Rhodiola rosea herb extends lifespan in fruit flies 10%

[Guest guest]

link:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071205115232.htm

full text:

Herbal Extract Found To Increase Lifespan

ScienceDaily (Dec. 10, 2007) — The herbal extract of a yellow-flowered

mountain plant indigenous to the Arctic regions of Europe and Asia

increased the lifespan of fruit fly populations, according to a

University of California, Irvine study.

Flies that ate a diet rich with Rhodiola rosea, an herbal supplement

long used for its purported stress-relief effects, lived on an average

of 10 percent longer than fly groups that didn't eat the herb.

" Although this study does not present clinical evidence that Rhodiola

can extend human life, the finding that it does extend the lifespan of

a model organism, combined with its known health benefits in humans,

make this herb a promising candidate for further anti-aging research, "

said Mahtab Jafari, a professor of pharmaceutical sciences and study

leader. " Our results reveal that Rhodiola is worthy of continued

study, and we are now investigating why this herb works to increase

lifespan. "

In their study, the UC Irvine researchers fed adult fruit fly

populations diets supplemented at different dose levels with four

herbs known for their anti-aging properties. The herbs were mixed into

a yeast paste, which adult flies ate for the duration of their lives.

Three of the herbs – known by their Chinese names as Lu Duo Wei, Bu

Zhong Yi Qi Tang and San Zhi Pian – had no effect on fruit fly

longevity, while Rhodiola was found to significantly reduce mortality.

On average, Rhodiola increased survival 3.5 days in males and 3.2 days

in females.

Rhodiola rosea, also known as the golden root, grows in cold climates

at high altitudes and has been used by Scandinavians and Russians for

centuries for its anti-stress qualities. The herb is thought to have

anti-oxidative properties and has been widely studied.

Soviet researchers have been studying Rhodiola since the 1940s on

athletes and cosmonauts, finding that the herb boosts the body's

response to stress. And earlier this year, a Nordic Journal of

Psychiatry study on people with mild-to-moderate depression showed

that patients taking a Rhodiola extract called SHR-5 reported fewer

symptoms of depression than did those who took a placebo.

Jafari said she is evaluating the molecular mechanism of Rhodiola by

measuring its impact on energy metabolism, oxidative stress and

anti-oxidant defenses in fruit flies. She is also beginning studies in

mice and in mouse and human cell cultures. These latter studies should

help understand the benefits of Rhodiola seen in human trials.

Study results appear in the online version of Rejuvenation Research.

Felgner, Irvin Bussel, Hutchili, Behnood Khodayari,

Rose and ce Mueller of UC Irvine participated in the

study. Sun Ten Inc. provided the herbs.

Adapted from materials provided by University of California - Irvine.

[Guest guest]

I’ve heard this before. But which sources carry this? And how would one know that the source is one that’s trustworthy?

Many of the so-called resveratrol sources produce products that when tested do not live up to their boasts of what is contained in them. These things are not regulated and the sellers apparently can claim whatever they like.

From: Dave <davemaddux@...>

Reply-< >

Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2007 19:03:36 -0000

< >

Subject: [ ] Rhodiola rosea herb extends lifespan in fruit flies 10%

link:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071205115232.htm

full text:

Herbal Extract Found To Increase Lifespan

ScienceDaily (Dec. 10, 2007) ˜ The herbal extract of a yellow-flowered

mountain plant indigenous to the Arctic regions of Europe and Asia

increased the lifespan of fruit fly populations, according to a

University of California, Irvine study.

Flies that ate a diet rich with Rhodiola rosea, an herbal supplement

long used for its purported stress-relief effects, lived on an average

of 10 percent longer than fly groups that didn't eat the herb.

" Although this study does not present clinical evidence that Rhodiola

can extend human life, the finding that it does extend the lifespan of

a model organism, combined with its known health benefits in humans,

make this herb a promising candidate for further anti-aging research, "

said Mahtab Jafari, a professor of pharmaceutical sciences and study

leader. " Our results reveal that Rhodiola is worthy of continued

study, and we are now investigating why this herb works to increase

lifespan. "

In their study, the UC Irvine researchers fed adult fruit fly

populations diets supplemented at different dose levels with four

herbs known for their anti-aging properties. The herbs were mixed into

a yeast paste, which adult flies ate for the duration of their lives.

Three of the herbs ˆ known by their Chinese names as Lu Duo Wei, Bu

Zhong Yi Qi Tang and San Zhi Pian ˆ had no effect on fruit fly

longevity, while Rhodiola was found to significantly reduce mortality.

On average, Rhodiola increased survival 3.5 days in males and 3.2 days

in females.

Rhodiola rosea, also known as the golden root, grows in cold climates

at high altitudes and has been used by Scandinavians and Russians for

centuries for its anti-stress qualities. The herb is thought to have

anti-oxidative properties and has been widely studied.

Soviet researchers have been studying Rhodiola since the 1940s on

athletes and cosmonauts, finding that the herb boosts the body's

response to stress. And earlier this year, a Nordic Journal of

Psychiatry study on people with mild-to-moderate depression showed

that patients taking a Rhodiola extract called SHR-5 reported fewer

symptoms of depression than did those who took a placebo.

Jafari said she is evaluating the molecular mechanism of Rhodiola by

measuring its impact on energy metabolism, oxidative stress and

anti-oxidant defenses in fruit flies. She is also beginning studies in

mice and in mouse and human cell cultures. These latter studies should

help understand the benefits of Rhodiola seen in human trials.

Study results appear in the online version of Rejuvenation Research.

Felgner, Irvin Bussel, Hutchili, Behnood Khodayari,

Rose and ce Mueller of UC Irvine participated in the

study. Sun Ten Inc. provided the herbs.

Adapted from materials provided by University of California - Irvine.