Eleuthero Research
22 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 7/10
Eleutherococcus senticosus: A Systematic Review of Its Effects on Physical and Mental Performance
Todorova V et al. • Phytomedicine (2021)
Eleutherococcus senticosus showed promising adaptogenic effects on physical endurance and cognitive performance.
- Improved endurance exercise capacity in several controlled trials
- Adaptogenic effects on stress hormone modulation confirmed
- Cognitive performance benefits observed under stress conditions
Eleutherococcus senticosus (Acanthopanax senticosus): An Important Adaptogenic Plant
Kos G et al. • Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (2025)
Still, its conservation and sustainable production are critical and require ongoing research and innovative cultivation strategies.
- With increasing demands and conservation concerns, sustainable cultivation practices are essential, as ES is endangered in some areas.
- Plant biotechnology techniques offer solutions to enhance secondary metabolite yields while ensuring genetic stability and minimizing environmental impacts.
- ES is a promising natural resource for various industries because of its extensive benefits.
Modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis by plants and phytonutrients: a systematic review of human trials
Lopresti AL et al. • Nutritional neuroscience (2022)
For most phytonutrients, the effects of supplementation on HPA-axis activity in humans is unclear.
- For most phytonutrients, the effects of supplementation on HPA-axis activity in humans is unclear.
- Before more definitive conclusions about the effects of phytonutrients on the HPA-axis can be made, further research is required.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Traditional and Current Use of Ginseng
Flagg AJ • The Nursing clinics of North America (2021)
All rights reserved.
- Three major types of ginseng are described.
- Asian ginseng is more potent than American ginseng; however, most supplements come from American and Asian types of ginseng.
- Purchases should be made from reputable sources owing to the lack of standardization of the production of herbal supplements.Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc.
Acanthopanax senticosus: Photochemistry and Anticancer Potential
Li T et al. • The American journal of Chinese medicine (2016)
This paper reviews recent findings on the pharmacological properties of A. senticosus, with a focus on its anticancer effects.
- In the past decades, researchers worldwide have conducted systematic investigations on this herb, from chemistry to pharmacology, and a large number of chemical components have been characterized for their significant pharmacological effects.
- However, reports about the anticancer effects of this plant had been rare until recently, when considerable pharmacological experiments both in vitro and in vivo were conducted to study the anticancer effects of this herb.
- A. senticosus has been found to have inhibitory effects on malignant tumors, such as those in the lung and liver, suggesting that A. senticosus has potential to be developed as an effective anticancer drug.
Dietary supplements and hypertension: potential benefits and precautions
Rasmussen CB et al. • Journal of clinical hypertension (Greenwich, Conn.) (2012)
The goals and objectives of this review are to discuss the regulation of DS, evaluate the efficacy of particular DS in the treatment of hypertension, and highlight DS that may potentially increase blood pressure.© 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
- Patients with hypertension often choose to use these products either in addition to or instead of pharmacologic antihypertensive agents.
- Because of the frequent use of DS, both consumers and health care providers should be aware of the considerable issues surrounding these products and factors influencing both efficacy and safety.
- The goals and objectives of this review are to discuss the regulation of DS, evaluate the efficacy of particular DS in the treatment of hypertension, and highlight DS that may potentially increase blood pressure.© 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Acanthopanax senticosus: review of botany, chemistry and pharmacology
Huang L et al. • Die Pharmazie (2011)
The present review is an up-to-date and comprehensive analysis of the botany, chemistry, pharmacology, toxicity and clinical trials of AS.
- In recent decades, a great number of chemical, pharmacological, and clinical studies on AS have been carried out worldwide.
- Several kinds of chemical compounds have been reported, including triterpenoid saponins, lignans, coumarins, and flavones, among which, phenolic compounds such as syringin and eleutheroside E, were considered to be the most active components.
- Considerable pharmacological experiments both in vitro and in vivo have persuasively demonstrated that AS possessed anti-stress, antiulcer, anti-irradiation, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activities, etc.
