Rhodiola crenulata
Rhodiola crenulata · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Sparse (72 studies) · ★★☆☆☆
, scientifically known as Rhodiola crenulata, is a potent medicinal herb native to the high-altitude regions of China. Renowned for its adaptogenic properties, it is rich in salidroside, a bioactive compound used to combat fatigue, enhance mental clarity, and support cellular health against oxidative stress and physical exhaustion.
- Family
- Crassulaceae
- Native range
- Asia-Temperate
- Parts used
- Root · Rhizome
- Common names
- Not available
- Scientific synonyms
- Rhodiola Megalophylla · Sedum Rotundatum Var. Oblongatum · 7 more
Names
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Rhodiola crenulataSynonyms
- Rhodiola megalophylla
- Sedum rotundatum var. oblongatum
- Sedum megalanthum
- Sedum megalophyllum
- Sedum rotundatum
- Sedum crenulatum
- Sedum euryphyllum
- Rhodiola rotundata
- Rhodiola euryphylla
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Saxifrages, falling into the family Crassulaceae. Finally, it is situated within the genus Rhodiola.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Saxifragales | WCVP |
| Family | Crassulaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Rhodiola | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several high-altitude regions of Asia. Within China, it is primarily found in the South-Central areas, as well as throughout Qinghai and Tibet. Its presence extends into the Indian Subcontinent, specifically within the East Himalaya region. Furthermore, the species is documented to grow within the borders of Nepal. Together, these locations highlight the plant's preference for the rugged mountainous terrains of the eastern Himalayas.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Qinghai | WCVP |
| China | Tibet | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Nepal | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | West Himalaya | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Rhodiola crenulata, is characterized by a complex underground structure where the most medicinal components are found. The primary focus of its therapeutic value lies within the rhizomes, which often develop into thick, fleshy roots that store essential nutrients. Extending from these central structures are various roots, including delicate hairy roots that assist in nutrient absorption from the alpine soil. While the stems emerge above the ground to support the foliage, it is the robust development of the roots and their interconnected rhizomes that defines the plant's unique botanical profile.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| root | Chinese herbal medicines (and other 7 sources) | ★★★★☆ |
| rhizome | Chinese herbal medicines (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flower | BioMed research international (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem | BioMed research international (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Rhodiola crenulata has 26 reported phytochemicals identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Salidroside, Flavonoids, Adenosine Phosphates, CA, CD.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Salidroside | 7 supporting sources | ★★★★☆ |
| Flavonoids | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Adenosine Phosphates | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CA | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CD | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CU | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Condensed Tannins | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ellagitannin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Free Fatty Acids | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gallotannins | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Salidroside
- GigaScience
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
- Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials
- Frontiers in genetics
- Gene
View 2 additional sources
- Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica
- Food & function
Flavonoids
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
Adenosine Phosphates
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
CA
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
CD
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
CU
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
Condensed Tannins
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
Ellagitannin
- Rapid communications in mass spectrometry : RCM
Free Fatty Acids
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
Gallotannins
- Rapid communications in mass spectrometry : RCM
Activities
Rhodiola crenulata has 5 reported activities identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Neuroprotective, Antidepressant, Antifatigue, Antioxidant, Antitumor.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Neuroprotective | Neural regeneration research (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidepressant | Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifatigue | Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Rhodiola crenulata has 17 reported medicinal uses identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Alzheimer's disease, PH, antidepressant, apoptosis, cardiac arrhythmias.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer's disease | Neural regeneration research (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| PH | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antidepressant | Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| apoptosis | Neural regeneration research (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cardiac arrhythmias | Frontiers in cardiovascular medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cold stress | Gene (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| colitis | Food & function (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cough | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fatigue | Frontiers in plant science (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| glioblastoma | The Journal of surgical research (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| RCE | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Rhodiola crenulata extract (RCE) | Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Rhodiola crenulata water extract | Chinese journal of natural medicines (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Water-extraction | Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| alcohol-precipitation | Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| edible alcohol extract of the root | Neural regeneration research (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ethanol extract | Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |