Rhodiola Rosea L. (roseroot) its Cultural history and pharmacological effects

Héthelyi, B. Éva and Galambosi, Bertalan and Hedvig, Győry (2022) Rhodiola Rosea L. (roseroot) its Cultural history and pharmacological effects. In: Aegyptus et Pannonia VII. Magyar-Egyiptomi Baráti Társaság, Ókori Egyiptomi Bizottság, Budapest, pp. 273-310. ISBN 9786156571014

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Abstract

Rhodiola rosea (Crassulaceae), is a perennial plant native to Europe and Asia, growing typically on the plateaus or stony slopes of the mountains above the Arctic Circle. The plant with yellow flowers and succulent leaves has a brown-red rhizome and root system that has an intense rose scent. This rhizome contains biologically active compounds with different chemical characteristics. Its first written record dates back to 77 BC. The Greek physician Dioscorides described the use of “rhodia radix” as a medicine in his De Materia Medica. Traditional medicine used it to increase general fitness and endurance, to overcome insomnia, depression, anaemia, impotence, gastro-intestinal disorders, inflammation, central nervous system problems, headaches, and colds. Its adaptogenic activity has been known for centuries, but it was only at the end of the 20 th century that its antioxidant effect was confirmed in animal and human clinical experiments by identifying the molecular groups responsible for the effect: the rhizome of the roseroot contains phenylpropanoid molecules (rosin, rosarin, salidroside and rosavin components). In order to meet the world’s increased demand for plant material,instead of exterminating the wild growing stock, it was necessary to solve the problem of cultivating the plant in controlled conditions. This problem was solved by several teams worldwide, e.g. in Mikkeli, Finland. Nowadays the Rhodiola rosea rhizome is grown under commercial cultivation from the Urals to Alaska, including areas like Canada, the Norwegian, Danish, and Austrian Alps. During the investigation of the plant chemistry of the rhizomes grown in Mikkeli, Finland we found that depending on the place of origin, the total rosavin content varies from 4.6 mg/g to 8.2 mg/g, the bitter value 5000 to 15000, and determined the two main components of their essential oil, myrtenol (14-35%) and geraniol (18-62%) ratio. Rhizomes of Finnish and Komi origin contain also 5-8% campesterol and 25-35% sitosterol phytosterol components, which shows the good quality of the species and explains why its fragrance is similar to that of the rose.

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