WHAT IS SORGHUM BICOLOR ?

JOBELYN as a potential adaptogen

The routine uses of JOBELYN in an adaptogenic fashion for the relief of feelings of intense stress and to restore the much-needed energy during periods of recovery from debilitating diseases represents another major reason for its use [16, 19, 24]. It is important to note that the response to both biotic (pathogens) and abiotic (physical and psychosocial factors) stressors induces adaptive responses; however, when stress persists and becomes intense, the adaptive mechanisms of the organism become deficient, resulting in the pathogenesis of several human diseases [114-116]. The breakdown in adaptive responses, which signals organ pathologies and immune dysfunctions, was coined by Hans Selye as general adaptation syndrome [8, 117-118], who reasoned that human illnesses stemmed from ineffective adaptation [118]. The notion of general adaptation syndrome led to the search during the second World War by Russian scientists for substances—later called adaptogens—of plant origin that could be used to enhance the capability for physical and mental work, and which can help individuals to survive in challenging situations involving intense/prolonged stress [117, 119].

Adaptogens were initially defined as substances that enhance the “state of non-specific resistance” to stress; a physiological condition that is linked with dysregulation of the neuroendocrine–immune system [117, 119]. More recently, adaptogens were defined as a category of herbal medicinal and nutritional products promoting the adaptability, resilience, and survival of living organisms in stressful situations [8]. Thus, adaptogens are meant to stimulate the intrinsic adaptive mechanisms of the organism, in order to help it survive in situations of intense/prolonged stress [117]. The most striking features of adaptogens include the capability to mount resistance against varied stressors, such as physical, chemical, biological (pathogens), and psychological noxious factors, thus exerting beneficial healthy effects independent of the nature of the pathological conditions [117, 119]. However, in clinical settings, adaptogens are generally reputed for their ability to exert an anti-fatigue effect, increasing mental work capacity against a background of stress and fatigue, particularly with respect to tolerance to mental exhaustion and enhanced attention [117].

Extensive reviews have documented the ability of adaptogenic substances to activate the protective mechanisms of cells, in order to promote increased survival rates in both in vitro and in vivo models [8, 117]. Adaptogens have been reported to effectively prevent and treat stress-related and aging disorders, such as chronic fatigue, memory impairment, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, diabetes, heart diseases, chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, infections, and cancer [8]. Based on the polyvalent pharmacological actions of adaptogens, it has been proposed that the normal paradigm of “one drug for one disease: does not correctly apply to them [8]. Plants with known adaptogenic actions include Panax ginseng, Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, Glycyrrhiza glabra L., Asparagus racemosus Willd., Ocimum sanctum L., Piper longum L., Tinospora cordifolia (Thunb.) Miers, Emblica officinalis Gaertn., Rhodiola rosea L., Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill., and Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) [8].

The first concrete experimental evidence of the potential adaptogenic activity of JOBELYN was based on its reported ability of bringing about relief with respect to feelings of intense stress and as an energizer in the context of debilitating disease [16, 19, 24]. Its adaptogenic potential has also been demonstrated in unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS), as it attenuated memory deficits induced by UCMS through neuroprotective mechanisms relating to suppression of oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines [120]. It is worthy of note to understand that UCMS mimics the ways in which humans encounter multiple stressors on a daily basis, and is generally accepted as the most suitable model for elucidation of the pathological mechanisms of chronic stress-induced organ pathologies and immune dysfunctions. In the UCMS model, JOBELYN also attenuated loss of neuronal cells in the Cornu Ammonis 3 (CA3) of the hippocampus, suggesting neuroprotective effect [120]. Moreover, it also reduced serum corticosterone concentrations [120], a major biomarker of chronic stress response. It is well-known that cortisol-induced activation of oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways is the primary culprit involved in the mediation of stress-related pathologies [8]. Indeed, an elevated concentration of cortisol serves as a key biomarker of intense stress. Substances with adaptogenic activity have been shown to reduce serum concentrations of corticosterone [8]. Thus, the ability of JOBELYN to reduce corticosterone is an important finding from the study of Umukoro et al. [120]. The possibility of JOBELYN behaving like an adaptogen is also based on findings that it attenuated depression-like symptoms in mice subjected to stressful situations (i.e., forced swimming exercise and tail suspension protocols) [121]. In an in vitro stress model, it was also reported that JOBELYN protected RBCs against hyposaline-induced haemolysis [43], suggesting cyto-protection and increased cellular resistance to stress. Notably, the recent finding that JOBELYN increased the survival rate and prolonged the lifespan of LPS-exposed Drosophila melanogaster reinforces its potential adaptogenic-like property [93]. This is in agreement with previous reports linking adaptogens to increased lifespan and stress resistance in C. elegans [122]; another model organism widely used for the elucidation of the neurobiological mechanisms of stress and age-related disorders. The capability of JOBELYN to combat stress in various models may be related to the presence of minerals, vitamins, and phytochemicals that can modulate the key mediators of stress response and immune defence mechanisms in response to stressors. These sets of reports are suggestive of JOBELYN’s capability to mitigate stress in healthy individuals.