Eleuthero is sold in the United States as 'Siberian Ginseng' (E. senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Maxim., family Araliaceae). It is known in China as ci wu jia. The plant is a spiny-stemmed shrub found in northeast Asia and Japan, and is presently prescribed for medicinal use in France, Germany, Russia, and China. The part used consists of the dried roots and root bark. Eleuthero has been used in China as a folk remedy for bronchitis, heart ailments, and rheumatism, and as a tonic to restore vigor, improve general health, restore memory, promote healthy appetite, and increase stamina (Foster, 1996). The term 'adaptogen' was coined by a Soviet researcher to describe eleuthero's ability to increase 'non-specific' resistance in an organism and to help modulate stress and improve performance under stressful conditions. Much of the scientific literature published in China still employs the former Latin binomial Acanthopanax senticosus.
There is a relatively small number of controlled clinical trials performed with eleuthero. A single-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial lasting eight days investigated the effect of eleuthero extract (2 ml, twice daily) on working capacity and fatigue of six male athletes, ages 21-22. Oxygen uptake, heart rate, total work, and exhaustion time were measured. Significant results were observed in all parameters, particularly the 23.3% increase in total work noted in the eleuthero test group compared with 7.5% of the placebo group (Asano et al., 1986).
An eight-week double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the efficacy of eleuthero extract (3.4 ml daily) on submaximal and maximal exercise performance of 20 highly trained distance runners. No significant difference was observed between test and control groups in heart rate, oxygen consumption, expired minute volume, respiratory exchange ratio, perceived exertion, and serum lactate levels (Dowling et al., 1996).
A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study compared cognitive function measurements in 24 subjects who took eleuthero (625 mg twice daily), Ginkgo biloba (28.2 mg flavonolglycosides daily), or placebo. At the end of each three-month dose period, concentration, selective memory, cognitive function, and well-being were measured. Significant improvements in selective memory of the eleuthero group versus the placebo group (p<0.02) were demonstrated. For those taking ginkgo, results were significant only in those subjects over age 48 (p<0.05). No change in concentration was discovered in any group. Significant effects from eleuthero were also noted in feelings of well-being and levels of activity (Winther et al., 1997).
Several studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of eleuthero on eye conditions and color distinction. One study evaluated the pre- and post-operative effects of eleuthero extract (1.5 ml twice daily) on 282 male or female patients suffering from primary glaucoma (102 cases) and eye burns (58 cases). Beneficial effects were noted in both treatments. Eleuthero was also found beneficial in 122 cases of myopia treatment (Zaikova et al., 1968).
In 50 patients with normal trichromatic vision a single dose of eleuthero extract (2 ml) stimulated color distinction (red and green) within 30 to 60 minutes after ingestion. Maximum effect was reached in six to seven hours and persisted for a minimum of 29 hours (Sosnova, 1969).
Description
Eleuthero consists of the dried roots and rhizome of Eleutherococus senticosus Rupr. et Maxim. [syn. A. senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim. ex Maxim. Harms)] [Fam. Araliaceae] and their preparations in effective dosage. The root contains lignans and coumarin derivatives.
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Eleuthero contains phenolics, polysaccharides, and eleutherosides A-G, the total content ranging between 0.6-0.9% (Bradley, 1992). Eleutherosides B, B1, and E are representative of three classes of compounds collectively called eleutherosides. Other constituents include phenylpropanoids, lignans, coumarins, polysaccharides, and sugars (Bradley, 1992). A review of the chemistry of eleuthero with 29 chemical structures has been published (Tang and Eisenbrand, 1992).
The Commission E reported that in the immobilization test and the coldness test, the endurance of rodents was enhanced. In addition, the lymphocyte count in healthy volunteers, especially T-lymphocytes, increased following intake of fluidextracts.
Eleuthero has demonstrated adaptogenic and endurance-enhancing effects (Wagner et al., 1985; Leung and Foster, 1996), immunomodulatory effects (Bradley, 1992; Bohn et al., 1987), immunostimulatory effects (Fang et al., 1985), hypoglycemic activity (Hikino et al., 1986), platelet aggregation-inhibiting effects (Yun-Choi et al., 1987), and antiproliferative effects on leukemia cells in vitro (Bradley, 1992; Hacker and Medon, 1984). However, one in vivo experiment that evaluated the effect of eleuthero on stamina and longevity found no significant difference between mice given eleuthero and control mice (Lewis et al., 1983). In animal and in vitro studies, eleuthero has demonstrated effects of radiation protection (Yonezawa et al., 1989) and stress reduction (Takasugi et al., 1985).
Uses
Commission E approved eleuthero as a tonic in times of fatigue and debility, declining capacity for work or concentration, and during convalescence. Other uses for eleuthero are for chronic inflammatory conditions and traditionally for functional asthenia (Bruneton, 1995).
Contraindications
The Commission E notes a contraindication for hypertension. Eleuthero is generally considered by most herbalists in the United States to be milder in activity than the more stimulating root of Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng). There at least two studies in which it is recommended that eleuthero not be given to persons with a blood pressure in excess of 180/90 mm Hg (Farnsworth, 1985). Presumably, this information prompted the Commission to note this possible adverse effect in some people. However, the glycosides contained in eleuthero have been shown to lower blood pressure (McGuffin et al., 1997).
Side Effects
None known.
Use During Pregnancy and Lactation
No restrictions known.
Interactions with Other Drugs
None known.
Dosage and Administration
Unless otherwise prescribed: 2-3 g per day of powdered or cut root for teas for up to three months, as well as aqueous alcoholic extracts for internal use. A repeated course is feasible.
