Alexander George Panossian

• Professor
• Head at Phytomed AB

Long-lasting brain fatigue is a consequence of stroke or traumatic brain injury associated with emotional, psychological, and physical overload, distress in hypertension, atherosclerosis, viral infection, and aging-related chronic low-grade inflammatory disorders. The pathogenesis of brain fatigue is linked to disrupted neurotransmission, the gluta...

Long-lasting brain fatigue is a consequence of stroke or traumatic brain injury associated with emotional, psychological, and physical overload, distress in hypertension, atherosclerosis, viral infection, and aging-related chronic low-grade inflammatory disorders. The pathogenesis of brain fatigue is linked to disrupted neurotransmission, the gluta...

Background: Greek mountain tea (GMT), Herba Sideritis (Sideritis scardica Griseb.), is traditionally used to treat the common cold and mild gastrointestinal disorders. Sideritis spp. has been characterized as a genus with more than 150 perennial species widely distributed in the Mediterranean and the Canary and Madeira Islands. GMT was adopted in 2...

Background: Despite some evidence supporting the synergy concept, the commonly known assumption that combinations of several herbs in one formulation can have better efficacy due to additive or synergistic effects has yet to be unambiguously and explicitly studied. Study aim: The study aimed to reveal the molecular interactions in situ of host cell...

Background: The commonly known assumption that combinations of several herbs in one formulation can have better efficacy due to additive or synergistic effects has not been systematically studied despite some evidence supporting the synergy concept. Study aim: The study aimed to reveal the molecular interactions in situ of host cells in response to...

Background and aim. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of the treatment of Kan Jang®, a fixed combination of Andrographis paniculata (Burm. F.) Wall. ex. Nees and Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim extracts in patients with mild symptoms of COVID-19. Methods. One hundred and forty patients received six capsules of Kan Jang® (n =...

Background and aim. The study aimed to assess the efficacy of the treatment of Kan Jang®, a fixed combination of Andrographis paniculata (Burm. F.) Wall. ex. Nees and Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim in patients with mild symptoms of COVID-19. Methods. One hundred forty patients received six capsules of Kan Jang® (n = 68, daily dos...

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of new Panax ginseng C.A.Mey preparation of increased bioavailability in fatigue assessed as relief of muscle soreness and improving the neuromuscular performance of healthy subjects following a bout of intense resistance exercise. The effects of the hydroponically cultivated red ginseng root powder HRG80 TM...

Background: This study aimed to assess the effect of a fixed combination of Red Ginseng and Red Sage (RG-RS) on the gene expression of neuronal cells to evaluate the potential impacts on cellular functions and predict its relevance in the treatment of stress and aging-related diseases and disorders. Methods: Gene expression profiling was conduct...

The content of this book is based on recent publications in scientific journals and on our own experience in phytotherapy. Our main aim is to summarise accumulated knowledge about the adaptogens in a simplified way, to make it easy to understand for anyone regardless of educational background. That is a challenge due to the daunting complexity of l...

The reductionist concept, based on the ligand–receptor interaction, is not a suitable model for adaptogens, and herbal preparations affect multiple physiological functions, revealing polyvalent pharmacological activities, and are traditionally used in many conditions. This review, for the first time, provides a rationale for the pleiotropic therape...

Kan Jang®, the fixed combination of Andrographis paniculata (Burm. F.) Wall. ex. Nees and Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim extracts, is a herbal medicinal product for relieving symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of Kan Jang®/Nergecov® on duration and the relief of inflammatory sy...

Currently, no effective treatment of comorbid complications or COVID-19 long-haulers during convalescence is known. This randomized, quadruple-blind, placebo-controlled trial aimed to assess the efficacy of adaptogens on the recovery of patients with Long COVID symptoms. One hundred patients with confirmed positive SARS-CoV-2 test, discharged from...

The content of this book is based on recent publications in scientific journals and on our own experience in phytotherapy. Our main aim was to summarize accumulated knowledge about the adaptogens in a simplified way, to make it easy to understand for anyone regardless of educational background. That is a challenge due to the daunting complexity...

Panax ginseng C.A.Mey. is an adaptogenic plant traditionally used to enhance mental and physical capacities in cases of weakness, exhaustion, tiredness, or loss of concentration, and during recovery. According to ancient records, red ginseng root preparations enhance longevity with long-term intake. Recent pharmacokinetic studies of ginsenosides in...

