Adaptogen

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Adaptogen is an alternative medical name for bioactive plant compounds that are designed to help the organism to increased physical and emotional stress situations adapt (Engl. To adapt , adapt). Adaptogens can increase exercise and stress resistance against the following factors:

  1. Unfavorable environmental factors (external) such as cold, heat, noise, biological and chemical pollutants
  2. Unfavorable psychological factors (internal) such as anxiety , depression , etc.
  3. Unfavorable or high physical stress such as sporting competitions and training

Adaptogens also have a positive effect on stress-induced diseases. You can have long-term damage from z. B. Curb permanent stress and protect cell structures. In addition, they can improve the attention span and mental performance, especially in the case of stress-related fatigue and exhaustion, and increase resilience. They can also improve the physical regeneration of athletes.

These stress-shielding effects of the adaptogens reside in the maintenance of the balance between various mechanisms that are related to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis . This includes the regulation of key mediators of the stress response, including stress-activated c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK), chaperones , nitric oxides, and cortisol .

Adaptogens - a category of their own

The recognition of adaptogens as a separate category in addition to - or in the - macro and micronutrient groups of carbohydrates , proteins , fats , vitamins and minerals will, among other things. a. discussed by the European Medicines Agency (emeA). This recognizes the numerous clinical studies in the context of adaptogens and currently assigns the adaptogens to the group of traditional herbal medicinal products . However, further clinical and preclinical studies would have to follow for comprehensive clarification and classification.

Similar names are rejuvenators and (in Ayurveda) Rasayana . The body and the immune system will adapted to the stress, that is adapted to be.

Background and conceptualization

The term "adaptogens" was first coined in 1947 by the Russian pharmacologist Nicolai V. Lazarev . He was convinced that there are active ingredients that help the human organism to better adapt to stressful situations by increasing the body's non-specific defenses. He was able to confirm this in his research and demonstrated that 2-benzyl-benzimidazole (dibazole) had a purely vasodilating effect. In doing so, he was breaking completely new ground, because previous active ingredients and methods that had led to an increase in the unspecific defense mechanism resulted in numerous adverse effects and serious side effects. They were therefore excluded for use on healthy people who only wanted to increase their stress resistance. Lazarev called the substances that led to the state of increased unspecific resistance ("a state of nonspecifically increased resistance (SNIR)") "adaptogens" for the first time.

Israel I. Brekhman then meticulously examined plants for specific adaptogenic properties in the 1960s. Due to his extensive, well-documented research and studies, he is considered the "father of adaptogens".

The extent of research on the subject of adaptogens has increased continuously since Brekhman's research from 1960. At the beginning of 2017, there were 336 published clinical and comparative studies for the word adaptogenic in PubMed . The number of publications increases exponentially from year to year , which reflects the great interest in research and the need for an understanding of (proof) of effectiveness.

Studies and Mechanisms of Action

Modern Adaptogen Research

Current adaptogen research encompasses various interdisciplinary areas:

  1. Elucidation of molecular biological protective mechanisms of the cell
  2. Influencing key biochemical mediators ("mediators") in stress systems
  3. Use of in-vivo models to clarify adapted behavior in classical stress research
  4. Systematic investigation of the mode of action on various cognitive processes

Cross-divisional and consecutive studies also came to results that show both the key mediators, their direct and indirect effects on biological systems and subsequent results on the observed behavior or the physical response.

Clinical studies

In a number of clinical studies, adaptogens have shown significant effects on stress that have led to an adaptation to the increased physical and emotional stressful situations. The stress resistance could be increased. In times of fatigue and psychological stress, mental and physical performance could be significantly improved. This also included paying attention to stress-related fatigue. Relaxation could also be identified as a central effect of adaptogens in the EEG ( electroencephalography ), which led to an improved compensation for stressful situations.

There are several biochemical classifications of substances of natural origin that have shown an adaptogenic effect. The division into three main groups could be as follows:

Mechanisms of Action

Maintaining the balance of various mechanisms associated with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is the cause of the numerous positive effects of adaptogens. This also includes the regulation of key mediators of the stress response. These key mediators include: a. stress-activated c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK), chaperones , nitrogen oxides and cortisol .

The main mechanism of the plant adaptogens is a stress-mimicking and up-regulating effect of the heat shock protein 70 ( Hsp70 ), which is also one of the chaperones. This protein acts as a "stress sensor" and also plays a role in cell survival and in apoptosis ( programmed cell death ). In its function as a stress sensor, the Hsp70 inhibits the expression of the NO synthase 2 gene and acts both directly and via the JNK protein on the glucocorticoid receptors. This will reduce the amount of cortisol and nitric oxide circulating. This suppression of a stress-induced increase in nitric oxide and the accompanying increase in ATP production ultimately leads to improved mental performance and physical endurance.

