Protective effects of salidroside on chronic heart failure in rats and the underlying mechanisms

The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of salidroside on chronic heart failure (CHF) in rats and to explore the underlying mechanisms. One hundred SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operated, model, and low-, medium- and high-dose salidroside groups. The CHF model was established in later 4 groups. The later 3 groups were intragastrically administrated with 6, 12 and 24 mg/kg salidroside, respectively, once a day, for continuous 4 weeks. Finally, the serum levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), cardiac function indexes, and expression levels of myocardial cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase (Caspase)-3, Caspase-9, matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) protein were determined. Results showed that, after treatment, compared with model group, in high-dose salidroside group the heart function indexes were significantly improved (P < 0.05), the serum levels of BNP and IL-6 were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), the expression levels of myocardial Caspase-3, Caspase-9 and MMP-1 protein were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), and the expression level of TIMP-1 protein was significantly increased (P < 0.05). In conclusion, salidroside has obvious protective effects on CHF in rats. The mechanisms may be related to its regulation of cardiomyocyte apoptosis and ventricular remodelingregulation related protein expressions

Morphofunctional Renal Alterations in Progeny of Mice Fed Rhodiola kirilowii Extracts or Epigallocatechin During Pregnancy and Lactation.

Treating infections in pregnant patients is potentially dangerous even when herbal medicines are used. Many herbal medicines, among them extracts from plants of Rhodiola genus, have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and immunostimulatory properties owing to their polyphenol content; they may, however, affect fetal development due to their antiangiogenic properties. The aim of this study was to explain whether daily feeding pregnant and lactating mice with 20 mg/kg Rhodiola kirilowii aqueous (RKW) or 50% hydro-alcoholic (RKW-A) extracts, or 0.2 mg/kg epigallocatechin (EGC, antiangiogenic compound of Rhodiola extracts), may lead to abnormalities in morphology and function of the kidneys of adult progeny. Such abnormalities were not observed in the kidneys of 6-week-old offspring, neither in RKW nor in the control group. However, the progeny of RKW-A- or EGC-fed mothers presented morphometric abnormalities in the kidney structure, with a significantly higher number of glomeruli/mm2 and a lower diameter of glomeruli (RKW-A group) or a significantly higher glomeruli diameter (EGC), than in the control and RKW groups. Abnormalities in serum vascular endothelial growth factor, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, urea, creatinine, and cystatin C levels were also found. We recommend caution in long-term use of RKW-A extract and EGC-rich foods during pregnancy and lactation.

The Effects of Rhodiola rosea L. Extract on Anxiety, Stress, Cognition and Other Mood Symptoms.

This trial evaluated the impact of a Rhodiola rosea L. extract on self-reported anxiety, stress, cognition, and other mood symptoms. Eighty mildly anxious participants were randomized into two different groups of either Rhodiola rosea L (2 × 200 mg dose Vitano®, 1 tablet taken before breakfast and 1tablet before lunch) or a control condition (no treatment). Self-report measures and cognitive tests were completed at four testing sessions over a period of 14 days. Relative to the controls, the experimental group demonstrated a significant reduction in self-reported, anxiety, stress, anger, confusion and depression at 14 days and a significant improvements in total mood. No relevant differences in cognitive performance between the groups were observed. Rhodiola rosea L (Vitano®) presented a favourable safety tolerability profile. Although this was a non-placebo controlled trial, it is unlikely that the findings were the result of placebo effects as changes appeared gradual and were specific to certain psychological measures. However, we cannot determine a causal relationship; further investigations are recommended to support the effects of Rhodiola rosea L. extract on stress related symptoms.

Therapeutic effects and safety of Rhodiola rosea extract WS® 1375 in subjects with life-stress symptoms--results of an open-label study.

The trial was conducted to investigate the therapeutic effects and safety of a 4 week treatment with Rhodiola rosea extract WS® 1375 in subjects with life-stress symptoms. This was a multicentre, non-randomized, open-label, single-arm trial. One hundred and one subjects were enrolled in this clinical study and received the study drug at a dose of 200 mg twice daily for 4 weeks. Assessments with seven questionnaires included Numerical Analogue Scales of Subjective Stress Symptoms, Perceived Stress Questionnaire, Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory 20, Numbers Connecting Test, Sheehan Disability Scale and Clinical Global Impressions to cover various aspects of stress symptoms and adverse events. Invariably, all tests showed clinically relevant improvements with regard to stress symptoms, disability, functional impairment and overall therapeutic effect. Improvements were observed even after 3 days of treatment, as were continuing improvements after 1 and 4 weeks. Rhodiola rosea extract WS® 1375 was safe and generally well tolerated. Adverse events were mostly of mild intensity and no serious adverse events were reported. Rhodiola extract at a dose of 200 mg twice daily for 4 weeks is safe and effective in improving life-stress symptoms to a clinically relevant degree.

Herbal medicine--sets the heart racing!

The potential for pharmaceuticals to produce side effects and drug interactions is well known to medical practitioners and the lay public alike. However, the potential for alternative medicines to produce such effects is less widely known. We describe a potentially dangerous interaction between a herbal medicine and concomitant selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) ingestion.