Efficacy of the herbal formula of Foeniculum vulgare and Rosa damascena on elderly patients with functional constipation: A double-blind randomized controlled trial / 中西医结合学报

BACKGROUND@#Constipation is a common chronic bowel disorder with an incidence of more than 50% in the elderly population. Complementary and alternative medicine is a cost-effective and satisfactory treatment for constipation used widely by the elderly.@*OBJECTIVE@#This study evaluates the efficacy of an herbal formula made from Foeniculum vulgare Mill. and Rosa damascena for the treatment of constipation in an elderly population and consequent changes to their quality of life.@*DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTION@#This double-blind randomized active controlled clinical trial, with parallel group allocation ratio of 1:1, was conducted in a referral clinic in Afzalipour Hospital, affiliated to Kerman University of Medical Sciences in Kerman, Southeastern Iran. Individuals over 60 years of age, diagnosed with functional constipation (based on the Rome IV criteria), were included in this study. Participants received a sachet of 10 g F. vulgare and R. damascena (herbal formula group) or polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG 4000 group) with a glass of warm water two times a day for 4 weeks and were followed up for 4 additional weeks.@*MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES@#Constipation severity, stool consistency, and the quality of life were used as the primary outcomes. Drug side effects were used as a secondary outcome. The outcomes were assessed using the Constipation Assessment Scale, the Bristol Stool Form Scale, and the Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life questionnaire.@*RESULTS@#A total of 25 participants in each group completed the four-week treatment cycle and the eight-week follow-up. At the end of the four-week treatment cycle, all clinical outcomes had significant improvements in both groups (P < 0.05). The analysis of constipation severity (P < 0.001), stool consistency (P < 0.001), and the quality of life (P < 0.001) showed significant improvements with fewer side effects (mild diarrhea) and a longer duration of symptom relief in the herbal formula group compared to the PEG 4000 group.@*CONCLUSION@#Although both interventions significantly improved the treatment outcomes, constipation severity, stool consistency and the quality of life were improved more effectively by the herbal formula than by PEG 4000; however, the mechanism of action is not yet understood.@*TRIAL REGISTRATION@#This trial was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCTID: IRCT20200108046056N1).

Antioxidation and active constituents analysis of flower residue of Rosa damascena / 中草药·英文版

Objective: To make full usage of resource and turn waste into treasure, the chemical constituents and bioactivity were firstly investigated on Damask rose (Rosa damascena) flower residue (DRFR). Methods: DPPH and ABTS experiments were applied to assess the antioxidant activity of DRFR. Then, column chromatography was used to purify compounds from an antioxidation extract (DRFR-A), and the chemical structure was identified using NMR. The total phenolic acid content was measured by Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric method, and the content of gallic acid of the indicator ingredient was detected by HPLC. Results: DRFR-A was found to show a high activity both on DPPH (IC50: 2.760 µg/mL) and ABTS (IC50: 2.258 µg/mL) compared to positive control VC. Ten compounds were isolated and identified as quercetin (1), kaempferol (2), gallic acid (3), protocatechuic acid (4), pyrogallic acid (5), 2-phenylethyl 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate (6), methyl gallate (7), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (8), p-hydroxyphenethyl alcohol (9) and astragalin (10) from DRFR-A. Among them, pyrogallic acid, 2-phenylethyl-3, 4, 5-trihydroxybenzoate, p-hydroxybenzoic acid and p-hydroxyphenethyl alcohol are obtained from the plant for the first time. The content of total phenolic acids and gallic acid, main ingredient in DRFR-A was determined as 63.73% and 24.67%, respectively. Conclusion: This study provides a reliable data and lays the foundation for the development and utilization of rose residue, and hence for the full utilization of rose resources.

A new isoflavone derivative from Rosa Damascena and its antibacterial activity / 中国中药杂志

A new isoflavone derivative was isolated from Rosa damascena by using various chromatographic techniques including silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and preparative RP-HPLC separation. Its structure was identified as 4'-hydroxy-7-(3-hydroxypropanoyl)-6-methoxy-isoflavone using combined examinations of their UV, IR, MS, and NMR spectroscopic data. Biological activity test showed that this compound showed prominent antibacterial activity with MIC₉₀ value of (46±4) mg·L⁻¹ for methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) strain. This value is close to that of levofloxacin [with MIC₉₀ value (53±5) mg·L⁻¹].

Effects of aromatherapy with Rosa damascena on nulliparous women's pain and anxiety of labor during first stage of labor / 中西医结合学报

