Anthony Booker1, Banaz Jalil1, Debora Frommenwiler2, Eike Reich2, Lixiang Zhai1,3, Zarko Kulic4, Michael Heinrich1 A phytochemical and metabolomic investigation of the authenticity and quality

of Rhodiola rosea products available on the UK market.

1 Centre for Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, UCL School of Pharmacy, Brunswick Square, London, UK, 2 CAMAG AG, 4132 Muttenz, Switzerland, 3Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangdong, China, 4Schwabe Pharmaceutical Company, Karlsruhe, Germany

SCHOOL OF PHARMACY

Introduction: Having a traditional history of medicinal use within Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, Arctic countries, Asia and North America - Rhodiola products have become high value commodities, traded internationally. Rhodiola rosea L. is registered as a traditional remedy under the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive for symptoms of stress related fatigue and anxiety and is used widely throughout the Northern hemisphere. However, a high economic value and scarcity in the wild may make it prone to adulteration.

Methods: Approximately 45 products were sourced on the internet or bought from retail outlets and analysed using 1H-NMR spectroscopy – PCA, Mass Spectrometry or high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC)

Rhodiola rosea sampled products Distribution of important Rhodiola species

Results: Conclusion: 1. PCA analysis 1. 24% of unregistered products did not meet product label specifications and were likely to be adulterated by unknown plant species. 2. Indiscriminate collection from the wild is likely to be a contributory factor. Approximately 75% of products contained less rosavins than contained in a product registered under the THMPD. 3. Products with a traditional use registration were found to be of the correct species. 2. HPTLC analysis 4. This project highlights the dangers of obtaining herbal medicines that are unlicensed or have not been registered.

Sample Claim Findings no.

2 Rhodiola rosea sourced in China Not R. rosea, probably R. crenulata

3 Whole dried root of Rhodiola rosea Not R. rosea, probably R. crenulata

Not R. rosea or any other Rhodiola Rhodiola rosea extract 2000 mg, wild- 8 species. Determined as 5-HTP and sourced from Siberia excipients

Probably not Rhodiola species, 3. LC-MS and NMR spectra comparison 13 Rhodiola rosea root 1000 mg appears adulterated

Sample 8 Rhodiola rosea plus multivitamins 15 standardised to contain 3% rosavins Not R. rosea, probably R. crenulata and 1% salidroside

Rhodiola rosea standardised to contain 17 Not R. rosea, probably R. crenulata 5-HTP sample 1% salidroside

Not R. rosea, probably R. Rhodiola rosea standardised to contain 21 crenulata. Probable high sugar Sample 8 5-HTP sample 1% salidroside content

This research is funded through a charitable donation by Dr. Willmar Schwabe GmbH & Co. KG, Germany.