Introduction: A Shifting Landscape for Adaptogenic Ingredients

Rhodiola rosea has long been recognized as a valuable adaptogenic botanical in sports nutrition, functional foods, and anti-fatigue formulations. However, increasing regulatory scrutiny and endangered species permitting requirements are creating significant supply-chain and compliance challenges for manufacturers and distributors worldwide.

As global brands seek effective, scalable, and regulation-friendly alternatives, attention is turning to Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba) extract standardized for cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)—a naturally occurring bioactive compound with a well-documented role in cellular energy metabolism.

Backed by preclinical and human clinical studies, jujube cAMP extract offers a scientifically supported substitute for Rhodiola rosea—without endangered species restrictions.

Understanding the Biological Role of cAMP

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is often referred to as the “second messenger of life.” It plays a central role in:

• Cellular energy metabolism

• Oxygen utilization and hypoxia tolerance

• Stress response signaling

• Regulation of carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism

Comparison Table 1: Botanical & Regulatory Profile

Criteria	Rhodiola rosea	Jujube cAMP Extract (Ziziphus jujuba)
Botanical status	Alpine perennial herb	Cultivated fruit (food crop)
Regulatory risk	Increasing restrictions	Low regulatory risk
Endangered species permit	Often required (region-dependent)	Not required
Supply stability	Limited, wild-harvest dependent	Scalable agricultural supply
Sustainability concerns	High	Low
Global export complexity	Medium–High	Low
Suitable for long-term B2B contracts	Limited	Highly suitable

While cAMP exists in many organisms, Chinese jujube fruit contains uniquely high concentrations, documented to be tens of thousands of times higher than most other plant sources.

Sinofn’s jujube cAMP extract is produced using supercritical CO₂ extraction, yielding a stable, food-grade ingredient suitable for medical food, functional food, and performance nutrition applications.

Preclinical Evidence: Jujube cAMP vs. Rhodiola roseaForced Swimming Test (Anti-Fatigue Model)

In controlled animal studies, jujube cAMP extract was directly compared with Rhodiola rosea oral liquid as a positive control.

Comparison Table 2: Active Components & Mechanism

Feature	Rhodiola rosea	Jujube cAMP Extract
Primary actives	Salidroside, rosavins	Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)
Mechanism type	Adaptogenic stress modulation	Cellular signaling & energy metabolism
Role in fatigue resistance	Neuroendocrine modulation	Metabolic + mitochondrial regulation
Oxygen utilization support	Indirect	Direct (hypoxia tolerance)
Energy metabolism impact	Moderate	Strong, dose-dependent
Scientific novelty	Widely known	Distinct “second messenger” pathway

Key findings:

• Medium and high doses of jujube cAMP extract significantly prolonged swimming time

• Effects were dose-dependent

• Performance improvements were comparable to Rhodiola rosea

This indicates that jujube cAMP delivers functional anti-fatigue effects equivalent to a benchmark adaptogen.

Post-Exercise Biochemical Markers

After forced swimming, animals receiving jujube cAMP extract demonstrated:

• Significant reductions in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) indicating reduced protein catabolism and physical fatigue

• Lower blood lactate levels at higher doses suggesting delayed anaerobic fatigue

• Increased hepatic glycogen storage improved energy reserve and recovery capacity

Comparison Table 3: Preclinical Anti-Fatigue Performance

Parameter	Rhodiola rosea (Positive Control)	Jujube cAMP Extract
Forced swimming endurance	Significant improvement	Comparable or superior (dose-dependent)
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)	Reduced	Greater reduction vs Rhodiola
Blood lactate reduction	Moderate	Significant at higher doses
Hepatic glycogen storage	Increased	Significantly increased
Dose-response clarity	Moderate	Clear dose-response relationship

Notably, BUN reduction exceeded that of Rhodiola rosea, highlighting a potential advantage in recovery-focused formulations.

Human Clinical Evidence: Trained Athletes

A 42-day randomized controlled trial was conducted in collaboration with China’s national track and field system.

Study Design

• 60 elite athletes (ages 16–25)

• Jujube cAMP extract group vs. blank control

• Continued regular training during supplementation

Comparison Table 4: Human Clinical Outcomes (Athletes)

Clinical Marker	Rhodiola rosea	Jujube cAMP Extract
Blood oxygen saturation	Supported by literature	Clinically validated improvement
Hemoglobin stability	Reported	Clinically confirmed
Blood lactate	Reduced	Significantly reduced
Blood urea nitrogen	Reduced	Significantly reduced
Testosterone support	Limited data	Observed improvement
Subjective fatigue	Reduced	Reduced + faster recovery
Sleep quality	Occasionally reported	Consistently improved

Objective Improvements Observed

Athletes receiving jujube cAMP extract showed statistically significant improvements in:

• Blood oxygen saturation (SaO₂)

• Hemoglobin stability

• Reduced blood lactate

• Lower blood urea nitrogen

• Improved serum testosterone levels

Subjective Benefits Reported

• Improved sleep quality

• Reduced perceived fatigue

• Shortened recovery time between training sessions

These outcomes are highly relevant for sports nutrition, endurance support, altitude adaptation, and occupational fatigue markets.