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Reducing labor pain and anxiety is one of the most important goals of maternity care.</p><p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>This study aimed to assess the effects of aromatherapy with Rosa damascena on pain and anxiety in the first stage of labor among nulliparous women.</p><p><b>DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS</b>This was a randomized clinical trial of 110 nulliparous women. The eligible participants were randomly assigned to two groups of aromatherapy and control in an Iranian maternity hospital. The participants received 0.08 mL of Rosa damascena essence in the aromatherapy group and 0.08 mL of normal saline in the control group, every 30 min. Pain was measured 3 times, once each at three stages of cervical dilation (4-5, 6-7, and 8-10 cm). Anxiety was measured twice, once each at two stages of cervical dilation (4-7 and 8-10 cm). The tools for data collection were the Spielberger anxiety questionnaire, numerical pain rating scale, demographic and obstetric questionnaire, and an observational checklist. Data analyses included the t-test, Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test.</p><p><b>MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES</b>Severity of labor pain and severity of anxiety were used as primary outcome measures. Labor and delivery characteristics (including number of contractions, duration of contractions in second stage, Bishop score, augmentation by oxytocin, Apgar score, and mode of delivery), demographic characteristics, and fertility information were used as secondary outcome measures.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Pain severity in the group receiving aromatherapy with R. damascena was significantly lower than in the control group after treatment at each pain assessment (cervical dilation of 4-5, 6-7, and 8-10 cm; P < 0.05). Anxiety levels were also significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group after treatment at each time of measurement (cervical dilation of 4-7 and 8-10 cm; P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Aromatherapy with R. damascena reduced the severity of pain and anxiety in the first stage of labor. Aromatherapy with R. damascena is a convenient and effective method for pain and anxiety reduction during the first stage of labor.</p><p><b>TRIAL REGISTRATION</b>Iranian Registry of Clinical Trial: IRCT201306258801N3.</p>

In vitro Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of selected Moroccan medicinal plants.

The aim of the present study was to examine the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of three Moroccan ethno medicinally important plants. The antioxidant activity was performed using β-Carotene bleaching assay, DPPH, ABTS and Ferric reducing assays. In vitro anti-inflammatory assays was also studied through the evaluation of membrane stabilization potential and inhibition of protein denaturation. Results revealed that Lawsonia inermis L leaves extract had significantly higher phenolics-content (5.23 g GAE/100g DW) and exhibited the highest antioxidant activity based on DPPH (IC50 = 18.26 μg/mL). The highest flavonoids content was found in Rosa damascena. L flower (3.97 RE/100g DW) which shows the highest antioxidant activity based on ABTS (30.39 mmol TE/100g DW), FRAP (38.54 mmol TE/100gDW) and β-Carotene bleaching assay (IC50 = 56.33 μg/mL). Concerning the anti-inflammatory potency, the highest membrane stabilization effect was found in Rosa damascena. L flower (IC50 = 125.02 μg/mL) and the highest anti-denaturation of protein effect was found in Lawsonia inermis L leaves extract (IC50 = 103.21 μg/mL). Consequently, to conclude flavonoids and related phenolics present in studied plant materials may possibly be responsible for the important anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities.

Rapid synthesis of biocompatible silver nanoparticles using aqueous extract of Rosa damascena petals and evaluation of their anticancer activity

Objective: To optimize the process parameters involved in the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (G-SNPs) by aqueous extract of Rosa damascena petals and to evaluate the biocompatibility and anti cancer activity of the synthesized silver nanoparticles against human lung adenocarcinoma (A549). Methods: The process variables that include concentration of extract, mixing ratio of reactants, silver salt concentration and interaction time were analyzed. The compatibility of the G-SNPs was verified by incubating with erythrocytes and the anticancer property of the G-SNPs against A549 cells was performed by MTT assay. Results: Formation of G-SNPs was confirmed by the visual change in the colour of the reaction mixture from pale yellow to brown yellow. Surface plasmon resonance of synthesized G-SNPs was observed at 420 nm; the size of G-SNPs were analyzed by DLS and found to be in the range of (84.00±10.08) nm. Field emission scanning electron microscope and high resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis confirmed that the G-SNPs were fairly spherical. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction revealed the characteristic peaks of G-SNPs. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis showed a signal of silver around 3 keV. The synthesized G-SNPs exhibited anticancer activity as evidenced by the MTT assay. IC

Rapid synthesis of biocompatible silver nanoparticles using aqueous extract of Rosa damascena petals and evaluation of their anticancer activity

OBJECTIVE@#To optimize the process parameters involved in the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (G-SNPs) by aqueous extract of Rosa damascena petals and to evaluate the biocompatibility and anti cancer activity of the synthesized silver nanoparticles against human lung adenocarcinoma (A549).@*METHODS@#The process variables that include concentration of extract, mixing ratio of reactants, silver salt concentration and interaction time were analyzed. The compatibility of the G-SNPs was verified by incubating with erythrocytes and the anticancer property of the G-SNPs against A549 cells was performed by MTT assay.@*RESULTS@#Formation of G-SNPs was confirmed by the visual change in the colour of the reaction mixture from pale yellow to brown yellow. Surface plasmon resonance of synthesized G-SNPs was observed at 420 nm; the size of G-SNPs were analyzed by DLS and found to be in the range of (84.00±10.08) nm. Field emission scanning electron microscope and high resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis confirmed that the G-SNPs were fairly spherical. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction revealed the characteristic peaks of G-SNPs. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis showed a signal of silver around 3 keV. The synthesized G-SNPs exhibited anticancer activity as evidenced by the MTT assay. IC50 value of G-SNPs was found to be 80 μg/mL.@*CONCLUSION@#The results of the present study suggest that G-SNPs can be synthesized rapidly within first minute of the reaction; they are biocompatible and possess anticancer activity against human lung adenocarcinoma.