Ginseng, one of the most widely used herbs, is hypothesized to play a role in carbohydrate metabolism and diabetes mellitus. We therefore undertook a preliminary short-term clinical study to assess whether American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L) affects postprandial glycemia in humans.

Rhodiola rosea is an herbal supplement that many in the general population in Russia and elsewhere in the world have used for decades to alleviate everyday anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Whether R. rosea is effective in reducing similar symptoms in clinical samples is unknown. The goal of this pilot study was to evaluate whether R. rosea is effective in reducing symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Stress-related fatigue is a widespread problem in the Western world. Psychological stress, for example, can often induce long-term exhaustion and diminished interest, producing a condition known as burnout syndrome. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of the standardised extract SHR-5 of roots of Rhodiola rosea L. in the treatment of individuals suffering from stress-related fatigue.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a repeated low-dose regimen of a special extract of Rhodiola rosea radix, SHR- 5, on a group of students from India, during an exam period with respect to both physical fitness and mental well-being and capacity.

Lectins constitute a class of proteins which possess at least one noncatalytic domain capable of specific recognition and reversible binding to carbohydrate. They have attracted great interest because of their various bio-logical activities, such as cell agglutination, antiprolifera-tive,antitumor, immunomodulatory, antifungal, and antiviral. So far, a number of lectins have been iso-lated and characterized from leguminous species mainly on the basis of hemagglutinating activity.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical study with an extra nontreatment group was performed to measure the effect of a single dose of standardized SHR-5 Rhodiola rosea extract on capacity for mental work against a background of fatigue and stress.

Some preclinical and clinical studies of R. rosea extracts have provided evidence for a number of pharmacological activities, including adaptogenic, antistress, antihypoxic, antioxidant, anticancer, learning and memory enhancing and immune and sexual stimulating effects (Petkov et al., 1986; Darbinyan et al., 2000; Ming et al., 2005; Panossian and Wagner, 2005).

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. In our previous study, we found both Alpinia oxyphylla and Schisandra chinensis can improve the cognitive function of AD. To investigate whether the Alpinia oxyphylla – Schisandra chinensis herb pair (ASHP) has ameliorating effect on cognitive impairment, we used scopolamine to induce learning and memory impairments, as a mouse model of AD.

Schisandra chinensis is generally used as a tonic medicine in Korea and it is a medical plant used in Chinese medicine. Infusions, decoctions, tinctures, and extracts from different parts of schisandra include large percentages of ether oils, resins, trace amounts of vitamin C, tannins, and staining materials, and large amounts of lipid soluble compounds. Moreover, Schisandra chinensis fruits contain a variety of pharmacologically active lignans. These compounds have various pharmacological activities, including detoxificant, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, antihepatotoxic, and anti-inflammatory activities.

American ginseng is the root of Panax quinquefolium, which is currently grown in Canada and eastern USA, similar to Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer. It is an obligate shade perennial plant. American ginseng is a traditional valuable herb, which belongs to Araliaceae ginseng species. It contains various active constituents such as ginsenosides, polysaccharides, polyacetylenes, phenoliccompounds, peptides and essential oils (Lemmon et al., 2012; Yooet al., 2012; Trammell et al., 2012).

The in vitro inhibitory effects of the tincture extract from R. rosea roots was evaluated against the enzymes relating to inflammation. The enzymes include cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and Phospholipase A2 (PLA2). The extract showed varying inhibitory activities against these enzymes depending on the concentrations.

In the present study, the effect of schisandrin on plasma nitrite concentration in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated mice was evaluated. It also significantly inhibited carrageenan-induced paw edema and acetic acid-induced vascular permeability in mice.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether Schisandra chinensis extract (SCE) administration infuences chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depression and cognitive impairment, and explores underlying mechanisms.

Roseroot (Rhodiola rosea L.) belongs to plants revealing adaptogenic properties, which are attributed to the presence of specific phenolic compounds and are reflected mainly as antioxidant activity. The aim of the present study was to determine the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of various products obtained from R. rosea (underground organs as well as their aqueous and ethanolic dry extracts) in relation to the chemical profiles of phenolic and essential oil compounds.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the antioxidant and hepatotective effects of Schisandra chinensis pollen extract (SCPE) on CCl4-induced acute liver damage in mice.

In this study, two polysaccharide fractions (RRP1: Mw = 5.5 kDa, and RRP2: Mw = 425.7 kDa) were isolated from Rhodiola rosea to investigate their antioxidation and hepatoprotective effects. Physicochemical analysis showed that RRP1 was composed of mannose, rhamnose, galacturonic acid, glucose, galactose and arabinose with a relative molar ratio of 0.69:0.11:0.15:1:0.51:7.5 and RRP2 was consisted of mannose, rhamnose, galacturonic acid, glucose, galactose and arabinose (relative molar ratio = 0.15:0.19:1.01:0.18:0.47:1)

This study was designed to examine the effects of Cinnamomi cassiae and Rhodiola rosea extracts on blood glucose, lipid peroxidation, the level of reduced glutathione and its related enzymes (glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase), and the activity of the antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) in the liver of db/db mice.

