as water tanks for drinking water supplies, harbor the risk of multiplication of the dengue mosquito. [18]

Tumor Diseases and Rhodiola

In a study published in the journal Cell Biology and Toxicology, Dec. 2010, the effect of salidroside on various tumor cell lines was investigated. Research on the effect of substances on tumor cell lines is a very simple procedure to examine substances for potential anticancer agents. Cell lines are isolated cells that are placed in a test tube with the appropriate substances. This may indicate that this is also the case in vivo, that is, in the living organism.
In the study described, researchers noted an inhibitory influence of salidroside on various tumors. Growth of tumor cells was inhibited. It could be shown that the cell division in phases G1 and G2 came to a halt.
The naming of the G1 phase of cell division comes from the English “gap” meaning space or interval since this is the period between nucleus division and DNA synthesis. [19]

A study published in September 2016 describes conventional chemotherapeutics as a partial “single target drug”. The authors want to express the fact that the research is usually restricted to one receptor or mechanism of action.
Natural substances, such as polyphenols from green tea and also from Rhodiola rosea extract are described as “pleiotropic”, meaning you have many approaches to influence human metabolism. [20]

Heart Diseases

Rhodiola is traditionally used in Tibet for irregular heart beat (arrhythmia). A study from the year 2016 was able to confirm and prove this effect in animal experiments. [21]

Telomeres

Telomeres are the “end pieces” of heredity, the DNA. These become shorter and shorter with each cell division and thus can result in faulty cell divisions. Here, cell clusters and organ functions can be irreversibly affected.
A mixture of several substances, which also contained Rhodiola, was able to activate the enzyme telomerase. The best-known species Astragalus membranaceus with its ingredient Astragaloside IV was also contained. [22]

Arterial Health and Mitochondria

An animal study was able to show that Rhodiola salidroside has an effect on the endothelial cells. The endothelial cells are the cells whose function is important for the blood vessels. If their function is disturbed, it can result in so-called “endothelial dysfunctions” and thus lead to increased blood pressure and arteriosclerosis. [23]

Cell studies have shown that Rhodiola can strengthen the mitochondria in endothelial cells. Functional mitochondria are one of the most important requirements for cell health. [24]

Homocysteine is a known substance in the amino acid metabolism and a risk factor for developing arterial calcification, resulting in myocardial infarction and stroke as a secondary disease. Homocysteine leads to increased cell death (apoptosis) of the important endothelial cells. Rhodiola was able to reduce the effect of homocysteine on endothelial cells. [25]

Aging of the Immune System

As time goes by, our immune system begins to age. One speaks of the so-called immune senescence. Consequences are increased susceptibility to infectious diseases, or lower resistance to viruses already present in the body which can reactivate. These include herpes viruses, shingles or viruses such as glandular fever (mononucleosis infectiosa)
Likewise, inflammation and autoimmune diseases may increase.
Typical old-age diseases such as tumor diseases, Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular diseases can then occur more frequently. In old age, the cells of the thymus gland are increasingly destroyed.
As a young person, one possesses an increased number of naive T-lymphocytes. These are lymphocytes that are not yet activated which decrease drastically with old age, so that from the age of 50 none or scarcely any naive T-lymphocytes are present.
With age, B-lymphocytes also decrease. This leads to age-related leukopenia.
However, NK cells are increasing with age. This shift in the number of immune cells leads to a changed cytokine environment. The result is poorer maturation of the B lymphocytes and lower production of antibodies.

Rhodiola Significantly Reduced Cell Death of T- lymphocytes [26]

Rhodiola is thus able to alleviate the aging of the immune system and thereby reduce the described secondary diseases in their frequency.

Application of Rhodiola

It is advisable to choose a dose from 200 to 400 mg per day. It is important that the extract contains approximately 5% rosavine and 2% salidroside. At a dose of 400 mg, these are 20 mg of rosavine and 8 mg of salidroside.
Rosavins consist of rosavin, rosin and rosarin. Rosavins are only contained in Rhodiola rosea, but not in other Rhodiola species which contain salidroside.
Furthermore, Rhodiola rosea has been extensively studied for side effects and its safety has been confirmed. Other Rhodiola species were not studied as intensive.

Rhodiola rosea should be taken on an empty stomach. It is best to be taken before breakfast and at a dosage of 2 capsules before lunch. Rhodiola should not be taken in the evening as it can have a stimulating effect.
Pregnant and nursing women should not take Rhodiola for safety reasons, as no adequate studies are available.

[1] Xu Zhang, Qianming Du, Chao Liu, Yan Yang, Jianing Wang, Suqian Duan, Junguo Duan
Rhodioloside ameliorates depressive behavior via up-regulation of monoaminergic system activity and anti-inflammatory effect in olfactory bulbectomized rats.
International Immunopharmacology, July 2016

[2] Gregory S. Kelly
Rhodiola rosea: a possible plant adaptogen.
Altern Med Rev., Juni 2001

[3] Richard P. Brown, Patricia L. Gerbarg, Zakir Ramazanov
Rhodiola rosea: A Phytomedicinal Overview.
Herbalgram, 2002

[4] V. Darbinyan, A. Kteyan, A. Panossian, E. Gabrielian, G. Wikman, H. Wagner
Rhodiola rosea in stress induced fatigue – a double blind cross-over study of a standardized extract SHR-5 with a repeated low-dose regimen on the mental performance of healthy physicians during night duty.
Phytomedicine, October 2000

[5] Richard P. Brown, Patricia L. Gerbarg, Zakir Ramazanov
Rhodiola rosea: A Phytomedicinal Overview.
Herbalgram. 2002

