Hermetica Superfood Encyclopedia
The Short Answer
Salidroside (rhodioloside) is a phenylpropanoid glycoside derived primarily from Rhodiola rosea root, comprising a tyrosol aglycone linked to a glucose moiety. It exerts adaptogenic, antioxidant, and potential anticancer effects primarily through modulation of the MAPK signaling cascade, LOX-1 downregulation, and upregulation of superoxide dismutase (SOD) expression.
CategoryNamed Bioactive Compounds
GroupCompound
Evidence LevelModerate
Primary Keywordsalidroside benefits
Synergy Pairings3
Salidroside (Rhodioloside) — botanical close-up
Health Benefits
Origin & History
Natural habitat
Salidroside (also known as rhodioloside) is a phenyl ethanol glycoside compound extracted primarily from the roots of Rhodiola rosea L., a perennial flowering plant native to cold regions of Europe and Asia. It is isolated through standard solvent extraction methods from R. rosea extracts like SHR-5, followed by purification processes.
“Salidroside is derived from Rhodiola rosea, which has been used in traditional Chinese and Siberian medicine for fatigue, stress adaptation, and altitude sickness. The specific historical context of salidroside isolation and traditional dosing practices are not detailed in available research.”Traditional Medicine
Scientific Research
The research dossier reveals a significant gap in human clinical evidence, with no PubMed PMIDs for human trials, RCTs, or meta-analyses provided. Current evidence is limited to preclinical studies, including in vitro cancer cell inhibition and animal models for arthritis and exercise performance.
Preparation & Dosage
Traditional preparation
No clinically studied dosage ranges for human use have been established. In vitro studies used concentrations achieving IC50 in cancer cells or 0.1-10 μM for anti-inflammatory effects, but these cannot be translated to human dosing. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.
Nutritional Profile
Salidroside (Rhodioloside) is a pure isolated phenylpropanoid glycoside compound (molecular formula C14H20O7, molecular weight 300.30 g/mol), not a food ingredient, and therefore carries no macronutrient, micronutrient, vitamin, mineral, or fiber content. As a bioactive compound, it is the primary active constituent of Rhodiola rosea root, typically present in standardized Rhodiola extracts at 0.5–3% by weight (dry root contains approximately 0.3–1.0% salidroside by weight). It consists structurally of a tyrosol aglycone unit linked to a glucose moiety via a beta-glycosidic bond. Research-grade and supplement-grade preparations are typically >98% pure isolated compound. Bioavailability data from rodent pharmacokinetic studies indicates oral bioavailability is moderate; salidroside is absorbed in the small intestine, partially hydrolyzed to tyrosol by intestinal and hepatic enzymes, with peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) reached at approximately 0.5–1 hour post-ingestion in animal models. It undergoes hepatic glucuronidation and sulfation. No caloric value is applicable at physiological doses (typically studied at 50–500 mg/kg in animal models; human supplement doses commonly range 50–200 mg/day of standardized extract containing defined salidroside percentages). No protein, fat, carbohydrate, or micronutrient content is attributable to this isolated compound.
How It Works
Mechanism of Action
Salidroside inhibits the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway — including ERK1/2, p38, and JNK phosphorylation — thereby reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine transcription. It downregulates lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1), attenuating oxidative stress-driven NF-κB activation and vascular inflammation. Additionally, salidroside upregulates superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase enzymatic activity, enhancing cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging capacity and protecting mitochondrial membrane integrity.
Clinical Evidence
The majority of salidroside research consists of in vitro cell-line studies and rodent preclinical models, with limited randomized controlled trials isolating salidroside specifically from whole Rhodiola rosea extracts. Anticancer evidence derives from cell-line experiments showing IC50 values of 71–264 μg/mL across bladder cancer lines (RT4, J82, T24, UMUC3, 5637), which does not reliably translate to human therapeutic dosing. Some human trials using standardized Rhodiola rosea extract (containing 1–3% salidroside, typically 200–600 mg/day) have demonstrated reductions in fatigue and stress biomarkers such as cortisol, but these outcomes cannot be attributed solely to salidroside. Overall, evidence quality is preliminary to moderate; robust phase II/III clinical trials specifically investigating isolated salidroside are lacking.
Safety & Interactions
Salidroside delivered via Rhodiola rosea extracts is generally well tolerated at standard doses (200–600 mg/day of extract standardized to 1–3% salidroside), with mild reported side effects including insomnia, irritability, and headache, particularly when taken late in the day. It may exhibit mild monoamine oxidase inhibitory (MAOI) activity, warranting caution when combined with antidepressants, particularly SSRIs, SNRIs, or classical MAOIs, due to serotonin syndrome risk. Salidroside may also potentiate antidiabetic medications by enhancing insulin sensitivity, requiring blood glucose monitoring in diabetic patients on pharmacotherapy. Safety data during pregnancy and lactation is insufficient; use should be avoided in these populations until further evidence is available.
