Non-food Things
Rhodiola extract extends lifespan of fruit flies
By David Liu, Ph.D.
Jan 2, 2008 - 8:23:21 PM

Jafari - photo credit UC_Irvine

WEDNESDAY JAN 2, 2008 (Foodconsumer.org) -- Taking an herbal extract of a yellow-flowered mountain plant known as Rhodiola rosea may increase one's lifespan, suggests a new study published in the online version of Rejuvenation Research.

Mahtab Jafari from the University of California in Irvine, California and colleagues found that fruit flies fed a diet full of Rhodiola rosea extended their lifespan by 10 percent compared to those who did not eat the diet with the herb extract.

Rhodiola rosea indigenous to the Arctic region of Europe and Asia has been known to relieve stress and some symptoms of depression.  Russians have been studying the herb for its effect on stress in athletes and cosmonauts since 1940s.

People with mild-to-moderate depression taking a Rhodiola extract called SHR-5 reported fewer symptoms of depression than did those who took a placebo, according to a study earlier last year in Nordic Journal of Psychiatry.

“Although this study does not present clinical evidence that Rhodiola can extend human life, the finding that it does extend the lifespan of a model organism, combined with its known health benefits in humans, make this herb a promising candidate for further anti-aging research,” said Jafari.

In the current study, the researchers fed adult fruit flies diets supplemented with various doses of four herbs that are commonly known for their anti-aging properties.

Rhodiola - photo credit UC_Irvine

The anti-aging effect was only found in the diet with Rhodiola rosea, but not in diets with any of other three herbs known by their Chinese names as Lu Duo Wei, Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang and San Zhi Pian.

Specifically, the diet with Rhodiola rosea extended lifespan in males by 3.5 days compared to 3.2 days in females.

It is unknown why the herbal extract extended fruit flies' lifespan.  It is possible, yet to be proved that antioxidants in Rhodiola rosea may play a role, according to the researchers.

Rhodiola rosea is also known as the golden root that grows in cold climate at high altitudes and has been used by Scandinavians and Russians for centuries mainly for its anti-stress effect.

In the next study, Jafari's team would investigate the anti-aging effect in animals and also the anti-aging mechanism.  Animal studies may result in some indication whether Rhodiola rosea could increase lifespan in humans.