The cytostatic and antiproliferative effect of the Rhodiola rosea rhizome extract, and its mild action, raises hope for its use in anticancer therapy by enhancing the effectiveness of cytostatics.

Dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans isolated from Schisandra chinensis showed antiproliferative effects in various human cancer cells.

A water-soluble low molecular weight polysaccharide (SCPP11) was extracted and purified using DEAEcellulose and Sephadex G-100 column from Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. Its in vivo and in vitro antitumor and immunomodulatory activity were investigated.

The anxiolytic effect of the saponins from Aniliaeea Panax quinquefolium L. (PQS) was studied in male mice by using a number of experimental paradigms of anxiety and compared with that of the known anxiolytic compound diazepam. Use of the elevated plus-maze test revealed that PQS (50 mg/kg, p.o.) and diazepam (2.5 mg/kg, p.o.) increased the percentage of time and entries spent in open arms.

Asian ginseng has many reported health benefits, including anticancer activities (4-6). In the 1990s, a case–control study on over a thousand Korean subjects showed that long-term ginseng consumption was associated with a decreased risk for many different malignancies (7, 8). In contrast to many studies on Asian ginseng’s anticancer effects, investigation of American ginseng is limited (4) and its mechanisms of action are largely unknown.

The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of standardized extract SHR-5 of rhizomes of Rhodiola rosea L. in patients suffering from a current episode of mild/moderate depression.

P ginseng and P quinquefolium are general tonics and adaptogens. Rg1 and Rb1 enhance central nervous system (CNS) activities, but the effect of the latter is weaker. Thus, for the higher contents of Rg1, P ginseng is a stimulant, whereas the Rb1 contents of P quinquefolium are mainly calming to the CNS.

Panax quinquefolium, known as American ginseng, has been used for stress and fatigue characterized by insomnia, poor appetite, nervousness, and restlessness. It has been used for conditions of weakness, convalescence, low resistance, poor immunity or debility due to chronic disease.

A methanolic extract of dried Schisandra fruit (Schisandra chinensis Baill.; Schisandraceae) significantly attenuated the neurotoxicity induced by L-glutamate in primary cultures of rat cortical cells.

Accumulating clinical evidence concerning the potential benefits of ginseng roots in vascular pathology imply that ginseng species might improve endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness in healthy individuals (Jovanovski et al., 2010) and patients with hypertension and type 2 diabetes by increasing NO bioavailability and preventing free radical injury to the vascular endothelium (Han et al., 2005; Lee and Son, 2011; Xu et al., 2000).

Treatment with R. rosea extract significantly (by 24.6%) prolonged the duration of exhaustive swimming in comparison with control rate and rats treated with R. crenulata. R rosea extract activated the synthesis or resynthesis of ATP in mitochondria and stimulated reparative energy processes after intense exercise. Experiments proved different pharmacological characteristics of R. rosea and R. crenulata: R. rosea is most effective for improving physical working capacity.

Empirical studies have attributed these effects to the action of a group of ginseng-specific saponins known as ginsenosides. There is a growing body of evidence to support Panax ginseng (Asian ginseng) as a cognitive enhancer; Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng) is another prominent species with a ginsenosides profile distinct to that of P. ginseng.

The aim of this study was to determine whether chronic treatment with a hydroalcoholic R. rosea extract (RHO) standardized in 3% rosavin and 1% salidroside can prevent alterations induced in female rats following 6 weeks of a chronic mild stress (CMS) procedure.

It was shown that AM (50, 100, 200 mg/kg) did not interfere with locomotor activity and situational anxiety as measured in the elevated plus maze. In these doses, AM significantly suppressedpentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures (p < 0.05). Its anticonvulsant efficacy was also evident againstrepeated PTZ seizures (p < 0.05). This suggests potential therapeutic usefulness. After subchronic application, the number of cells in hippocampal CA1 was reduced, whilst the cell number in CA3 and hilusremained unaffected.

Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, commonly called ginseng, has been traditionally used to prevent and treat many kinds of diseases in Asia. Ginseng activity has been characterized by biochemical, immunological and pharmacological methods. Two main medicinal fractions derive from ginseng root processing. One fraction is composed of complex water-soluble polysaccharides and oligosaccharides and the other contains ginsenosides.

Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill is a frequently used traditional Chinese medicine, and modern pharmacological research has proven that S. chinensis has antioxidant, anti-hepatotoxity, anti-inflammatory, and anti-nephrotoxic effects.

Our study demonstrates that R. rosea is able to significantly protect, in a dose-dependent manner, human RBC from glutathione (GSH) depletion, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) inactivation and hemolysis induced by the oxidant. Furthermore, we demonstrate that R. rosea aqueous extract acts from the inside of the erythrocyte suggesting a probable involving of cell components.

Astragalus mongholicus Bunge (Leguminosae), known as Huangqi in China, has been used as one of the primary Chinese tonic herbs with a history of thousands of years (Roy and Cathiroe, 1999). In modern Chinese medicine, Huangqi is widely used as an immune modulator, especially to support immune health for various chronic degenerative diseases.

