Adaptogens stimulate molecular chaperon Hsp70 expression in neuroglia cells

The seventy-kilo Dalton heat shock protein (Hsp70) plays an important role in the deterrence of protein damage during aging and their expression is required for longevity [1]. Recently, we demonstrated that ADAPT-232, a fixed combination of the extracts of three adaptogenic plants – Rhodiola rosea L., Schisandra chinensis K.Koch and Eleutherococcus senticosus Maxim., significantly increases the levels of circulating Hsp70 in the blood of rats [2]. Further, the long term treatment of aged rats with ADAPT-232 diminished or prevented a range of age-related disorders including malfunction of the central nervous system, loss of memory and loss of learning ability [3]. Similarly, ADAPT-232 improves cognitive function and mental performance in humans [4]. In this study, for the first time we demonstrate that ADAPT-232 stimulates the release of the heat shock protein (Hsp72) in isolated neuralgia cells via the upregulation of heat shock factor-1 (HSF-1). Taken together, our data suggests that the stimulation of HSP expression by adptogens is associated with their anti-aging activity.

Keywords: Adaptogens, Heat Shock Proteins, Neuroglia Cells, ADAPT-232, HSF-1, Hsp70

Acknowledgement: This work was supported in part by the Swedish Herbal Institute; Scott & White Memorial Hospital and Clinic, the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, the Central Texas Veterans Health Administration and an Endowment from the Cain Foundation.

References: 1. Calderwood et al. (2009) Gerontology 55: 550–558.

2. Panossian et al. (2009) Phytomedicine 16: 617–622.

3. Makarov et al. (2007) Abstract of International Congress Stress, Budapest, p.242.

4. Aslanyan et al. (2010) Phytomedicine 17:494–499.