Effect of salidroside, active principle of Rhodiola rosea extract, on binge eating

Stress is a key determinant of binge eating (BE). Since Rhodiola rosea is known to modulate stress responses, its effect in a model of BE was investigated.BE for highly palatable food (HPF) was evoked in female rats by three 8-day cycles of food restriction/re-feeding (for 4 days 66% of the usual chow intake; for 4 days food ad libitum) and acute stress on the test day (day 25). R. rosea dry extract (3% rosavin, 3.12% salidroside) or its active principles were given by gavage 1 h before access to HPF. Only rats exposed to both food restrictions and stress exhibited BE in the first 15–60 min after the stressful procedure. R. rosea extract 10 mg/kg significantly reduced and 20 mg/kg abolished the BE episode. R. rosea extract 20 mg/kg abolished also stress-induced increase in serum corticosterone levels. The R. rosea active principle salidroside, but not rosavin, at doses present in the extract, dose-dependently reduced or abolished BE for the period in which it was elicited.In conclusion results indicate that R. rosea extracts may have therapeutic properties in bingeing-related eating disorders and that salidroside is the active principle responsible for this effect.

Research Highlights
► Binge eating was evoked in female rats by combining stress and food restrictions.
► Rhodiola rosea extract abolished binge eating
► Rhodiola rosea extract abolished stress-induced increase in serum corticosterone.
► Salidroside is responsible for the effect of R. rosea extract on binge eating.
► Salidroside may be effective in the treatment of bingeing-related eating disorders.