ABSTRACT
Title
Effect of salidroside, active principle of Rhodiola rosea extract, on binge eating
Authors
C. Cifani1, MV. Micioni Di B1, G. Vitale2, V. Ruggieri2, R. Ciccocioppo1, M. Massi1
1School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino (MC), Italy
2Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41100 Modena, Italy
1School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino (MC), Italy
2Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41100 Modena, Italy
Abstract
Stress is a key determinant of binge eating (BE). Since Rhodiola rosea is known to modulate stress responses, its effect in a model of BE was investigated. The anti-stress properties of Rhodiola rosea have been documented in humans and in experimental animals and have been attributed to interference both with the HPA axis and the sympatho-adrenal system.
BE for highly palatable food (HPF) was evoked in female rats by three 8-day cycles of food restriction/re-feeding (for 4 days 66% of the usual chow intake; for 4 days food ad libitum) and acute stress on the test day (day 25). All groups were fed HPF for 2 h on day 5-6 and 13-14. Stress was induced by preventing access to HPF for 15 min, while rats were able to see and smell it. After the stressful procedure the rats had free access to HPF and standard chow. Rhodiola rosea dry extract (3% rosavin, 3.12% salidroside) or its active principles were given by gavage 1 h before access to HPF. Only rats exposed to both food restrictions and stress exhibited BE in the first 15-60 min after the stressful procedure. Rhodiola rosea extract 10 mg/kg significantly reduced and 20 mg/kg abolished the BE episode. Rhodiola rosea extract 20 mg/kg abolished also stress-induced increase in serum corticosterone levels. The Rhodiola rosea active principle salidroside, but not rosavin, at doses present in the extract, dose-dependently reduced or abolished BE for the period in which it was elicited.
Medications that at present have been suggested to reduce BE in clinical studies, like topiramate or sibutramine are associated with a variety of adverse side effects, which represent a serious problem during chronic treatment. The observed effects, together with evidence that Rhodiola rosea is not associated with overt adverse effects, suggest that its extract, or salidroside may be interesting agents for treatment of bingeing-related eating disorders.
BE for highly palatable food (HPF) was evoked in female rats by three 8-day cycles of food restriction/re-feeding (for 4 days 66% of the usual chow intake; for 4 days food ad libitum) and acute stress on the test day (day 25). All groups were fed HPF for 2 h on day 5-6 and 13-14. Stress was induced by preventing access to HPF for 15 min, while rats were able to see and smell it. After the stressful procedure the rats had free access to HPF and standard chow. Rhodiola rosea dry extract (3% rosavin, 3.12% salidroside) or its active principles were given by gavage 1 h before access to HPF. Only rats exposed to both food restrictions and stress exhibited BE in the first 15-60 min after the stressful procedure. Rhodiola rosea extract 10 mg/kg significantly reduced and 20 mg/kg abolished the BE episode. Rhodiola rosea extract 20 mg/kg abolished also stress-induced increase in serum corticosterone levels. The Rhodiola rosea active principle salidroside, but not rosavin, at doses present in the extract, dose-dependently reduced or abolished BE for the period in which it was elicited.
Medications that at present have been suggested to reduce BE in clinical studies, like topiramate or sibutramine are associated with a variety of adverse side effects, which represent a serious problem during chronic treatment. The observed effects, together with evidence that Rhodiola rosea is not associated with overt adverse effects, suggest that its extract, or salidroside may be interesting agents for treatment of bingeing-related eating disorders.