Infusion: 2-3 g in 150 ml of water.
Fluidextract 1:1 (g/ml): 2-3 ml.
Tincture 1:5 (g/ml): 10-15 ml.
References
Asano, K. et al. 1986. Effect of Eleutherococcus senticosus extract on human physical working capacity. Planta Med 3:175-177.
Bohn, B., C. Nebe, C. Birr. 1987. Flow-cytometric studies with E. senticoccus extract as an immunomodulatory agent. Arzneimforsch 37(10):1193-1196.
Bradley, P.R. (ed.). 1992. British Herbal Compendium, Vol. 1. Bournemouth: British Herbal Medicine Association.
Bruneton, J. 1995. Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants. Paris: Lavoisier Publishing.
Dowling, E.A., et al. 1996. Effect of Eleutherococcus senticosus on submaximal and maximal exercise performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 28(4):482-499.
Fang, J. et al. 1985. Immunologically active polysaccharides of E. senticosus. Phytochem 24:2619-2622.
Farnsworth, N.R. 1985. Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus): Current Status as an Adaptogen. In Wagner, H., H. Hikino, and N.R. Farnsworth (eds.). Economic and Medicinal Plant Research, Vol. I.London: Academic Press.
Foster, S. 1996. Siberian Ginseng—Eleutherococcus senticosus. Botanical Booklet Series, No. 302. Austin: American Botanical Council.
Hacker, B. and P. Medon. 1984. Cytotoxic effects of E. senticosus aqueous extract against L1210 leukemia cells. J Pharm Sci 73(2):270-272.
Hikino, H. et al. 1986. Isolation and hypoglycemic activity of Eleutherans AG: glycans of E. sentococcus roots. J Nat Prod 49(2):293-297.
Leung, A.Y. and S. Foster. 1996. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics, 2nd ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Lewis, W.H., V.E. Zenger, R.G. Lynch. 1983. No adaptogen response of mice to ginseng and Eleutherococcus infusions. J Ethnopharmacol 8(2):209-214.
McGuffin, M., C. Hobbs, R. Upton, A. Goldberg. 1997. American Herbal Product Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton: CRC Press.
Sosnova, T. 1969. [The effect of E. spinosus upon the color-distinction function of the optic analyzer in persons with normal trichromatic vision] [In Russian]. Vestn Oftalmol 82(5):59-61.
Takasugi, N. et al. 1985. Effect of Eleutherococcus senticosus and its components on rectal temperature, body and grip tones, motor coordination, and exploratory and spontaneous movements in acute stressed mice. Shoyakugaku Zasshi 39(3):232-237.
Tang, W. and G. Eisenbrand. 1992. Chinese Drugs of Plant Origin: Chemistry, Pharmacology, and Use in Traditional and Modern Medicine. New York: Springer Verlag.
Wagner, H., H. Hikino, N.R. Farnsworth. 1985. Economic and Medicinal Plant Research. London; Orlando, FL: Academic Press. 155-215.
Winther, K. et al. 1997. Russian root (Siberian Ginseng) improves cognitive functions in middle aged people, whereas Gingko biloba seems effective only in the elderly. (XVI World Congress of Neurology, Buenos Aires) J Neurologic Sciences 150:S90.
Yonezawa, M. et al. 1989. Radiation protection by Shigoka extract on split dose irradiation in mice. J Radiation Res 30(3):247-254.
Yun-Choi, H., J. Kim, J. Lee. 1987. Potential inhibitors of platelet aggregation from plant sources, III. J Nat Prod 50(6):1059-1064.
Zaikova, M., A. Verba, M. Snegireva. 1968. [Eleutherococcus in ophthalmology] [In Russian]. Vestn Oftalmol 81(3):70-74.
Additional Resources
Kaloeva, Z.D. 1986. [Effect of the glycosides of Eleutherococcus senticosus on the hemodynamic indices of children with hypotensive states] [In Russian]. Farmakol Toksikol 49(5):73.
Medon, P.J., P. Ferguson, C. Watson. 1984. Effects of Eleutherococcus senticosus extracts on hexobarbital metabolism in vivo and in vitro.J Ethnopharmacol 10(2):235-241.
This material was adapted from The Complete German Commission E Monographs—Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. M. Blumenthal, W.R. Busse, A. Goldberg, J. Gruenwald, T. Hall, C.W. Riggins, R.S. Rister (eds.) S. Klein and R.S. Rister (trans.). 1998. Austin: American Botanical Council; Boston: Integrative Medicine Communications.
1) The Overview section is new information.
2) Description, Chemistry and Pharmacology, Uses, Contraindications, Side Effects, Interactions with Other Drugs, and Dosage sections have been drawn from the original work. Additional information has been added in some or all of these sections, as noted with references.
3) The dosage for equivalent preparations (tea infusion, fluidextract, and tincture) have been provided based on the following example:
Unless otherwise prescribed: 2 g per day of [powdered, crushed, cut or whole] [plant part]
Infusion: 2 g in 150 ml of water
Fluidextract 1:1 (g/ml): 2 ml
Tincture 1:5 (g/ml): 10 ml
4) The References and Additional Resources sections are new sections. Additional Resources are not cited in the monograph but are included for research purposes.
This monograph, published by the Commission E in 1994, was modified based on new scientific research. It contains more extensive pharmacological and therapeutic information taken directly from the Commission E.
Excerpt from Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs Copyright 2000 American Botanical Council Published by Integrative Medicine Communications Available from the American Botanical Council.