Adaptogens in Sports

Adaptogens help the organism to adapt to increased physical and emotional stressful situations - as they occur in sport -, to protect cell structures and to reduce lactate levels. They have proven to be suitable for improving the regeneration of athletes during and after intensive training and competitions. This protects mitochondrial cell structures, optimizes the supply of ATP and reduces the release of stress hormones. Adaptogens can reduce the physiological parameters of fatigue and, if taken regularly, also reduce lactate levels. They were able to prove themselves to be safe and well tolerated.

Differentiation between adaptogens and stimulants

The difference between adaptogens (such as Rhodiola rosea, Schisandra chinensis, Eleutherococcus senticosus etc.) and stimulants (such as caffeine , nicotine , amphetamines etc.) is that the latter can lead to tolerance after prolonged use and have a high potential for dependence . Depending on the substance, overdosing stimulants can cause physical side effects such as high blood pressure , palpitations and sweating, as well as psychological side effects such as aggressiveness, overestimation of yourself and insomnia .

Adaptogens, on the other hand, do not cause sleep problems or stimulant-like side effects, even with prolonged use, since they only have a stress protection effect, i.e. H. only stop the stress response. Nevertheless, adaptogens have a measurably powerful effect both with single doses and with prolonged use, which shows in increased mental and physical performance, especially against the background of fatigue and stress.

I. Brekhman established three criteria that clearly distinguish adaptogens from stimulants:

  1. An adaptogen is completely harmless to the body even in the long term. It shows no adaptogenic effect in normal or minimally changed body functions; the adaptogenic effect only comes into play when there is a corresponding challenge (e.g. stressful situation).
  2. An adaptogen specifically increases the resistance to a wide range of physical, chemical and biological influences.
  3. An adaptogen has a normalizing effect on metabolism, regardless of the direction of previous pathological changes.

Examples from botany and mycology

Examples of plants and mushrooms that are said to have such effects are ginseng , Morinda citrifolia ( Noni ), Shiitake , Reishi / Ling-Zhi , Maitake , almond mushroom , Schisandra , rose root , Ashwaganda ( sleeping berry ), Tulsi , Jiaogulan , Maca , Kalmegh and Cannabis .