Rhodiola rosea Supply Challenges: A Growing Industry Concern

While Rhodiola rosea remains effective, it presents increasing commercial challenges:

• Classified as an endangered or protected species in multiple regions

• Requires special permits and traceability documentation

• Limited cultivation scalability

• Rising costs and supply volatility

Comparison Table 5: B2B Commercial Suitability

Business Factor	Rhodiola rosea	Jujube cAMP Extract
Ingredient replacement potential	Baseline	Direct functional substitute
Compliance documentation burden	High	Low
Cost volatility	High	Stable
Custom standardization	Limited	Highly customizable
Suitable for medical foods	Region-limited	Yes
Long-term scalability	Constrained	Excellent

For international B2B buyers, these factors can slow product development, complicate exports, and increase regulatory risk.

Why Jujube cAMP Is a Strategic Alternative1. No Endangered Species Certification Required

Jujube is a widely cultivated, food-grade botanical with established agricultural supply chains.

2. Clinically Validated Functional Benefits

Unlike many botanical substitutes, jujube cAMP extract is supported by:

• Controlled animal studies

• Human clinical trials in trained populations

3. Comparable Performance to Rhodiola

Direct comparison data demonstrates similar anti-fatigue and anti-hypoxia effects—without regulatory barriers.

4. Versatile Formulation Potential

Suitable for:

• Medical foods

• Functional beverages

• Sports and endurance nutrition

• Anti-fatigue and recovery formulas

Positioning Jujube cAMP in B2B Product Development

For brands currently relying on Rhodiola rosea, jujube cAMP extract enables:

• Reformulation without loss of functional efficacy

• Expansion into markets with strict biodiversity regulations

• Long-term supply stability

• Strong scientific storytelling for customers and regulators

Regulatory Positioning (EU / Asia / Global)

Regulatory Positioning Overview

Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba) cAMP extract benefits from a significantly more favorable regulatory profile than Rhodiola rosea due to its long-standing classification as a food-origin botanical rather than a protected wild herb.

European Union (EU)

• Jujube fruit has a long history of food use in Europe and Asia

• Generally positioned as:

  • Food ingredient

  • Functional food ingredient

  • Medical food component (subject to formulation and claims)

• No endangered species restrictions

• No CITES-related documentation required

• cAMP occurs naturally in food matrices, reducing novel ingredient concerns when properly documented

Implication for B2B buyers:Lower compliance burden, faster product registration, and fewer import complications compared to Rhodiola-based ingredients.

Asia (China, Southeast Asia, Korea, Japan)

• Jujube is widely recognized as:

  • Food

  • Medicine–food homologous material (China)

• cAMP-rich jujube extracts are supported by:

  • Preclinical studies

  • Human clinical data in athletic and training populations

• No biodiversity or wild-harvest restrictions

Implication for B2B buyers:Well-aligned with regional regulatory frameworks for functional nutrition, sports nutrition, and medical foods.

Global / International Trade

• Jujube is agriculturally cultivated, ensuring:

  • Stable traceability

  • Sustainable sourcing

• No requirement for:

  • Endangered species certificates

  • Special export permits

• Reduced customs delays compared to Rhodiola-derived materials

Overall regulatory advantage: Jujube cAMP extract supports long-term global scalability, making it suitable for multinational product portfolios.

2️⃣ Product Category Mapping (B2B Application Guide) Product Category Mapping Table

Product Category	Relevance of Jujube cAMP Extract	Functional Role
Sports Nutrition	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Fatigue resistance, oxygen utilization, metabolic efficiency
Endurance & Training Support	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Reduced lactate accumulation, improved recovery
Altitude / Hypoxia Support	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	Enhanced oxygen saturation, hypoxia tolerance
Recovery Formulas	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Reduced BUN, glycogen replenishment
Medical Foods	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	Cellular energy support, stress adaptation
Occupational Fatigue (military, shift work)	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	Sustained performance under stress
Functional Beverages	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	Water-soluble, stable bioactive
Wellness & Vitality Products	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	Energy metabolism without stimulant positioning

Positioning note: Jujube cAMP extract aligns especially well with non-stimulant energy, recovery, and hypoxia-resilience formulations.

Conclusion: A Future-Ready Adaptogenic Solution

As global standards for sustainability and biodiversity protection continue to tighten, ingredient innovation must balance efficacy with compliance.

Jujube cAMP extract represents a next-generation adaptogenic ingredient—clinically supported, scalable, and regulation-friendly. For B2B customers seeking a reliable alternative to Rhodiola rosea, it offers both scientific credibility and commercial resilience.

Sinofn remains committed to advancing functional nutrition solutions rooted in natural, sustainable resources, supported by rigorous research and validated performance outcomes.

PRODUCT

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• JUJUBE CAMP #1POWDERPowder contains no phenylalanine for age over 10 years old. More info

• JUJUBE CAMP #2LIQUIDPowder contains no phenylalanine for age from 1 to 10 years old. More info
  
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Phone: 022-24928910
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City: Tianjin, 300308
Country: China
Website: https://www.sinofnhealth.com/