Salidroside is a primary bioactive compound found in Rhodiola rosea, an adaptogenic herb traditionally used in Eastern European and Asian medicine. Modern scientific research has increasingly focused on its potential to support the adrenal glands and mitigate stress-related fatigue. The adrenal glands produce hormones such as cortisol in response to stress, and chronic stress can lead to adrenal dysregulation or "adrenal fatigue" (though this is not a formally recognized medical diagnosis).

Several preclinical and a limited number of human studies suggest that salidroside, through adaptogenic effects, can modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Animal studies indicate that salidroside helps regulate cortisol production and reduces stress-induced damage to adrenal tissue. A few small clinical trials with Rhodiola rosea extracts (which contain salidroside) have shown reductions in fatigue and improvements in stress resilience, which may indirectly support adrenal gland function.

However, while the evidence is promising and there is a mechanistic basis for the use of salidroside in supporting adrenal health, robust, large-scale human trials specifically isolating salidroside's effects on adrenal function are lacking. Most human data are based on whole herb extracts rather than purified salidroside. Thus, scientific support exists but is moderate and not definitive.