Synergy Stack
Hermetica Formulation Heuristic
Also Known As
RhodiolosideRhodiola glycosidep-Hydroxyphenethyl β-D-glucopyranosideRhodosin4-Hydroxyphenethyl-β-D-glucopyranosideGolden root glycosideArctic root compound
Frequently Asked Questions
What is salidroside and where does it come from?
Salidroside (also called rhodioloside) is a phenylpropanoid glycoside consisting of a tyrosol unit bound to glucose, found most abundantly in the root of Rhodiola rosea. It typically constitutes 1–3% of standardized Rhodiola rosea extracts and is considered one of the primary bioactive markers alongside rosavin. Smaller concentrations also occur in other Rhodiola species such as R. crenulata and R. sachalinensis.
What is the effective dose of salidroside?
There is no established isolated salidroside dosing guideline for humans; most research has used standardized Rhodiola rosea extracts delivering an estimated 2–6 mg of salidroside per dose (from 200–600 mg of a 1–3% standardized extract). Preclinical anticancer studies used concentrations of 71–264 μg/mL in cell culture, which do not directly correspond to oral human doses achievable in plasma. Until isolated salidroside clinical trials establish pharmacokinetic benchmarks, dosing guidelines remain extrapolated from Rhodiola extract studies.
Can salidroside help with cancer?
Preliminary in vitro evidence shows salidroside inhibits proliferation of bladder cancer cell lines (RT4, J82, T24, UMUC3, 5637) with IC50 values ranging from 71 to 264 μg/mL, suggesting differential potency across cell subtypes. Proposed mechanisms include apoptosis induction via caspase activation and cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. However, these are cell-culture findings only — no human clinical trials have tested salidroside as a cancer treatment, and these results should not be interpreted as evidence of clinical anticancer efficacy.
Does salidroside interact with antidepressants or other medications?
Salidroside, through its parent plant Rhodiola rosea, may weakly inhibit monoamine oxidase (MAO-A and MAO-B), which creates a theoretical interaction risk with SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, and classical MAOIs — potentially elevating serotonin or norepinephrine levels. It may also modestly potentiate hypoglycemic drugs by improving insulin sensitivity via AMPK pathway activation, necessitating glucose monitoring. Patients on anticoagulants such as warfarin should use caution, as Rhodiola-containing products have been associated with altered platelet aggregation in preclinical models.
How does salidroside reduce inflammation?
Salidroside suppresses inflammation primarily by inhibiting phosphorylation of MAPK pathway components — specifically p38 MAPK, ERK1/2, and JNK — which reduces downstream activation of NF-κB and subsequent transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α and IL-6. It also downregulates LOX-1 (lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1), a scavenger receptor implicated in oxidative stress-driven vascular and cellular inflammation. These mechanisms have been demonstrated in macrophage cell models and rodent inflammatory models, but have not yet been confirmed in large-scale human clinical trials.
What is the difference between salidroside and other active compounds in Rhodiola rosea?
Salidroside is one of the primary bioactive compounds in Rhodiola rosea, but the plant also contains rosavin, which has complementary but distinct effects on stress and energy metabolism. While both compounds contribute to Rhodiola's adaptogenic properties, salidroside specifically targets antioxidant pathways through Nrf2 activation and cellular stress responses via AMPK, whereas rosavin primarily influences monoamine neurotransmitter systems. The ratio of salidroside to rosavin can vary significantly between Rhodiola extracts, affecting their overall efficacy profile.
How is salidroside absorption and bioavailability affected by food or stomach acid?
Salidroside is a glycoside compound that may be partially broken down by stomach acid and gut bacteria before absorption, though specific bioavailability data in humans remains limited. Taking salidroside with food may slow absorption but could potentially improve stability and reduce gastric irritation, though optimal timing has not been rigorously studied in clinical trials. Most animal studies suggest salidroside achieves measurable plasma levels and crosses the blood-brain barrier, but individual variations in gut microbiota composition may influence its bioavailability.
What does current research quality tell us about salidroside's potential for human health?
Most evidence for salidroside's benefits comes from in vitro cell studies and animal models, with very limited human clinical trials available to date. While preliminary research shows promising IC50 values in bladder cancer cell lines and pathway modulation in rodent models, these findings cannot be directly translated to human efficacy without controlled clinical studies. The strength of evidence is currently insufficient to make definitive claims about salidroside's therapeutic use in humans, making it more appropriate for research interest than evidence-based supplementation recommendations.
Explore the Full Encyclopedia
7,400+ ingredients researched, verified, and formulated for optimal synergy.
Browse IngredientsThese statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
hermetica-encyclopedia-canary-zzqv9k4w salidroside curated by Hermetica Superfoods at ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com and licensed CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 (non-commercial share-alike, attribution required)
