Abstract
Background
Menopausal
women are challenged by the adverse effects of estrogen loss on energy,
mood, cognitive function, and memory. These stresses are compounded by
increased risks for cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and cancer.
Known to have neuroprotective, cardio-protective, anti-oxidative and
anti-carcinogenic effects, Rhodiola rosea extracts have also been shown to improve energy, mood, cognitive function and memory.
Purpose
We propose that R. rosea
be investigated for use as a potential selective estrogen receptor
modulator (SERM) in the prevention and treatment of menopause-related
fatigue, stress, depression, cognitive decline, memory impairment,
cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and cancer.
Method
This
paper briefly reviews the relationship between estrogen decline and
menopause-related health risks, the molecular mechanisms underlying
estrogenic effects on health, and the evidence indicating beneficial
effects of R. rosea extracts on these mechanisms and health
risks. Mechanisms include non-genomic and genomic effects, for example:
activation of intra-cellular signal transduction pathways by binding to
estrogen receptors, ERα-mediated activation of endothelial nitric oxide
synthase with increased nitric oxide release; and anti-inflammatory
effects, counteracting TNFα by inhibiting nuclear factor-Kappa-B (NF-KB), and protection of osteoblasts from hydrogen peroxide. A clinical case illustrating treatment of a menopausal woman with R. rosea is presented. Risks, benefits, gaps in knowledge, and future directions are discussed.
Conclusion
Numerous lines of evidence indicate that R. rosea
should be investigated as a potential selective estrogen receptor
modulator (SERM) to prevent, delay or mitigate menopause-related
cognitive, psychological, cardiovascular and osteoporotic conditions.
Keywords
- Menopause;
- Selective estrogen receptor modulator;
- Rhodiola rosea;
- Cognitive function;
- Cardiovascular
Abbreviations
- ACE, angiotensin-1 converting enzyme;
- AD, Alzheimer's Disease;
- BMD, bone mineral density;
- AMT, adenosine monophosphate;
- ATP, adenosine triphosphate;
- eNOS, endothelial nitric oxide synthase;
- GABA, gamma-aminobutyric acid;
- NF-KB, nuclear factor-Kappa-B;
- NO, nitric oxide;
- eNOS, endothelial nitric oxide synthase;
- ER, estrogen receptor;
- EDV, endothelial-dependent vasodilation;
- MAPK, mitogen-activated protein kinase;
- OVX, ovariectomized;
- ROS, reactive oxygen species;
- SERM, selective estrogen receptor modulator;
- TNFα, Tumor necrosis factor-alpha
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Copyright © 2015 Published by Elsevier GmbH
