Role of nutraceuticals as adaptogens

Adaptogens are agents which protect against stress and stress-related disorders. They act in a nonspecific manner and rejuvenate the body systems in a holistic manner by complex and interactive mechanisms. The ability to cope with the stressful experience maintains the physiological homeostasis and the lack of such adaptive mechanisms results in pathophysiological states, which can involve cardiovascular organs, the immunological system, neuroendocrinal axis, gastrointestinal system, central nervous system, etc. Conventional antistress agents used for such conditions, while being effective, have a plethora of undesirable effects which limit their long-term use, and thus there is a constant search for more effective and safer agents. Nutraceuticals are food additives and/or nutritional supplements used for the prevention and treatment of many diseases as well as for maintenance of normal wellbeing. Some such nutraceuticals with adaptogenic potential are primarily obtained from herbal sources (medicinal plants), and, in recent years, have gained considerable attention because of their safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness. Experimental and clinical studies have validated their uses in a plethora of human diseases and scientific research has clarified their efficacy and safety issues. In addition, several dietary supplements which provide potential adaptogenic molecules after chemical transformation in the body are also being increasingly recommended for stress and stress-related conditions. With the evolving scenario, and increasing general awareness about health and disease, the use of such nutraceuticals may revolutionize the management of some of these excruciating and debilitating disease states. Such adaptogens, in view of their holistic effectiveness and well known safety, could not only help to counteract stress effects on the biological system but also increase nonspecific resistance to a variety of threatening/aversive conditions. The outcome could be attenuation of stress-related disorders and improvement of the quality of life.