[6] Shu Yu, Mei Liu, Xiaosong Gu, Fei Ding
Neuroprotective effects of salidroside in the PC12 cell model exposed to hypoglycemia and serum limitation.
Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, December 2008

[7] K. De Bock, BO. Eijnde , M. Ramaekers, P. Hespel
Acute Rhodiola rosea intake can improve endurance exercise performance.
International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism”, June 2004

[8] M. Abidov, F. Crendal, S. Grachev, R. Seifulla, T. Ziegenfuss
Effect of extracts from Rhodiola rosea and Rhodiola crenulata (Crassulaceae) roots on ATP content in mitochondria of skeletal muscles.
Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine, December 2003

[9] M. Abidov, S. Grachev, R. Seifulla, T. Ziegenfuss
Extract of Rhodiola rosea radix reduces the level of C-reactive protein and creatinine kinase in the blood.
Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine, July 2004

[10] Xu Zhang, Qianming Du, Chao Liu, Yan Yang, Jianing Wang, Suqian Duan, Junguo Duan
Rhodioloside ameliorates depressive behavior via up-regulation of monoaminergic system activity and anti-inflammatory effect in olfactory bulbectomized rats.
International Immunopharmacology, July 2016

[11] Xiang-Jun Fan Yao Wang Lei Wang Mingyan Zhu
Salidroside induces apoptosis and autophagy in human colorectal cancer cells through inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.
Oncology Reports, December 2016

[12] Xiangbin Song, Zifa Li, Fei Liu, Zhenyong Wang, Lin Wang
Restoration of autophagy by puerarin in lead-exposed primary rat proximal tubular cells via regulating AMPK-mTOR signaling.
Journal of Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology, October 2016

[13] Xiang-Jun Fan, Yao Wang, Lei Wang, Mingyan Zhu
Salidroside induces apoptosis and autophagy in human colorectal cancer cells through inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway
Oncology Reports, September 2016

[14] Kuen-Tze Lin, Shih-Wei Hsu, Feng-Yi Lai, Tsu-Chung Chang, Li-Shian Shi and Shih-Yu Lee
Rhodiola crenulata extract regulates hepatic glycogen and lipid metabolism via activation of the AMPK pathway.
BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, May 2016

[15] Shih-Yu Leea, , Feng-Yi Laib, , Li-Shian Shic, , Yu-Ching Choud, , I-Chuan Yene, , Tsu-Chung Chang
Rhodiola crenulata extract suppresses hepatic gluconeogenesis via activation of the AMPK pathway.
Phytomedicine, April 2015

[16] Elena Pomari, Bruno Stefanon, Monica Colitti
Effects of Two Different Rhodiola rosea Extracts on Primary Human Visceral Adipocytes.
Molecules, May 2015

[17] Xiao-Ying Yuan, Xiao-Wen Pang, Guo-Qiang Zhang, and Jian-You Guo
Salidroside’s Protection Against UVB-Mediated Oxidative Damage and Apoptosis Is Associated with the Upregulation of Nrf2 Expression.
Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, September 2016

[18] Navita Sharma, K. P. Mishr, Lilly Ganju
Salidroside exhibits anti-dengue virus activity by upregulating host innate immune factors.
Archives of Virology, December 2016

[19] Xiaolan Hu, Shuxin Lin, Daihua Yu, Shuifeng Qiu, Xianqi Zhang, Ruhuan Mei
A preliminary study: the anti-proliferation effect of salidroside on different human cancer cell lines.
Cell Biology and Toxicology, December 2010

[20] Paramasivan Poornima, Jothi Dinesh Kumar, Qiaoli Zhao, Martina Blunder, Thomas Efferth
Network pharmacology of cancer: From understanding of complex interactomes to the design of multi-target specific therapeutics from nature.
Pharmacological Research, September 2016

[21] Shuen-Hsin Liu, Ya-Wen, Eric Chong, Rahul Singhal, Man-Cai Fong, Yung-Nan Tsai, Chiao-Po Hsu, Yao-Chang Chen, Yi-Jen Chen, Chuen-Wang Chiou, Shuo-Ju Chiang, Shih-Lin Chang, Shih-Ann Chen
Rhodiola Inhibits Atrial Arrhythmogenesis in a Heart Failure Model.
Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, September 2016

[22] G. Ait-Ghezala, S. Hassan, M. Tweed, D. Paris, G. Crynen, Z. Zakirova, S. Crynen S, Crawford F.
Identification of Telomerase-activating Blends From Naturally Occurring Compounds.
Alternative Therapies In Health And Medicine, June 2016

[23] Carmine Savoia, Lidia Sada, Luigi Zezza, Lorenzo Pucci, Francesco Maria Lauri, Alberto Befani, Alessandro Alonzo, Massimo Volpe
Vascular inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in experimental hypertension.
International Journal of Hypertension, July 2011

[24] Shasha Xing, Xiaoyan Yang, Wenjing Li, Fang Bian, Dan Wu, Jiangyang Chi, Gao Xu, Yonghui Zhang, Si Jin
Salidroside stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis and protects against H₂O₂-induced endothelial dysfunction.
Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, April 2014

[25] Sin Bond Leung, Huina Zhang, Chi Wai Lau, Yu Huang, Zhixiu Lin
Salidroside improves homocysteine-induced endothelial dysfunction by reducing oxidative stress.
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, February 2013

[26] Ming-Wei Liu, Mei-Xian Su, Wei Zhang, Lin-Ming Zhang, Yun-Hui Wang, Chuan-Yun Qian
Rhodiola rosea suppresses thymus T-lymphocyte apoptosis by downregulating tumor necrosis factor-α-induced protein 8-like-2 in septic rats.
International Journal of Molecular Medicine, August 2015