Herbal supplements and therapeutic drug monitoring: focus on digoxin immunoassays and interactions with St. John's wort
Dasgupta A • Therapeutic drug monitoring (2008)
Understanding the effect of herbal products on TDM methodologies and identification of interactions between herbal products and drugs by TDM are very important clinically.
- Significantly reduced concentrations of various therapeutic drugs such as digoxin, theophylline, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, tricyclic antidepressants, warfarin, and protease inhibitors can be observed due to interaction of these drugs with St.
- John's wort, causing treatment failure.
- On the other hand, a few drugs such as carbamazepine, mycophenolic acid, and procainamide do not show any interaction with St.
Use of complementary and alternative medicine for the treatment of genital herpes
Perfect MM et al. • Herpes : the journal of the IHMF (2005)
It is hoped that future clinical trials will be conducted with sufficient rigour to provide guidance to the patients using these products.
- We have reviewed available scientific data on six commonly used treatments (echinacea, eleuthero, L-lysine, zinc, bee products and aloe).
- In addition, information about a number of other products is presented in tabular form.
- Currently, there are insufficient clinical data to be confident of the efficacy and safety of any of these products for the treatment of genital herpes.
Herb-drug interactions: a literature review
Hu Z et al. • Drugs (2005)
Herbs should be appropriately labeled to alert consumers to potential interactions when concomitantly used with drugs, and to recommend a consultation with their general practitioners and other medical carers.
- There are other theoretical interactions indicated by preclinical data.
- Both pharmacokinetic and/or pharmacodynamic mechanisms have been considered to play a role in these interactions, although the underlying mechanisms for the altered drug effects and/or concentrations by concomitant herbal medicines are yet to be determined.
- The clinical importance of herb-drug interactions depends on many factors associated with the particular herb, drug and patient.
Cardiovascular pharmacotherapy and herbal medicines: the risk of drug interaction
Izzo AA et al. • International journal of cardiology (2005)
Patients taking anticoagulants are at the highest risk.
- Other adverse events include hypertension after co-administration of ginkgo and a diuretic thiazide, hypokalemia after liquorice and antihypertensives and anticoagulation after phenprocoumon and St.
- Interaction between herbal medicine and cardiovascular drugs is a potentially important safety issue.
- Patients taking anticoagulants are at the highest risk.
Assessment of the effects of eleutherococcus senticosus on endurance performance
Goulet ED et al. • International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism (2005)
It is therefore concluded that ES supplementation (up to 1000 to 1200 mg/d for 1 to 6 wk) offers no advantage during exercise ranging in duration from 6 to 120 min.
- This article reviews the studies that evaluated the effects of ES during endurance exercise, three of which suggest that ES substantially improves CF, FAM, and EP.
- However, each of these reports contains severe methodological flaws, which seriously threaten their internal validity, thereby rendering hazardous the generalization of the results.
- On the other hand, 5 studies that used rigorous research protocols show no benefit of ES on CF, FAM, and EP.
Vitamin E and ginseng supplementation to enhance female sexual function: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial
Ghamari K et al. • Women & health (2020)
Although our study could not find additional benefits for the vitamin E and ginseng supplement over placebo in enhancing sexual function overall, the supplement worked better in enhancing sexual desire and satisfaction.
- Changes in the FSFI total score and its domain scores were significant during the trial course within each group.
- However, the supplement only ameliorated desire and satisfaction domains superior to the placebo.
- Although our study could not find additional benefits for the vitamin E and ginseng supplement over placebo in enhancing sexual function overall, the supplement worked better in enhancing sexual desire and satisfaction.
Acute effectiveness of a "fat-loss" product on substrate utilization, perception of hunger, mood state and rate of perceived exertion at rest and during exercise
Alkhatib A et al. • Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2015)
The multi-ingredient product's potential enhancement of FAO during exercise, satiety, and RPE reduction suggests an acute effectiveness of SHRED in improving the exercise-related fat loss benefits.
