Phytochemical Analysis and Therapeutic Applications of Rosa Damascena
Summary
Rosa damascena, commonly known as the Damask rose, has long been prized for its aromatic essential oil and multifaceted therapeutic potential. Phytochemical investigations have revealed a complex profile dominated by monoterpenoids such as citronellol, geraniol and nerol, alongside diverse phenolic constituents including flavonoids, tannins and anthocyanins. Analytical techniques ranging from gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to Fourier‐transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and ambient ionisation methods enable precise characterisation of these bioactive metabolites. Such detailed profiling underpins quality control and authenticity assurance, ensuring consistency in both fragrance and bioefficacy. Bioactivity assays demonstrate pronounced antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, attributed to radical scavenging and inhibition of pro-inflammatory enzymes. Antimicrobial studies indicate efficacy against a range of pathogens, while emerging research suggests complementary roles in neuroprotection, antimycobacterial therapy and modulation of lipid-metabolising enzymes. The global cultivation of R. damascena in regions from Bulgaria and Turkey to Iran and India underlines its economic importance and drives innovations in sustainable extraction and formulation. Interdisciplinary efforts now focus on linking chemotypic diversity to specific therapeutic endpoints, fostering evidence-based applications in cosmetics, nutraceuticals and pharmaceutical products.
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Research from all publishers
Analyses of essential oils from Bulgarian Damask rose cultivars by gas chromatography (GC-FID/MS) have demonstrated significant antimycobacterial activity against diverse Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains, with minimal inhibitory concentrations correlating to the combined levels of geraniol and nerol. This work highlights the potential for rose oil components to complement existing anti-TB regimens. In parallel, advances in authenticity control employ dielectric barrier discharge ionisation mass spectrometry (DBDI-MS) coupled with FT-IR in chemometric models, achieving classification accuracies above 90 % and offering a rapid, high-throughput alternative to conventional GC-FID methods. A comprehensive review of rose essential oils and hydrophilic extracts emphasises their phenolic and terpene content and details a spectrum of therapeutic actions—from mucolytic and decongestant effects to modulation of inflammatory mediators—underscoring long-standing traditional uses across Europe and the Middle East.
Phytochemical Analysis and Therapeutic Applications of Rosa Damascena publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in phytochemical analysis and therapeutic applications of rosa damascena across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Monoterpenes: Volatile hydrocarbons comprising two isoprene units, responsible for the characteristic aroma and many bioactivities of essential oils.
Phenolics: Secondary metabolites featuring one or more hydroxylated aromatic rings, notable for antioxidant and enzyme-modulating properties.
GC-MS: An analytical technique combining gas chromatography separation with mass spectrometry detection to identify volatile compounds.
DBDI-MS: An ambient ionisation mass spectrometry method using dielectric barrier discharge to ionise samples directly for rapid metabolite profiling.
Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC): The lowest concentration of a substance required to prevent visible growth of a microorganism in vitro.
References
- Antimycobacterial Activity of Essential Oils from Bulgarian Rosa Species Against Phylogenomically Different Mycobacterium tuberculosis Strains. Pharmaceutics (2024).
- Exploring new dimensions: Single and multi-block analysis of essential oils using DBDI-MS and FT-IR for enhanced authenticity control. Analytica Chimica Acta (2023).
- Rose Flowers—A Delicate Perfume or a Natural Healer?. Biomolecules (2021).
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