Individual evidence

  1. ^ A b c F. Meerson: Adaptation, stress and prophylaxis . Springer Verlag, New York 1984.
  2. ^ A b c A. Panossian, G. Wikman, H. Wagner: Plant adaptogens. III. Earlier and more recent aspects and concepts on their mode of action . In: Phytomedicine: International Journal of Phytotherapy and Phytopharmacology . tape 6 , no. 4 , October 1, 1999, ISSN  0944-7113 , p. 287-300 , doi : 10.1016 / S0944-7113 (99) 80023-3 , PMID 10589450 .
  3. ↑ a b c d e Hovhannisyan et al .: Efficacy of Adaptogenic Supplements on Adapting to Stress: A Randomized, Controlled Trial . Ed .: J Athl Enhancement. No. 4: 4 , 2015.
  4. ↑ a b c d E.MG Olsson, B. von Schéele, AG Panossian: A randomized, double-blind, placebocontrolled, parallel-group study of the standardized extract SHR-5 of the roots of Rhodiola rosea in the treatment of subjects with stress-related fatigue . Ed .: Planta Med. Volume 75 , no. 2 , 2009, p. 105-112 .
  5. ↑ a b c d e f g h i Alexander Panossian, Georg Wikman: Evidence-Based Efficacy of Adaptogens in Fatigue, and Molecular Mechanisms Related to their Stress-Protective Activity . In: Current Clinical Pharmacology . tape 4 , no. 3 , p. 198–219 , doi : 10.2174 / 157488409789375311 ( eurekaselect.com [accessed March 1, 2017]).
  6. ↑ a b c d e A.A. Spasov, GK Wikman, VB Mandrikov, IA Mironova, VV Neumoin: A double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study of the stimulating and adaptogenic effect of Rhodiola rosea SHR-5 extract on the fatigue of students caused by stress during an examination period with a repeatedlow-does regimen . In: Phytomedicine . tape 7 , no. 2 , 2000, pp. 85-89 .
  7. ↑ Orna Levin: [Phyto-adaptogens - protection against stress?] In: Harefuah . tape 154 , no. 3 , March 1, 2015, ISSN  0017-7768 , p. 183-186, 211 , PMID 25962249 .
  8. ↑ a b c d e f g h i E.K. Boon-Niermeijer, A. van der Berg, G. Wikman, FAC Wiegant: Phyto-adaptogens stimulate recovery from intoxication with copper or cadmium in larvae of Lymnaea stagnalis . In: Phytomedicine . tape 7 , no. 5 , 2000, pp. 389-399 .
  9. ↑ a b c V.A. Shevtsov, BI Zholus, VI Shervarly, VB Vol'skij, YP Korovin, MP Khristich, NA Roslyakova, G. Wikman: A randomized trial of two different doses of a SHR-5 Rhodiola rosea extract versus placebo and control of capacity for mental work . In: Phytomedicine . tape 10 , 2003, p. 95-105 .
  10. ↑ a b c A. Panossian, M. Hambartsumyan, A. Hovanissian, E. Gabrielyan, G. Wilkman: The Adaptogens Rhodiola and Schizandra Modify the Response to Immobilization Stress in Rabbits by Suppressing the Increase of Phosphorylated Stress-activated Protein Kinase, Nitric Oxide and Cortisol. In: Drug Targets Insights . tape 1 , p. 39-54 .
  11. ^ A b c Association of the European Self-Medication Industry [AESMI] (Ed.): Legal and regulatory framework for herbal medicines . Brussels April 2010, p. 151-158 .
  12. ^ European Medicines Agency: Evaluation of Medicines for Human Use, Reflection Paper On The Adaptogenic Concept . London May 8, 2008 (Doc.Ref.MEA / HMPC / 102655/2007).
  13. ↑ a b c d e f g I.I. Brekhman, IV Dardymov: New substances of plant origin which increase nonspecific resistance . In: Annual Review of Pharmacology . tape 9 , January 1, 1969, ISSN  0066-4251 , pp. 419-430 , doi : 10.1146 / annurev.pa.09.040169.002223 , PMID 4892434 .
  14. ↑ a b c H. Nörr: Phytochemical and pharmacological investigations of the adaptogen drugs Eleutherococcus senticosus, Ocimum sanctum, Codonopsis pilosula, Rhodiola rosea and Rhodiola crenulata . Ed .: Ludwig Maximilians University. Munich 1993.
  15. ↑ NVLazarev: VII Vsesojuzniy s'ezd fiziologox, biokhimikov i farmakologov 1947 (7th trade union congress of physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology) . Moscow 1947, p. 579 .
  16. ↑ a b F.AC Wiegant, p Surinova, E. Ytsma, M. Langelaar-Makkinje, G. Wikman, YES Post: Plant adaptogens increase lifespan and stress resistance in C. elegans . In: Biogerontology . tape 10 , no. 1 , 2008, p. 27-42 , doi : 10.1007 / s10522-008-9151-9 , PMID 18536978 .
  17. ↑ a b Alexander Panossian, Georg Wikman, Punit Kaur, Alexzander Asea: Molecular Chaperones as Mediators of Stress Protective Effect of Plant Adaptogens . In: Heat Shock Proteins and Whole Body Physiology (=  Heat Shock Proteins ). No. 5 . Springer Netherlands, 2010, ISBN 978-90-481-3380-2 , pp. 351–364 , doi : 10.1007 / 978-90-481-3381-9_20 ( springer.com [accessed March 1, 2017]).
  18. ↑ a b c Y. Kimura, M. Sumiyoshi: Effects of various Eleutherococcus senticosus cortex on swimming time, natural killer activity and corticosterone level in forced swimming stressed mice . In: J. Ethnopharmacol. tape 95 , no. 2-3 , 2004, pp. 447-453 .
  19. ↑ Kandhasamy Sowndhararajan, Ponnuvel Deepa, Minju Kim, Se Jin Park, Songmun Kim: An overview of neuroprotective and cognitive enhancement properties of lignans from Schisandra chinensis. In: Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy . tape 97 , January 2018, ISSN  0753-3322 , p. 958-968 , doi : 10.1016 / j.biopha.2017.10.145 .
