Eleuthero root

Eleuthero, eleuthero root extract, eleuthero benefits

eleuthero side effects, Last Update: September 28, 2013

Acanthopanax senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim) Harms (Araliaceae), Siberian Ginseng, Eleutherococcus senticosus, 刺,五,

加, Ciwujia

Introduction

Eleuthero, formerly labeled as S iberian Ginseng, is a hardy herb indigenous to the Taiga region of the Far East,

which includes southeastern Russia, northern China, Japan and Korea. The use of Eleuthero can be traced back over

2,000 years in ancient Chinese medical texts, where it is indicated for the treatment of a wide variety of ailments.

Although it is a cousin of the Panax ginseng family (Korean, Chinese and American) it’,s considered distinctly different.

The term panax is derived from the Greek words pan (all) and akos (cure), which means “,cure-all”,. In addition to its

adaptogenic properties, which seem to stem from its ability to regulate the activity of the adrenal cortex in response to

stress, Eleuthero has some unique benefits. It stimulates the immune system, especially during times of strenuous

physical exertion and stress, and seems especially beneficial for supporting a healthy mood and mental alertness.

Eleuthero is also extremely beneficial as a training aid for athletes. Today, eleuthero root is marketed as a support for

the liver, and the key active ingredient of Eleuthero is Eleutherosides.

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Scientific Evidence for Eleuthero Benefits

Eleuthero and Ginseng have similar biological properties, once Eleuthero has even been called as Siberian Ginseng.

Eleuthero may benefit people suffered depression, fatigue or under stress. It may also enhance immuno-functions

and neuron activities. [1] Here is a summary of recent research findings about the health benefit claims of Eleuthero

Root Extracts.

Cancer

Root extracts of Eleuthero have anti-cancer activities, at least shown in cell studies. Eleuthero root extracts has been

shown to against scavenging on DPPH free radicals. In a study, a special preparation of the Eleuthero root extract

exhibited high anti-lipid peroxidative activities, and against seven human cancer cell lines. [9] Tincture of Eleuthero

root on radiation carcinogenesis and life span in rats has been studied. The results of the study demonstrate that

Eleuthero root extracts significantly improved survival and decreased incidence and multiplicity of malignant and

benign tumors in rats subjected to ionizing radiation. [A2] Thus, Eleuthero root extracts may benefit those at risk of

certain types of cancers.

Inflammation

Eleuthero root has been used as a tonic and adaptogen to strengthen qi in traditional Korean medicine. The

neuroprotective effects of water extracts of Eleuthero were investigated in transient middle cerebral artery occlusion of

Sprague-Dawley rats. The infarct volume was significantly reduced by 36.6% after the peritoneal injection of Eleuthero

extracts (100 mg [sol ]kg) compared with the control. In the immunohistochemical study, Eleuthero extracts markedly

inhibited both cyclooxygenase-2 and OX-42 expressions in the penumbral region at 24 h after MCAo. These results

suggest that Eleuthero may have beneficial effect of neuro-protection by inhibiting inflammation and microglial

activation in brain ischaemia. [2]

Stress and Fatique

The eleuthero g cortex has been used extensively in Asia as an adaptogen. Its benefits include improvement of non-

specific body resistance to stress and fatigue. Researchers compared the effects of the water extracts (A, B, C, D and

E) of five Eleuthero extracts on the swimming time, NK activity and blood corticosterone level using forced swimming

stressed mice. Among five kinds, C, D and E extracts significantly prolonged the swimming time. C and D extracts

inhibited the reduction of NK activity and the corticosterone elevation induced by forced swimming. The contents of

eleutheroside E, isoflaxidin and eleutherosides B plus E were in the order C >, D >, E >, B >, A and C >, E >, D >, A >, B

extracts, respectively. Therefore, it is suggested that eleutheroside E may be contributed to the anti-fatigue action,

the recovery of the reduction of NK activity and the inhibition of corticosterone elevation induced by swimming stress.

[3]

However, another study conducted by researchers from University of Iowa was not able to demonstrate the overall

anti-fatigue effects of Eleuthero on subjects compared to the control group. [7] So, does Eleuthero really have a

benefit to people under stress or fatigue? The inconsistent results of studies can be due to experimental design,

dosage form, dosage composition and the subject characters. Definitely, more studies are needed to understand or

clarify the potential benefits of Eleuthero extracts.

Hepatic Failure

Preparations of Eleuthero used in a study were as follows, (i) 70% ethanol extract (ii) water extract (iii) ethanol-soluble

part of the water extract (iv) polysaccharide obtained as an 80% ethanol insoluble of the water extract. Preparations

were given by intraperitoneal (300 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg) or oral (300 mg/kg) injection at 12 hr and 1 hr before a D-

galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide injection. The intraperitoneal injection of water extract and polysaccharide

significantly lowered serum levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha, aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase,

improved the histologic changes in liver, inhibited hepatocyte apoptosis confirmed by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl

transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling method and DNA fragmentation assay, and suppressed the lethality

induced by D-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide. The oral administration of water extract and polysaccharide also

reduced serum aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and tumour necrosis factor-alpha levels. In contrast

70% ethanol extract and ethanol-soluble part of the water extract had no protective effect when treated

intraperitoneally or orally. These results indicate Siberian Ginseng stems attenuate fulminant hepatic failure induced

by D-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide in mice and the protective effect is due to water-soluble polysaccharides in

Siberian Ginseng stems. [4] Well, it looks like Eleuthero may have some benefits on people at risk of such conditions,

more studies are needed to prove the implication.