The in vitro anti-influenza virus activities of flavonoids 1–6, 8–12, and 14 were evaluated using two influenza viral strains, H1N1 (A/PR/8/34) and H9N2 (A/Chicken/Korea/MS96/96), testing their ability to reduce virus-induced cytopathic effect (CPE) in MDCK cells.

This pilot trial sought to investigate whether any of three doses of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) might help cancer-related fatigue. A secondary aim was to evaluate toxicity.‍

The preventive effect of schisandrin B (Sch B), an antioxidant ingredient of Schisandra chinensis, was studied on scopolamine-induced dementia in mouse.

Neurons with atrophic neurites may remain alive and therefore may have the potential to regenerate even when neuronal death has occurred in some parts of the brain. We have hypothesized that reconstructing neuronal networks in the injured brain is essential for the recovery of brain function (Tohda et al., 2005).

Schisandra chinensis is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine used mainly as a recipe for hepatoprotection. Modern researches have revealed that the hepatoprotection is related to its lignans and crude polysaccharide.

Heat-processed Asian ginseng roots (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer), also known as “red ginseng” in Asia, are reported to have more bioactivity than the no-processed white ginseng roots. Therefore, American fresh ginseng roots (Panax quinquefolius L.) were processed to the red ginseng and examined changes in bioactivity during heating process.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the R. rosea roots aqueous extract on in vitro human erythrocytes exposed to hypochlorous acid (HOCl)-oxidative stress.

We demonstrated that a R. rosea extract and one of its bioactive components, salidroside, inhibited the growth of bladder cancer cell lines with a minimal effect on nonmalignant bladder epithelial cells TEU-2. Interestingly, the R. rosea extract and salidroside component exhibited a selective ability to inhibit the growth of p53 knockout primary mouse embryo fibroblasts (p53
/
MEFs) compared to their wild-type counterparts.

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a dominant, late-onset disease characterized by choreiform movements, cognitive decline, and personality disturbance. It is caused by a polyglutamine repeat expansion in the Huntington’s disease gene encoding for the Huntingtin protein (Htt) which functions as a scafold for selective macroautophagy.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia in the elderly and accounts for between 50 and 75 % of all cases. By 2030 it is estimated that more than 65 million people will be living with dementia, with projections almost doubling every 20 years.

The aim of this work was thus to determine whether in rats an hydroalcoholic R. rosea extract standardized in 3% rosavin and 1% salidroside (RHO) reverses hypophagia induced by (1) physical stress due to 60 min immobilization; (2) intracerebroventricular injection of corticotrophinreleasing factor (CRF,0.2 f..l.g/rat), the major mediator of stress responses in mammals; (3) intraperitoneal injection of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 100 f..l.g/kg); (4) intraperitoneal administration of fluoxetine (FLU, Brng/kg).

Rhodiola rosea extracts have been used as a dietary supplement in healthy populations, including athletes, to non-specifically enhance the natural resistance of the body to both physical and behavior stresses for fighting fatigue and depression.

Due to its purported adaptogenic properties, it has been studied for its performance-enhancing capabilities in healthy populations and its therapeutic properties in a number of clinical populations. To systematically review evidence of efficacy and safety of R. rosea for physical and mental fatigue.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of repeated low-dose treatment with a standardized extract SHR/5 of rhizome Rhodiola rosea L, (RRE) on fatigue during night duty among a group of 56 young, healthy physicians.

In physiological conditions, the response to oxidative stress induced by strenuous physical training, is not always efficient. Furthermore, a weak muscle fiber antioxidant system can contribute to muscle wasting during ageing and pathological conditions. Natural antioxidant supplements could counteract the effects of oxidative stress.

Rhodiola rosea (rose root) belonging to the family Crassulaceae is a popular medicinal plant in Russia, Scandinavia, and many other countries. Extracts of the roots of this plant have been found to favorably affect a number of physiological functions including neurotransmitter levels, central nervous system activity, and cardiovascular function.

Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill (S. chinensis) has been used for thousands years in China, and is usually applied in treatment of urinary tract disorders and liver injury. S. chinensis extract (SCE) has board protective effects on liver, kidney and nervous system.

In the present study, we examined the effect of schisandrin (SCH) of Schisandra chinensis on the amyloid-beta1–42- (Aβ1–42-) induced memory impairment in mice and elucidated the possible antioxidative mechanism.

The roots of Panax quinquefolium, Panax notoginseng, Glehnia littoralis, Codonopsis pilosula and Pseudostellaria heterophylla were extracted with an aqueous extraction method and also with an organic extraction method. The aqueous extracts of Glehnia littoralis and Codonopsis pilosula were the most potent in inhibiting erythrocyte hemolysis.

Dietary supplements are a popular self-administered remedy among patients for symptoms that have no known effective treatment; CRF is no exception. Coenzyme Q 10, L-Carnitine, guarana, and ginseng have been used for fatigue and subsequently studied. Based on their role in cellular energy production, both coenzyme Q 10 and L-Carnitine were evaluated in placebo-controlled trials for CRF; they were found to be no more helpful than placebos (19,20). Guarana has supportive data from a phase II placebo-controlled trial (21), warranting further research.