A rose (Rosa damascena) is a woody perennial plant of the genus Rosa within the family Rosaceae. The leaves of the plant are alternate to each other on the stem. Best known for its ornamental values, most of the rose plants are deciduous except a few from the South East Asia that are evergreen. The aggregate fruit of the rose is a pot-like structure containing the seeds in it called the rose hip. The sharp objects along the stem of a rose plant are outgrowths of the epidermis called as prickles. The flowers to prepare a drink which acts as an energy stimulant, blood tonic and also works in case of digestive irregularities. The extract of rose plant especially act as an antidepressant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, antiinflammatory, digestive stimulant, kidney tonic and menstrual regulator. The maximum DPPH˙ radical and superoxide (O2˙-) radical scavenging activities of fresh rose petals aqueous extract were 52.84±0.20% and 89.36±0.31% at 120 µg/mL concentration. The IC50 values of DPPH˙ radical and superoxide (O2˙-) radical scavenging activities were 113.55 µg/mL and 40.62 µg/mL concentration respectively. The maximum Mo6+ reduction and Fe3+ reduction of fresh rose petals aqueous extract were 82.52±0.13% and 81.54±0.42% at 120 µg/mL concentration and the RC50 values of Mo6+ reduction and Fe3+ reduction were 46.67 µg/mL 32.25 µg/mL concentration respectively. The fresh aqueous extract of Rosa damascena possessed active molecules such as E,E-6,8-Tridecadien-2-ol, acetate, 8-Carbethoxy-1-methyl-1,4,5,6,7,8-hexahydropyrrolo [2,3-b]azepin-4-one-3-carboxylic acid and 9-Octadecynoic acid, methyl ester exhibiting antioxidant, antimicrobial activities.
Keywords: Rosa damascena, Antioxidant, Free radical, DPPH˙, Antibacterial activity, GC-MS
