Evaluation of antidepressant effect of ethanolic extract of Rosa damascena using forced swimming test

Objective: Rosa damascena mill L (R. damascena) is a medicinal plant mostly known in the world for its perfume. It also has beneficial effects on stress, tension and depression. In this experiment antidepressant effect of ethanolic extract of R. damascena by forced swimming test (FST) was evaluated. Material and Methods: Animals received ethanolic extract (15, 60 and 90 mg/kg, i.p), imipramine (15mg/kg, i.p; positive control), or saline (negative control). Thirty min post- injection, immobility and swimming times were measured and compared in the different studied groups. Results: Intraperitoneal injection of lower concentration of extract (15 mg/kg) did not change swimming and immobility times compared to the control group. The higher concentrations of extract (60 and 90 mg/kg) significantly increased immobility time and decreased swimming time. Therefore ethanolic extract at tested doses had no antidepressant effect in this study. Conclusion: Although ethanolic extract did not have antidepressant effect, we cannot rule out this effect altogether. In our opinion, antidepressant effect is masked by CNS depression effect of ethanolic extract of R. damascena

Antidepressant-like effect of aqueous extract from Rosa damascena in mice

Objective: Rosa damascena mill L (R. damascena) is an ornamental plant that has several therapeutic (such as sedative and hypnotic) effects. It also heals depression, grief, nervous stress and tension. In the present study we evaluated antidepressant-like effect of R. damascena using forced swimming test (FST). Material and Methods: Three doses of aqueous extract (15, 60 and 90 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally. After 30 min of injection, immobility and swimming times were measured and compared with control (negative control) and imipramine (positive control). Results: The results showed that low dose (15mg/kg) of extract significantly increased swimming time and decreased immobility time. However, the two high doses of extract (60 and 90mg/kg) had no significant effect on these parameters.  Conclusion: These results proposed antidepressant-like effect of low concentration of aqueous extract of R. damascena.

Effect of aqueous fraction of Rosa damascena on ileum contractile response of guinea pigs

Objective: The use of drugs with herbal origin is increasing for treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. Rosa damascena (R. damascena) is a well-known plant suggested to have beneficial effect on GI system. In this study, the effect of aqueous fraction of R. damascena on the contractionsofisolated guinea pig ileum was investigated. Materials and Methods: Aqueous fraction of plant was obtained from ethanolic extract after ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions were discarded. To evaluate effect of this fraction on ileum contraction, guinea pig ileum was removed and mounted on organ bath and its contraction was recorded. Effect of various concentrations (0.66, 0.83, and 1.3 mg/ml) of aqueous fraction on ileum contraction in comparison with Ach in presence and absense of atropine, a muscarinic antagonist of cholinergic, was evaluated. The response of ileum to 1 µg/ml of acetylcholine was considered as 100% response. Results:Our results showed that aqueous fractions of R. damascena dose-dependently increased basal guinea pigs ileum contractions (pConclusion: It is concluded that aqueous fraction of R. damascena has mild excitatory effect on ileum contraction and this fraction may be beneficial as a mild laxative agent