Coagulation

Coagulation (thrombogenesis) is the process by which blood forms clots. It is a crucial part of hemostasis - stopping

blood loss from damaged blood vessels. However, when people tend to clot too much, blood clots can form in their

legs when they sit for long periods of time, such as in a long car or plane ride. This creates health issues, especially,

when he blood clots find their way into the brain and cause a stroke. A study has shown that administration of

Eleuthero extract to albino rats (18-20-month age) daily for 30 days led to a better anti-coagulating system or a better

protection from thrombogeneration induced with i.v. administration of tissue thromboplastine. The benefit-effect of the

adaptogen was more obvious after 60-day treatment. [6] Thus, Eleuthero may have benefits to those at risk of

abnormal, excessive amount of blood clots.

Memory

Acute administration of a liquid Eleuthero extract significantly improves short-term memory in healthy humans. The

expression of this action depends on the daytime and psychophysiological peculiarities of the volunteers.

Administration of the preparation also improved retinal sensitivity. This effect was more pronounced in humans with

weak type of high nervous activity in evening hours. [8] Thus, Eleuthero extract may benefit people at risk of memory

issues.

IMMUNOFUNCTIONS

Scientist also studied the influence of Eleuthero on cellular and humoral immune response in animal models (Balb/c

mice and F1 crossbreeds Balb/cxC3H). The study has shown that Eleuthero has immunomodulatory properties. It

enhanced the cellular response of the mouse immunological system (chemokinetic activity of mice spleen cells, GvH

reaction). They also observed a stimulatory effect of Eleuthero on the humoral response (antibody production). [8] In

another study, researchers administrated Eleuthero preparations to mice before illness, during illness and a

combination of both. They found an increase of the level of immunoglobulins comprised in the mice's blood serum [10]

Thus, eleuthero may offer benefits via immunofunction activities, more studies are needed to verify the thought.

Osteoporosis

A standardized Eleuthero stem bark extract was supplied in an ovariectomized rat model of osteoporosis. After eight

weeks of treatments, the femur bone mineral density of the 100 mg/kg Eleuthero extract-treated group was

significantly higher than that of the control group. [A1] Thus, researchers believe that Eleuthero bark extracts may

benefit people at risk of osteoporosis.

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Eleuthero Side Effects

Researchers tested the effect of Eleuthero on 20 seniors with respect to health related quality of life (HRQOL). After 4

week study, they found that patients randomized to Eleuthero had a higher scores in social functioning scales

compared to those received placebo. And, they found no side effects on both groups. [5] Eleuthero may be safe for

most people at low doses for a short term use. However, side effects may include drowsiness, changes in heart

rhythm, sadness, anxiety, muscle spasms and other side effects. High doses may raise blood pressure. People with

blood pressure over 180/90 should not take Eleuthero.

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REFERENCE [1] Deyama T et al, Constituents and pharmacological effects of Eucommia and Siberian ginseng. Acta

Pharmacol Sin. 2001 Dec,22(12):1057-70. [2] Bu Y et al, Siberian ginseng reduces infarct volume in transient focal

cerebral ischaemia in Sprague-Dawley rats. Phytother Res. 2005 Feb,19(2):167-9. Kimura Y and Sumiyoshi M Effects

of various Eleutherococcus senticosus cortex on swimming time, natural killer activity and corticosterone level in

forced swimming stressed mice. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Dec,95(2-3):447-53. [4] Park EJ et al, Water-soluble

polysaccharide from Eleutherococcus senticosus stems attenuates fulminant hepatic failure induced by D-

galactosamine and lipopolysaccharide in mice. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2004 Jun,94(6):298-304. [5] Cicero AF et

al, Effects of Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus maxim.) on elderly quality of life: a randomized clinical trial. Arch

Gerontol Geriatr Suppl. 2004,(9):69-73. [6] Bazaz'ian GG et al Effect of Eleutherococcus on the functional status of the anticoagulation

system in older animals Fiziol Zh SSSR Im I M Sechenova. 1987 Oct,73(10):1390-5. [7] Hartz AJ et al, Randomized controlled trial of

Siberian ginseng for chronic fatigue. Psychol Med. 2004 Jan,34(1):51-61. [6] Arushanian EB et al, Effect of eleutherococcus on short-term

memory and visual perception in healthy humans Eksp Klin Farmakol. 2003 Sep-Oct,66(5):10-3.[8] Rogala E et al, The influence of

Eleuterococcus senticosus on cellular and humoral immunological response of mice. Pol J Vet Sci. 2003,6(3 Suppl):37-9. [9] Yu CY et

al, Intraspecific relationship analysis by DNA markers and in vitro cytotoxic and antioxidant activity in Eleutherococcus senticosus. Toxicol

In Vitro. 2003 Apr,17(2):229-36. [10] Drozd J et al, Estimation of humoral activity of Eleutherococcus senticosus. Acta Pol Pharm. 2002

Sep-Oct,59(5):395-401. [A1] Lim DW, et al, Preventive effects of Eleutherococcus senticosus bark extract in OVX-induced osteoporosis in

rats. Molecules. 2013 Jul 8,18(7):7998-8008. [A2] Bespalov G. et al, tincture of Siberian ginseng root (TSGR) on radiation

carcinogenesis and life span in rats has been studied. The results of the study demonstrate that DFMO as well as TSGR significantly

improved survival and decreased incidence and multiplicity of malignant and benign tumors in rats subjected to ionizing radiation. Adv

Gerontol. 2012,25(2):293-300.

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