In Vitro Bioaccessibility of Bioactive Compounds from Rosehip-Enriched Corn Extrudates.

The rosehip (Rosa canina L.) fruit has gained researchers' attention due to its rich chemical composition in vitamin C, phenols, carotenoids, and high antioxidant activity; meanwhile, polymers such as pea protein are generally recognized as exhibiting a protection role against the extrusion process. Corn snacks extrudates obtained by replacing corn flour with 10% R. canina powder (R) and 10% R. canina with pea protein (RPP) were evaluated for the physicochemical, textural, optical, and nutritional characteristics. A sample manufactured without R. canina powder was used as a control. Hardness, crispiness, chewiness, and solubility index (WSI) of the final extrudates were improved by addition of R. canina and pea protein powder (PP); meanwhile, b* (yellow/blue coordinate), C (chroma), and h* (tone) optical parameters were significantly different from the control sample (p < 0.05). Extrusion highlighted a negative impact on total phenols, carotenoids, vitamin C, and antioxidant activity extrudates, while PP exhibited a good protection against the extrusion process. In vitro digestion increased the bioaccessibility of vitamin C, folate, antioxidant activity, total phenols, and total carotenoids mainly on RPP extrudates.

Effects of Inhalation Aromatherapy With Rosa damascena (Damask Rose) on the State Anxiety and Sleep Quality of Operating Room Personnel During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: Although aromatherapy with damask rose can reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality in different conditions, no study has yet addressed its effects among operating room (OR) personnel. Considering the high level of workload among Iranian OR personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic which can affect their anxiety and sleep quality, this study evaluated the effects of damask rose aromatherapy on state anxiety and sleep quality among a population of Iranian OR personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN: A randomized, nonblinded, parallel-group controlled trial. METHODS: Eighty OR personnel were divided into the two groups of damask rose and placebo (paraffin oil) using the stratified randomization method. In the first aromatherapy session, the participants inhaled two drops of either damask rose oil or paraffin oil for 10 minutes at the beginning of their morning shift. Then, they attached an absorbent cloth napkin impregnated with 5 drops of products to the side of their pillow for 30 consecutive nights. The Spielberger state anxiety inventory (SAI) and the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) were completed before random allocation (T1) and on the 31st day of the study (T3). Also, the SAI was completed 90 minutes after the end of the first aromatherapy session (T2). FINDINGS: The mean changes in the SAI score were significant compared to T1 both at T2 and T3 in favor of the damask rose group (P < .001 in two cases). Similarly, the mean change in PSQI score was significant compared to T1 at T3 in favor of the damask rose group (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Damask rose can be effective in reducing state anxiety and improving sleep quality of OR personnel. Further studies are needed to determine the generalizability of the findings.

Rugosic acid A, derived from Rosa rugosa Thunb., is novel inhibitory agent for NF-κB and IL-6/STAT3 axis in acute lung injury model.

Rosa rugosa Thunb., is as a medicinal plant known for anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory activities. However, the specific active compounds responsible for the individual pharmacological effects of in R. rugosa extract (95% EtOH) remain unknown. Here, we hypothesized that terpenoid structure, the most abundant constituents in R. rugosa extract, are responsible for its anti-inflammatory activity. We investigated the phytochemical substituents (compounds 1-13) and newly purified 11-methoxy polisin A, and 13-methoxy bisaborosaol F using NMR and ESI-MS and to screened their effects on NO production in LPS-induced macrophages. Rugosic acid A (RA) induced to ameliorate NO production, iNOS, and pro-inflammatory cytokines associated with the NF-κB. And, RA suppressed IL-6 secretion and IL-6-mediated STAT3 activation in LPS-mediated inflammation. In addition, RA was evaluated in LPS-mediated acute lung injury (ALI) model similar to acute pneumonia. Our results suggested that RA was suppressed to translocate nuclear NF-κB and IL-6-mediated STAT3 activation. Finally, RA led to amelioration of ALI by decreasing myeloperoxidase (MPO) and inhibiting phosphorylation of NF-κB and STAT3. Our group originally found that R. rugosa extract had new methoxy compounds and RA may be alternative natural agent for acute pneumonia similar to severe acute respiratory syndrome by coronavirus.