Numerous in vitro studies on isolated cells have been conducted to uncover the molecular mechanisms of action of Panax ginseng Meyer root extracts and purified ginsenosides. However, the concentrations of ginsenosides and the extracts used in these studies were much higher than those detected in pharmacokinetic studies in humans and animals orally...

Panax ginseng C.A.Mey. is an adaptogenic plant traditionally used to enhance mental and physical capacities in cases of weakness, exhaustion, tiredness, loss of concentration, and during recovery. According to ancient records, Red Ginseng root preparations enhance longevity with long-term intake. Recent pharmacokinetic studies of ginsenosides in hu...

Numerous in vitro studies on isolated cells have been conducted to uncover the molecular mechanisms of action of Panax ginseng Meyer root extracts and purified ginsenosides. However, the concentrations of ginsenosides and the extracts used in these studies were much higher than detected in pharmacokinetic studies in humans and animals orally admini...

Background and aim Andrographis paniculata and Eleutherococcus senticosus preparations and their fixed combination, called Kan Jang®, are traditionally used for relieving symptoms of upper-respiratory tract infections (URTIs). This study aimed to assess the efficacy of early intervention with Kan Jang® on the relief and duration of inflammatory sym...

Background: Recently, the superior efficacy of hydroponically cultivated red ginseng preparation HRG80® compared to wild growing white ginseng (WG) in preventing stress-induced symptoms related to the daily work situation of healthy subjects was reported. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of HRG80®, WG, and placebo on the electrical...

Adaptogens comprise a category of herbal medicinal and nutritional products promoting adaptability, resilience, and survival of living organisms in stress. The aim of this review was to summarize the growing knowledge about common adaptogenic plants used in various traditional medical systems (TMS) and conventional medicine and to provide a modern...

In times of health crisis, including the current COVID‐19 pandemic, the potential benefit of botanical drugs and supplements emerges as a focus of attention, although controversial efficacy claims are rightly a concern. Phytotherapy has an established role in everyday self‐care and health care, but, since botanical preparations contain many chemica...

In times of health crisis, including the current COVID-19 pandemic, the potential benefit of botanical drugs and supplements emerges as a focus of attention, although controversial efficacy claims are rightly a concern. Phytotherapy has an established role in everyday selfcare and health care, and since botanical preparations contain many chemical...

Background: We recently demonstrated that adaptogenic plant extracts prevent cytostatic drug-induced changes in transcriptome-wide mRNA microarray profiles of isolated neuroglial cells associated with neuronal function and cognitive impairment in cancer chemotherapy. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of Andrographis paniculate...

The aim of our review is to demonstrate the potential of herbal preparations, specifically adaptogens for prevention and treatment of respiratory infections, as well as convalescence, specifically through supporting a challenged immune system, increasing resistance to viral infection, inhibiting severe inflammatory progression, and driving effectiv...

Background: Root of the Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng CA Meyer) is used in traditional medicinal systems to enhance cognitive function. In this study we compared the effects of HRG80 with a Standard Ginseng Preparation (SGP) on the excitability of pyramidal cells in the hippocampus of rats by using hippocampal long-term potentiation. The aim of...

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of a new herbal preparation (Menopause Relief EP®), the hybrid combination of Actaea racemosa L. (black cohosh, BC) and Rhodiola rosea L. (RR) root extracts, compared with the most effective dose of BC extract in women with menopausal complaints. Methods: A total of 220 women w...

Background : The clinical efficacy of curcumin has not yet been established for the treatment of cancer, despite a large body of evidence from numerous preclinical studies suggesting the therapeutic potential of curcumin, particularly in a synergistic combination with paclitaxel. The main obstacle in using curcumin for adjunctive cancer therapy is...

Background: The aim of this pilot study was to compare the efficacy of hydroponically cultivated red Panax ginseng Meyer root preparation (HRG80) and traditionally harvested six-year-old white P. ginseng standard preparation (PGS) with placebo in preventing symptoms of stress. Methods: The effects of HRG80, PGS, and placebo capsules were studied...

