Antioxidant but not ergogenic or altitude-protective: a meta-analysis of Rhodiola species in healthy adults
Year: 2026
Type: review
Study designs: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis
Abstract: Background Plants of the genus Rhodiola (including R. rosea and R. crenulata ) is purported to enhance antioxidant capacity and altitude adaptation, yet clinical evidence remains conflicting. This meta-analysis evaluates its effects on systemic antioxidant markers and altitude adaptation outcomes in healthy adults. Methods Nine Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs, n=424) were identified from PubMed, Cochrane, Medline, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Primary outcomes included maximal oxygen uptake (VO 2 max), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and acute mountain sickness (AMS) incidence. Data were pooled using RevMan 5.4 with random/fixed-effects models. Results R. rosea significantly increased TAC (P=0.02) and showed a trend toward reducing TBARS levels (P=0.06), indicating enhanced systemic antioxidant capacity. However, it showed no significant effect on VO 2 max (95% CI: -0.91 to 2.99; P=0.30) or MDA levels (P=0.07). Crucially, R. rosea did not prevent AMS (OR=1.02, 95% CI: 0.69–1.52) but mitigated some symptoms of high-altitude deacclimatization (P<0.05). Conclusion Extracts of Rhodiola species significantly improves systemic antioxidant status and may alleviate high-altitude de-adaptation symptoms. However, current evidence does not support its efficacy for improving VO 2 max, reducing MDA levels, or preventing AMS. These uncertainties likely stem from heterogeneous study designs, sample sizes, variable dosing, and inconsistent intervention durations. Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251004228 , identifier CRD420251004228.
Source: Frontiers in Physiology
Institution: Southwest Jiaotong University
Language: English
Subfield: Complementary and alternative medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
OpenAlex ID: W7220850310