The role of Rosa damascena Mill. on acute hypoxia

In the Rosaceae family, Rosa damascene Mill. is an important medicinal plant. Studies reported its antioxidant, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective effects that may be related to the anti-hypoxic activity. So, we investigated the anti-hypoxic effects of R. damascenaare in this study to evaluate the possible mechanism of plant effectiveness in cardiovascular and neurological disease.

The R. damascenaare flowers were extracted with methanol by maceration method and anti-hypoxic activities were evaluated in haemic, asphyctic, and circulatory models.

In asphyctic hypoxia, extract at 250 mg/kg increased the survival time to 21.53±1.21 minutes, which was significantly lower (P<0.0001) than phenytoin (29.60±1.34 minutes). In haemic hypoxia, extract effects were similar to propranolol (P>0.05) at 125, and 250 mg/kg (15.85±0.69 and 16.19±1.71 vs. 16.44±1.39 minutes, P>0.05). In circulatory hypoxia, extract significantly increased the survival time at 250 mg/kg compared to the negative control (13.64±1.51 vs. 9.79±0.56 minutes, P<0.01) but its effect was weaker than propranolol (16.44±1.39 minutes).

R. damascenaare show potent anti-hypoxic activity in the haemic model. Its effects were significant in higher doses in asphyctic and circulatory models.