ADAPTOGENS AND HEALTH CARE

CONCLUSION

Particular feature of adaptogenic effects of the four plants extracts are determined by some factors: the molecular structure of adaptogenic substances, the extent of the adaptogen’s affinity to certain cellular receptors and concentration of the adaptogens in the extract.

From the description of physiological effects of the plants it seems like their action spectra are partially overlapped. However that impression can be not correct. The seeming overlapping is probably the consequence of no precise methodology that doesn’t permit to reveal existing differences in the effects of different plant extracts. One type of immune system cells (of bone marrow, for instance) can interact with the adaptogen from one plant while other immune system cells (of spleen) can interact with the adaptogen from another plant, but both adaptogens can evoke general effect - activation of immune response. Analogically, cells of different divisions of central nervous system also have different membrane receptors and can interact with different adaptogens. As a result, two different adaptogens can evoke activation of central nervous system that is registered as restoration of mental workability. Registration of more specific biochemical changes in immune and central nervous systems could reveal the differences between effects of the two adaptogens.           

    With the aim of utilization of whole action spectrum of the extracts from Leuzea, Rhodiola, Eleutherococcus and Schizandra, the adaptogenic preparation called “AdMax” has been recently manufactured by NULAB, Inc., Clearwater, FL. The preparation is a combination of dry extracts from the four plants.

    As mentioned earlier, some compounds of adaptogenic plants (such as phytoecdysones and flavonols) can bind to steroid hormone receptors of

different cells, including cells of the brain. The relative binding affinities of these compounds to some cellular receptors is 10 to 100 times lower than that of human hormones. This is why these plant compounds

interact with the receptors primarily when there is a deficiency in the endogenous hormones. Thereby they play a role of low affinity hormonal buffer in the blood during stress when the quantity of steroid hormones drops in the blood stream. A restoration of the hormonal balance in the body is, probably, most important mechanism to restore homeostasis disturbed by stress.

    The compounds possessed antioxidant properties also make contribution to adaptogenic effects. Some other, even minor, compounds are important because they can act either independently or as

co-effectors for other compounds, thereby promoting synergic effect of the extract constituents. So, adaptogenic properties of the plants are determined by cooperative and synergic action of a number

of their constituents. The isolation of individual compounds from the extracts essentially results in a drug that does not possess the complete action spectrum characteristic of the plant, which it came from.

    The effectiveness of adaptogen’s action in the most part depends on physiological state of the human body and individual emotional sensitivity. In general, the more functional deviation from normal, the stronger adaptogenic effect. Adaptogens usually have no effect on the normal functioning of the organism.

    Disturbance of homeostasis by stress is the primary stage of functional upsets and sickness development. It is why the restoration of homeostasis by adaptogens prevents some sicknesses. This is the fundamental difference between adaptogens and typical pharmaceutical drugs, which is directed to symptom elimination of an already raised disease. With some exceptions, adaptogens have reduced effects on an already developed disease and in this case their role lies mostly in the prevention of complications to the disease and in a strengthening of general state of the organism.

    Numerous studies have showed no significant side effects during long-term oral intake of the extracts at normal doses. Some persons do have, however, an increased sensitivity to the plant extracts and they mark, in particular, insomnia if they take of the extract in a second part of the day. The persons who are under medical care especially for cardiovascular and neurological diseases should consult their physicians concerning intake of the extracts.  

    The pharmaceutical paradigm: one drug—one symptom is widely spread. Exactly like this most pharmaceutical drugs act. In contrast to that, action of adaptogens doesn’t direct to elimination of the symptoms of already existing diseases. Adaptogen action is directed to restoration of stress-induced disturbance of homeostasis in the organism. Thereby it restores functional activity and promotes nonspecific resistance of the body against sicknesses. It is why adaptogens possess much broader spectrum of action than most pharmaceutical drugs.