Carnosol
Also known as: Carnosol
Overview
Carnosol is a naturally occurring phenolic diterpene found predominantly in extracts of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and sage (Salvia officinalis). It is classified as a bioactive phytochemical and is recognized for its potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and potential anti-cancer properties. Research into carnosol primarily focuses on its ability to modulate cellular signaling pathways involved in inflammation, oxidative stress, and tumor growth. While numerous in vitro and animal studies highlight its therapeutic potential, direct human clinical trials on isolated carnosol are limited. Much of the human-relevant evidence is extrapolated from studies on related compounds like carnosine and beta-alanine, or from broader rosemary extract research, suggesting potential benefits in metabolic regulation and protection against chronic diseases.
Benefits
Carnosol has demonstrated promising anti-cancer activity in preclinical studies by modulating pathways involved in tumor growth and inflammation. Its strong antioxidant activity helps protect cells from oxidative stress, potentially reducing the risk of chronic diseases. While direct human evidence for carnosol is limited, systematic reviews and meta-analyses on related compounds, such as carnosine and beta-alanine, have shown statistically significant improvements in markers of glycemic control and insulin resistance, including reductions in fasting glucose and HbA1c. This suggests a potential for carnosol to offer similar metabolic benefits, particularly for individuals with metabolic syndrome or diabetes-related conditions. The effects on glycemic markers observed with related compounds typically manifest over weeks to months of supplementation.
How it works
Carnosol exerts its effects primarily through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It acts as an antioxidant by scavenging reactive oxygen species and modulating redox-sensitive signaling pathways within cells. Furthermore, carnosol inhibits pro-inflammatory transcription factors, such as NF-κB, and modulates enzymes involved in carcinogenesis, including COX-2. These actions collectively influence the immune response, reduce cellular oxidative stress, and regulate metabolic pathways. In cancer cells, it has been shown to affect pathways involved in apoptosis and cell cycle regulation. As a lipophilic diterpene, carnosol's absorption is likely enhanced by dietary fats, though detailed human pharmacokinetic data are currently limited.
Side effects
The overall safety profile of isolated carnosol is not well-documented, as most consumption occurs through dietary herbs like rosemary and sage, which are generally considered safe at typical food levels. No significant adverse effects have been reported in high-quality studies specifically on isolated carnosol. However, due to its potential to modulate inflammatory pathways, there is a theoretical concern for interactions with anti-inflammatory or anticoagulant medications, though specific data are lacking. Contraindications have not been established, but caution is advised for pregnant or lactating women, and children, due to insufficient research. Individuals with bleeding disorders should also exercise caution. High-dose or isolated carnosol supplement safety data are limited, and maximum safe doses are undefined.
Dosage
There is no established minimum effective dose or optimal dosage range for isolated carnosol due to a lack of direct human clinical trials. Carnosol is typically consumed as a component of rosemary or sage extracts, where its concentration can vary significantly. Isolated carnosol supplements are uncommon. The maximum safe dose has not been defined, and safety margins are unknown. No specific timing considerations for intake have been identified. Due to its lipophilic nature, absorption of carnosol may be enhanced when consumed with dietary fats. No specific cofactors are known to be required for its efficacy.
FAQs
Is carnosol the same as carnosine?
No, carnosol is a phenolic diterpene found in herbs like rosemary, while carnosine is a dipeptide found in muscle tissue. Both have antioxidant properties but are chemically and functionally distinct.
Can carnosol help with diabetes?
Direct human evidence for carnosol's effect on diabetes is lacking. However, related compounds like carnosine and beta-alanine have shown promise in improving glycemic control in human studies, suggesting potential indirect benefits.
Is it safe to take carnosol supplements?
Safety data for isolated carnosol supplements are limited. Consuming carnosol as part of rosemary or sage in food amounts is generally considered safe, but high-dose supplementation lacks sufficient research.
How long does it take to see benefits from carnosol?
The time course for benefits from isolated carnosol is unknown. For related compounds like carnosine and beta-alanine, effects on metabolic markers have been observed over weeks to months of consistent supplementation.
Research Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3070765/ – This review article summarizes preclinical findings on carnosol, highlighting its anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects observed in in vitro and animal models. It details carnosol's mechanisms of action, including its antioxidant properties and modulation of inflammatory pathways, but notes the absence of human clinical trials at the time of publication.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34333586/ – This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the effects of carnosine and beta-alanine supplementation on glycemic control. It found statistically significant reductions in fasting glucose and HbA1c in both human and rodent studies, suggesting potential metabolic benefits for related compounds, which may indirectly inform carnosol's potential.
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2020.00913/full – This systematic review and meta-analysis focused on beta-alanine supplementation, demonstrating a large effect size on increasing muscle carnosine levels. While not directly about carnosol, it provides context for the efficacy and mechanisms of related compounds in the same biochemical family.
