Planta Med 2007; 73 - P_068
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-986850

In vitro COX-1, COX-2 and 5-LOX inhibitory activity of rose hips (Rosae pseudofructus sine fructibus)

EM Wenzig 1, U Widowitz 1, O Kunert 2, R Bauer 1, S Chrubasik 3
  • 1Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dept. Pharmacognosy, University of Graz, Universitaetsplatz 4, 8010 Graz, Austria
  • 2Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dept. Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Graz, Universitaetsplatz 1, 8010 Graz, Austria
  • 3Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Freiburg i.Br., Albertstr.9, 79104 Freiburg i.Br., Germany

Rose hip with or without fruits (Rosae pseudofructus cum/sine fructibus, Rosa canina L., Rosaceae) is traditionally used for the prevention and therapy of common cold and other infections, as a diuretic agent, for the treatment of gout and rheumatic diseases and as a vitamin C source. For none of these indications clinical evidence of effectiveness has been demonstrated except for osteoarthritis: A proprietary rose hip and seed powder had moderate evidence of effectiveness in alleviating osteoarthritic complaints [1]. Little is known about the rose hip mechanism of action and active constituents. Aim of this study was to get information on the constituents responsible for the anti-inflammatory potential of rose hip peel.

The rose hip fine powder (batch 119372, supplier Martin Bauer GmbH & Co. KG, Germany) was subsequently extracted with hexane, dichloromethane, methanol and water. The extracts were screened for in vitro inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1, COX-2 and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), three key enzymes of the arachidonic acid metabolism, which play an important role in inflammatory processes [2,3]. While the aqueous and the methanolic extract turned out to be inactive, the hexane and the dichloromethane extract showed to possess inhibitory activity against all three enzymes. Phytochemical analysis of the lipophilic extracts revealed the presence of triterpene acids (ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, betulinic acid) along with fatty acids and glycolipids. One of these glycolipids from rose hip has already been described as a chemotaxis inhibitor in human neutrophils [4], and the triterpene acids are known to possess COX- and LOX- inhibitory potential [5].

Our results confirm that rose hip peels contain an anti-inflammatory principle. It remains to be established to what extent individual constituents contribute to the overall anti-inflammatory effect.

References: [1] Chrubasik, C. et al. (2006) Phytother. Res. 20: 1–3. [2] Fiebich, B.L. et al. (2005) Planta Med. 71: 12–19. [3] Adams, M. et al. (2004) Planta Med. 70: 904–908. [4] Larsen, E. et al. (2003). J. Nat. Prod. 66, 994.995. [5] Diaz, AM et al. (2000) Biol. Pharm. Bull. 11, 1307–1313.