[1] Rosavin production is specific to R. rosea and R. sachalinenis,[2] and the biosynthesis of these glycosides occurs spontaneously in Rhodiola roots and rhizomes.

[4] Cinnamyl alcohol glycosides are products of phenylpropanoid metabolism, derived from phenylalanine, which is produced from the shikimic-chorismic acid pathway.

In the first step of rosavin synthesis, PAL converts phenylalanine to cinnamic acid.

[4] From cinnamic acid, cinnamyl-CoA ester is formed through hydroxycinnamate: CoA ligase (4CL).

[1] Extracts used in most clinical trials are standardized to a minimum of 3% cinnamyl alcohol glycosides and 0.8–1.0% salidroside, as the naturally occurring ratio of these compounds in the plant rhizomes is approximately 3:1.