Salidroside, a bioactive compound extracted from Rhodiola rosea, has been investigated for its neuroprotective and adaptogenic properties. Traditionally, Rhodiola rosea has been used in Russian and traditional Chinese medicine to alleviate fatigue, enhance mental performance, and reduce symptoms related to stress and mood disturbances, which are relevant to neurosis-like symptoms. Scientifically, preclinical studies have shown that salidroside can modulate neurotransmitter levels (such as serotonin and dopamine), reduce oxidative stress, and inhibit neuroinflammation in animal models of stress and depression. Some studies also suggest that salidroside can improve behavioral outcomes in models of anxiety and depression, which are components often associated with neurosis.

However, high-quality clinical trials specifically evaluating salidroside or Rhodiola rosea for neurosis as a diagnostic category are lacking. Most available human studies focus on stress, fatigue, and mild to moderate depression, rather than the broader, outdated diagnosis of neurosis. The evidence, therefore, is suggestive but not conclusive, and the use of salidroside for neurosis is supported more by animal studies and traditional use rather than robust clinical trials. Thus, the scientific evidence is moderate at best, meriting a rating of 2 on the evidence scale.