- FAO increased in SHRED from Pre1 to Pre2 [0.56 ± 0.26 to 0.96 ± 0.37, (p = 0.003, d =1.34)] but not in PL [0.67 ± 0.25 to 0.74 ± 0.19, (p = 0.334) d = 0.49], with no differences were found between conditions (p = 0.12, d = 0.49).
- However, Cohen's d = 0.77 revealed moderate effect size in favor of SHRED from Pre to Post exercise.
- However, a trend was shown towards improved satiety in SHRED compared with PL, [F(1,11) = 3.58, p = 0.085].
Eleutherococcus for chronic fatigue
Hartz AJ et al. • Psychological Medicine (2004)
Siberian ginseng showed modest benefits for chronic fatigue.
- Reduced fatigue
- Improved function
- Well-tolerated
Eleuthero for athletic endurance
Asano K et al. • Japanese Journal of Physical Fitness and Sports Medicine (1986)
Eleutherococcus improved endurance performance.
- Improved VO2max
- Enhanced endurance
- Soviet research validated
The Herbal Alternatives for Menopause (HALT) Study: background and study design
Newton KM et al. • Maturitas (2005)
Despite inherent challenges, the study of alternative therapies for menopause symptoms is a rewarding and important area deserving of further inquiry.
- Independent testing of herbal products was vital to confirming their constituents.
- The Data and Safety and Monitoring Committee, and project officers at the funding agency, were critical partners in designing responses to unanticipated Women's Health Initiative findings published during the HALT trial.
- Careful monitoring of adverse events may provide much needed information about side effects of herbal products and supplements.
Development of a highly reproducible system to evaluate inhibition of cytochrome P450 3A4 activity by natural medicines
Sato Y et al. • Journal of pharmacy & pharmaceutical sciences : a publication of the Canadian Society for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Societe canadienne des sciences pharmaceutiques (2015)
In the present study, we have successfully developed a highly reproducible system to evaluate CYP3A4 inhibition in small intestines by natural medicines.
- In the present study, we have successfully developed a highly reproducible system to evaluate CYP3A4 inhibition in small intestines by natural medicines.
- Published in Journal of pharmacy & pharmaceutical sciences : a publication of the Canadian Society for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Societe canadienne des sciences pharmaceutiques (2015)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
A comparative study on root and bark extracts of Eleutherococcus senticosus and their effects on human macrophages
Jin L et al. • Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (2020)
The ability of E. senticosus root and bark extracts to promote polarization of human macrophages towards anti-inflammatory M2a and M2b phenotypes, respectively, might underlay the immunoregulatory activities and point to potential wound healing promoting effects of this medicinal plant.
- In addition, treatment with E. senticosus root and bark extracts decreased phosphorylation of Akt on Ser473 and significantly reduced expression of the hemoglobin scavenger receptor CD163 by macrophages.
- The ability of E. senticosus root and bark extracts to promote polarization of human macrophages towards anti-inflammatory M2a and M2b phenotypes, respectively, might underlay the immunoregulatory activities and point to potential wound healing promoting effects of this medicinal plant.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Effects of herbal extracts on the function of human organic anion-transporting polypeptide OATP-B
Fuchikami H et al. • Drug metabolism and disposition: the biological fate of chemicals (2006)
These results suggest that coadministration of some dietary supplements may decrease the absorption of orally administered substrates of OATP-B.
- At concentration levels considered likely to be attainable in the human intestine, extracts of bilberry, echinacea, green tea, banaba, grape seed, ginkgo, and soybean potently inhibited estrone-3-sulfate uptake by 75.5, 55.5, 82.1, 61.1, 64.5, 85.4, and 66.8%, respectively (P < 0.01).
- The extracts of mulberry, black cohosh, and Siberian ginseng moderately (but significantly) inhibited estrone-3-sulfate uptake by 39.1, 47.2, and 49.2%, respectively (P < 0.05).
- Moreover, flavonol glycosides and catechins significantly inhibited the function of OATP-B, suggesting that the inhibitory effects of the herbal extracts on OATP-B may be primarily attributable to flavonoids.