Background: The current and potential uses of adaptogens are mainly related to treatment of stress-induced fatigue, impaired cognitive function, mental illness, and behavioral- and age-related disorders. However, clinical evidence regarding the efficacy of adaptogens is limited. The primary aim of this study is to determine whether a combination o...

Introduction: The adaptogens modulate expression of genes playing key roles in development of aging-related disorders, which are considered as low-grade systemic inflammatory conditions characterized by an imbalance between pro-and anti-inflammatory eicosanoids. Aim of the study: We compared the effects of anti-inflammatory and adaptogenic plant...

Background: Cancer chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairments are apparently associated with harmful effects on physiological functions of brain cells. Adaptogens, are known to exhibit neuroprotective effects and to increase cognitive functions in clinical studies. In our previous study (Seo et al., 2018), we demonstrated that selected adaptogenic...

Background: Toxicity of chemotherapeutics is a serious problem in cancer therapy. Adaptogens are known to increase adaptability and survival organisms. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of selected adaptogenic herbal extracts on FEC (fixed combination of 5-fluorouracil, epirubicin and cyclophosphamide) induced changes in transcri...

This is an extended abstract

Background: Cancer chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairments are presumably associated with undesirable effects of chemotherapy on physiological functions of brain cells. Adaptogens are natural compounds or plant extracts increasing an organism's adaptability and survival in stress. They exhibited neuroprotective effects and increased cognitive fu...

Background: Curcumin (CC) exerts polyvalent pharmacological actions and multi-target effects, including pain relief and anti-nociceptive activity. In combination with Boswellia serrata extract (BS), curcumin shows greater efficacy in knee osteoarthritis management, presumably due to synergistic interaction of the ingredients. Aim: To elucidate the...

Introduction: Adaptogens are natural compounds or plant extracts that increase adaptability and survival of organisms under stress. Adaptogens stimulate cellular and organismal defense systems by activating intracellular and extracellular signaling pathways and expression of stress-activated proteins and neuropeptides. The effects adaptogens on med...

Rhodiola rosea L. roots and rhizome extracts are active ingredients in adaptogenic herbal medicinal products (HMP) and dietary supplements for temporary relief of symptoms of stress, such as fatigue and weakness. R. rosea extract has a stimulating effect on the CNS, suggesting potential benefits on cognitive functions, memory, learning, and attenti...

Background: Rhodiola rosea L. roots and rhizome (RRR) extracts are used as dietary supplements for temporary relief of symptoms of stress, such as fatigue, sensation of weakness, and for improvement of mental and cognitive function. RRR containing products are also of interest to sports nutrition experts and antidoping authorities. It has been sugg...

In this chapter, we review molecular mechanisms and clinical studies of four botanical adaptogens: golden root (Rhodiola rosea [L.], radix and rhizome), Siberian ginseng (Eleu-therococcus senticosus), schisandra (Schisandra chinensis [Turcz.] Baill., fructus), and ash-wagandha (Withania somnifera [L.] Dunal, radix). These herbs are of particular in...

Adaptogens are stress-response modifiers that increase an organism's nonspecific resistance to stress by increasing its ability to adapt and survive. The classical reductionist model is insufficiently complex to explain the mechanistic aspects of the physiological notion of "adaptability" and the adaptogenic activity of adaptogens. Here, I demonstr...

Type 2 diabetes is a growing public health concern and accounts for approximately 90% of all the cases of diabetes. Besides insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes is characterized by a deficit in β-cell mass as a result of misfolded human islet amyloid polypeptide (h-IAPP) which forms toxic aggregates that destroy pancreatic β-cells. Heat shock protei...

Coelomocytes in the h-proIAPP transgenic C. elegans model. A. h-proIAPP adult C. elegans ventral coelomocytes and B. Dorsal coelomocytes images obtained with a fluorescent microscope at 40X magnification. Coelomocytes are suggested to be phagocytic and similar in function to the macrophages of vertebrates. They have a relatively fixed position in t...

Gene transcript level in h-proIAPP and m-proIAPP C. elegans models. RT-PCR was performed on h-proIAPP and m-proIAPP worms and PCR samples were taken at 25, 27 and 29 cycles of amplification and semi-quantified by visualization following electrophoresis in 1.5% agarose gels. Lane 1, 1-kb DNA ladder; lane 2, PCR product taken at 25 cycles of amplific...

