Adaptogen

Adaptogens or adaptogenic substances are used in herbal medicine for the purported stabilization of physiological processes and promotion of homeostasis.[1][2]

Dried Rhodiola rosea root.

History

The term "adaptogens" was coined in 1947 by Soviet toxicologist Nikolai Lazarev to describe substances that may increase resistance to stress.[3][4] The term "adaptogenesis" was later applied in the Soviet Union to describe remedies thought to increase the resistance of organisms to biological stress.[1] Most of the studies conducted on adaptogens were performed in the Soviet Union, Korea, and China before the 1980s. The term was not accepted in pharmacological, physiological, or mainstream clinical practices in the European Union.[4]

In the 2020s, supplements and beverages advertising adaptogen content gained popularity as wellness products, including as a replacement to alcoholic beverages.[5]

Proposed mechanisms

Proponents of herbal medicine argue adaptogens may enhance resilience to stress by altering hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis signaling and/or by regulating levels of the following compounds involved in the cellular stress response:[3]

Sources

Compounds studied for putative adaptogenic properties are often derived from the following plants:[3]

References
  1. Brekhman, I. I.; Dardymov, I. V. (1969). "New Substances of Plant Origin which Increase Nonspecific Resistance". Annual Review of Pharmacology. 9: 419–430. doi:10.1146/annurev.pa.09.040169.002223. PMID 4892434.
  2. "Adaptogen". Dictionary.com. 2012.
  3. Panossian, Alexander; Wikman, George (2010). "Effects of Adaptogens on the Central Nervous System and the Molecular Mechanisms Associated with Their Stress—Protective Activity". Pharmaceuticals. 3: 188–224. doi:10.3390/ph3010188. PMC 3991026.
  4. "Reflection Paper on the Adaptogenic Concept" (PDF). European Medicines Agency, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products. 8 May 2008. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  5. Chiu, Allyson; Carefoot, Helen. "'Adaptogenic' drinks advertise a booze-free good time. Read this before imbibing". The Washington Post. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
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