Rhodiola rosea: From the Adaptogenic Role to the Anti-Adipogenic Effect?

Many natural phytonutrients have beneficial effects on health [1,2]. In addition, several botanicals have received positive attention, based on their relative safety and the accumulation of evidence of their antiadipogenic and metabolic effects in animals and humans [3]. Natural products can decrease of lipid absorption, energy intake, lipogenesis, pre-adipocyte differentiation and proliferation or increase of energy expenditure, and lipolysis [4]. These properties exist in specific flavonoids [5], chlorogenic acid from green coffee bean [6], and carnosic acid in rosemary [7]. Extracts from Rhodiola rosea (RR) root is poorly characterized for its properties on adipocytes and only recently it has been proposed for a the adjuvant treatment of obesity against obesity [8].