Rhodiola Rosea Root Extract Protects Skeletal Muscle Cells Against Chemically Induced Oxidative Stress by Modulating Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70) Expression

Rhodiola rosea is a perennial plant in the Crassulaceae family, recently postulated to exert its adaptogenic functions partially by modulating the expression of molecular factors such as heat shock proteins (HSP). The aim of this study was to analyze the efficacy of a Rhodiola rosea extract (Rhodiolife) in protecting murine skeletal muscle cells (C₂C₁₂ myotubes) from chemically induced oxidative stress and to establish whether modulation of HSP70 expression is observed. C₂C₁₂ cells treated with Rhodiolife did not experience any loss of viability (p > 0.05) at concentrations of 1–100 µg/mL for up to 24 h. In control cultures, viability decreased 25% following exposure to 2 mM H₂O₂ (1 h). However, no significant decrease in viability in cells pre‐treated with extract at concentrations as low as 1 µg/mL was observed. HSP70 mRNA levels were up‐regulated two‐fold in cell cultures treated with Rhodiolife (10 µg/mL), and expression was further enhanced by exposure to H₂O₂ (six‐fold, p