  20. ↑ a b c G. Samuelsson, L. Bohlin: Drugs of Natural Origin: A Treatise of Pharmacognosy . Ed .: Swedish Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 6th edition. Stockholm, Sweden 2009, p. 226-228 .
  21. ↑ A. Panossian, G. Wikman: Effects of adaptogens on the Central Nervous System and the Molecular Mechanisms Associated with Their stress Protective Activity. In: Current Clinical Pharmacology . tape 4 , no. 3 , 2009, p. 198-219 .
  22. ^ A b G. Aslanyan, E. Amroyan, E. Gabrielyan, M. Nylander, G. Wikman, A. Panossian: Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study of single dose effects of Adapt-232 on cognitive functions . In: Phytomedicine . tape 17 , 2010, p. 494-499 .
  23. ↑ RI Bogatova, LV Shlykova, VP Salnitsky, G. Wikman: Evaluation of the effect of a single dose of a phytoadaptogen on the working capacity of human subjects during prolonged isolation . In: Aerospace and Environmental Medicine . tape 31 , no. 4 , 1997, p. 51-54 .
  24. ↑ V. Darbinyan, G. Aslanyan, E. Amroyan, E. Gabrielyan, C. Malmstrom, A. Panossian: Clinical trial of Rhodiola rosea extract SHR L-5 in the treatment of mild to moderate depression . In: Nordic Journal of Psychiatry . tape 61 , no. 5 , 2007, p. 343-348 .
  25. ↑ M. Narimanian, M. Badalyan, V. Panosyan, E. Gabrielyan, A. Panossian, G. Wikman, H. Wagner: Impact of ChisanR (ADAPT 232) on the Quality - of - life and its Efficacy as an Adjuvant in the treatment of Acute Non-specific Pneumonia . In: Phytomedicine . tape 12 , 2005, p. 723-729 .
  26. ^ AG Panossian, AS Oganessian, M. Ambartsumian, ES Gabrelian, H. Wagner, G. Wikman: Effects of heavy physical exercise and adaptogens on nitric oxide content in human saliva . In: Phytomedicine . tape 6 , no. 1 , 1999, p. 17-26 .
  27. ↑ F. Facchinetti, I. Neri, M. Tarbusi: Eleutherococcus senticosus reduces cardiovascular stress response in healthy subjects: randomized, placebo-controlled trial . In: Stress Health . tape 18 , 2002, p. 11-17 .
  28. ↑ W. Dimpfel: Neuro Physiological Effects of Rhodiola Rosea Extract Containing Capsules (A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study) . In: International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences . tape 3 , no. 3 , 2014, p. 157–165 ( sciencepublishinggroup.com [PDF]).
  29. ↑ A. Panossian, G. Wikman, P. Kaur, A. Asea: Adaptogens (ADAPT-232) stimulate neuropeptide Y expression in neuroglia cells. 59th International Congress and Annual Meeting of the Society for Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research, 4th-9th September 2011, Antalya, Turkey . In: Planta medica . tape 77 , no. 12 , 2011, p. 1248 .
  30. ↑ Alexander Panossian, Georg Wikman, Punit Kaur, Alexzander Asea: Adaptogens stimulate neuropeptide y and hsp72 expression and release in neuroglia cells . In: Frontiers in Neuroscience . tape 6 , 2012, ISSN  1662-453X , p. 6 , doi : 10.3389 / fnins.2012.00006 , PMID 22347152 , PMC 3269752 (free full text).
  31. ↑ Alexander Panossian, Georg Wikman, Punit Kaur, Alexzander Asea: Adaptogens exert a stress-protective effect by modulation of expression of molecular chaperones . In: Phytomedicine: International Journal of Phytotherapy and Phytopharmacology . tape 16 , no. 6-7 , June 1, 2009, ISSN  1618-095X , p. 617-622 , doi : 10.1016 / j.phymed.2008.12.003 , PMID 19188053 .
  32. ↑ a b F. Ahumada, R. Hermosilla, R. Hola, R. Pena, F. Wittwer, E. Wegmann, J. Hancke, G. Wikman, G .: Studies on the Effect of Schizandra chinensis Extract on Horses Submitted to Exercise and maximum effort . In: Phytotherapy Research . tape 3 , no. 5 , 1989, pp. 175-179 .
  33. ^ A b J. Hancke, R. Burgos, G. Wikman, E. Ewertz, F. Ahumada: Schizandra chinensis, a potential phytodrug for recovery of sport horses . In: Fitoterapia . tape 125 , no. 2 , 1994, p. 113-118 .
  34. ↑ RI Bogatova, TS Guryeva, ZN Lebedeva, G. Wikman, S. Palm, NA Roslyakova: Avian reproductive function under a combined effect of phytoadaptogens and some factors of a space flight . In: ACTA Vet. Brno. tape 65 , 1996, pp. 87-92 .
  35. ^ J. Hancke, R. Burgos, D. Cáceres, F. Brunetti, A. Durigon, G. Wikman: Reduction of serum hepatic transaminases and CPK in sport horses with poor performance treated with a standardized Schizandra chinensis fruit extract . In: Phytomedicine . tape 3 , no. 3 , 1996, p. 237-240 .
  36. ^ A b S. Fulder: The Drug that Builds Russians . In: New Scientist . tape 21 , 1980, pp. 83-84 .
  37. ↑ A. Panossian, H. Wagner: Stimulating effect of adaptogens: an overview with particular reference to their efficacy following single dose administration . In: Phytotherapy research: PTR . tape 19 , no. 10 , October 1, 2005, ISSN  0951-418X , p. 819-838 , doi : 10.1002 / ptr.1751 , PMID 16261511 .
  38. ↑ H. Wagner, H. Hikino, NR Farnsworth: Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus): current status as of adaptogen . In: Economic and Medicinal plant research . tape 1 , 1985, pp. 156-215 .
  39. ^ E. Carlini: Plants and the central nervous system . In: Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior . 75, No. 3, June 2003, pp. 501-512. doi : 10.1016 / S0091-3057 (03) 00112-6 . PMID 12895668 .