Primers used in current study. (DOCX)

Supporting Information. (DOCX)

DS-Red::h-IAPP transfection in Beta-TC6 cells. Cells that exhibited strongest red fluorescence were round and detached A. Fluorescence image (left), phase contrast image (middle), fluorescence and phase contrast overlaid image (right), using 40 X magnifications, 24 hours after transfection. B. Fluorescence image (left), phase contrast image (middle...

Identification of positive proIAPP clones by colony PCR. Top panel; lane 1, 1-kb DNA ladder; lane 2–11, DNA extracted from various h-proIAPP colonies; lane 12, h-proIAPP vector (Origene) as a positive control. Bottom panel; lane 1–10, DNA extracted from different m-proIAPP colonies; lane 11, pCMV6 (Origene) as a negative control; lane 12, 1-kb DNA...

Acute inducible expression of h-proIAPP in a C. elegans model driven by hsp-16-2 promoter, correlates with high number of aggregates. Mouse and human pro-IAPP tagged with YFP expressed under the inducible hsp-16-2 promoter were observed in A, pharynx; B, body wall muscles; C, intestine, after animals were exposed to heat stress at 33°C for 90 minut...

Abstract Objective: The aim of this randomized, double-blinded, placebocontrolled trial was to assess the efficacy of adaptogens on the physical and emotional stress-induced loss of concentration, coordination, fatigue and hormonal changes in 215 elite athletes. This study explores two formulations, ADAPT-232S and ADAPT-S, that had standardized con...

Background Generally accepted, but insufficiently proved, the concept of synergy is based on an assumption that combining of two biologically active substances is justified because the combination is more active and less harmful than the ingredients. Hypothesis Analysis of RNA microarray of isolated neuroglia cells and the comparison the number of...

Efficacy of Adaptogenic Supplements on Adapting to Stress: A Randomized, Controlled Trial Objective: The aim of this randomized, double-blinded, placebocontrolled trial was to assess the efficacy of adaptogens on the physical and emotional stress-induced loss of concentration, coordination, fatigue and hormonal changes in 215 elite athletes. This...

A recent interest of Western medicine has been focused on the use of herbs as treatment or adjuvant therapy in varying diseases. Particularly, the knowledge that antibiotics are often over-prescribed for common infections, thus lending towards increased bacterial resistance, has instilled interest in herbal therapy for the uncomplicated upper respi...

Various processed products from Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) berries, seeds, and leaves are used in China and other countries as functional food, dietary supplements, and medicines. Growing interest to this plant is mainly due to a high nutritional value of berries and potential health effects of leaves and bark. This monograph provides...

Gene expression profiling was conducted on the human neuroglial cell line, T98G, after treatment with either a complex herbal formulation (ADAPT-232) or its constituents, which included extracts of Eleutherococcus senticosus root, Schisandra chinensis berry, and Rhodiola rosea root or several individual constituents, including eleutheroside E, schi...

Gene expression profiling was conducted on the human neuroglial cell line, after treatment with either the adaptogen, ADAPT-232, or its constituents, which included extracts of Eleutherococcus senticosus root, Schisandra chinensis berry, and Rhodiola rosea root, or several individual constituents, including eleutheroside E, schizandrin B, salidrosi...

Gene expression profiling was conducted on the human neuroglial cell line, T98G, after treatment with either a complex herbal formulation (ADAPT-232) or its constituents, which included extracts of Eleutherococcus senticosus root, Schisandra chinensis berry, and Rhodiola rosea root or several individual constituents, including eleutheroside E, schi...

Gene expression profiling was conducted on the human neuroglial cell line, after treatment with either the adaptogen, ADAPT-232, or its constituents, which included extracts of Eleutherococcus senticosus root, Schisandra chinensis berry, and Rhodiola rosea root, or several individual constituents, including eleutheroside E, schizandrin B, salidrosi...

This article focuses on the most extensively studied adaptogens: Rhodiola rosea, Eleutherococcus senticosus, and Schisandra chinensis. Clinical studies, evidence for stress-protective and simulative effects, and molecular mechanisms of action on metabolic and other processes regulated by the neuroendocrine system are discussed.