Effects of Rhodiola rosea supplementation on mental performance, physical capacity, and oxidative stress biomarkers in healthy men

摘要

PurposeThe objective of this study was to investigate the effects of chronicRhodiola rosea(R.?rosea) supplementation on mental and physical performance, as well as hormonal and oxidative stress biomarkers.MethodsTwenty-six healthy male students received eitherR.?roseaextract (600?mg/day; RR) or placebo (PL) in a randomized double-blind trial. Prior to supplementation (Term I) and following 4 weeks of supplementation (Term II), the students underwent psychomotor tests for simple and choice reaction time, included in the Vienna Test System. Also, the subjects performed VO2peaktest. Blood samples were obtained before and after the test to measure the hormonal profile (cortisol, testosterone, and growth hormone), as well as the biomarkers of oxidative stress (lipid hydroperoxides, total antioxidant capacity, and superoxide dismutase) and muscle damage (creatine kinase).ResultsR.?roseaingestion shortened reaction time and total response time. Moreover, a greater relative increase in the number of correct responses was observed in RR group as compared to the PL group. No changes in endurance exercise capacity and hormonal profile were observed afterR.?roseaingestion.R.?roseaingestion raised plasma total antioxidant capacity. It did not, however, affect other measured parameters.ConclusionChronicR.?roseaingestion does not affect physical performance, but can improve the results of some psychomotor tests (simple and choice reaction time) in young, healthy, and physically active men. The improvements in mental performance, however, at least in our study, seem not to be related to changes in cortisol release or antioxidant activity ofR.?roseaextract. Thus, the specific mechanisms responsible for these effects still need to be elucidated.