Genus Rosas : A Review of Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry and Traditional Aspects According to Islamic Traditional Medicine (ITM)

Chemical diversity, traditional uses, and bioactivities of Rosa roxburghii Tratt: A comprehensive review

Rosa roxburghii Tratt (RRT), known as chestnut rose, has been a subject of growing interest because of its diverse chemical composition and wide range of traditional uses. This comprehensive review aimed to thoroughly examine RRT, including its traditional applications, chemical diversity, and various bioactivities. The chemical profile of this plant is characterized by the presence of essential nutrients such as vitamin C (ascorbic acid), flavonoids, triterpenes, organic acids, tannins, phenolic compounds, polysaccharides, carotenoids, triterpenoids, volatile compounds, amino acids, and essential oils. These constituents contribute to the medicinal and nutritional value. Additionally, we explore the multifaceted bioactivities of RRT, including its potential as an anticancer agent, antioxidant, antiaging agent, antiatherogenic agent, hypoglycemic agent, immunoregulatory modulator, radioprotective agent, antimutagenic agent, digestive system regulator, anti-inflammatory agent, cardioprotective agent, and antibacterial agent, and its intriguing role in modulating the gut microbiota. Furthermore, we discuss the geographical distribution and genetic diversity of this plant species and shed light on its ecological significance. This comprehensive review provides a holistic understanding of RRT, bridges traditional knowledge with contemporary scientific research, and highlights its potential applications in medicine, nutrition, and pharmacology.

Association between dietary carotenoids intake and chronic constipation in American men and women adults: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Dietary carotenoids have been proven to improve intestinal disorders like inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer, yet little is known about the link between dietary carotenoids and constipation. This study aims to examine the relationship between dietary carotenoids intake and constipation, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2010.

METHODS

A total of 11,722 participants were enrolled. Chronic constipation was defined as type 1 (separate hard lumps, like nuts) and type 2 (sausage-like, but lumpy) in the Bristol stool form scale (BSFS). Carotenoids intake was obtained from the average of two 24-hour dietary recall questionnaires (if only one 24-hour was available, we used it) and divided into quartiles (Q). The prevalence of constipation was calculated across men and women individuals. The relationship between dietary carotenoids intake and constipation in men and women was assessed with weighted logistic regression and smoothed curve fitting after adjusting confounders, with results displayed as weighted odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). The model was further stratified by age, race, and HEI 2015 scores (with median as cutoff) among men and women.

RESULTS

The total weighted prevalence of chronic constipation in this study was 8.08%, 11.11% in women and 5.18% in men. After multivariable adjustment, compared with the lowest intake, participants with the highest dietary lycopene intake (ORQ4 vs. Q1= 0.55, 95% CI: 0.36-0.84, p for trend = 0.01) and total lycopene intake (ORQ4 vs. Q1 = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.34-0.80, p for trend = 0.01) were negatively associated with the risk of chronic constipation in men, whereas increased dietary α-carotene intake reduced the risk of chronic constipation in women (ORQ4 vs. Q1 = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.48-0.98, p for trend = 0.04). Smoothing curve fitting further supported these results and provided evidence of dose-response effects. No association was found between other types of carotenoids and chronic constipation in men and women.

CONCLUSIONS

Increasing lycopene intake may improve bowel function in men while increased α-carotene intake may reduce the risk of chronic constipation in women. Further studies are essential to explore the role that the intake of carotenoids plays in chronic constipation.

Comparative analysis of the chloroplast genomes of Rosa species and RNA editing analysis

BACKGROUND

The genus Rosa (Rosaceae) contains approximately 200 species, most of which have high ecological and economic values. Chloroplast genome sequences are important for studying species differentiation, phylogeny, and RNA editing.

RESULTS

In this study, the chloroplast genomes of three Rosa species, Rosa hybrida, Rosa acicularis, and Rosa rubiginosa, were assembled and compared with other reported Rosa chloroplast genomes. To investigate the RNA editing sites in R. hybrida (commercial rose cultivar), we mapped RNA-sequencing data to the chloroplast genome and analyzed their post-transcriptional features. Rosa chloroplast genomes presented a quadripartite structure and had highly conserved gene order and gene content. We identified four mutation hotspots (ycf3-trnS, trnT-trnL, psbE-petL, and ycf1) as candidate molecular markers for differentiation in the Rosa species. Additionally, 22 chloroplast genomic fragments with a total length of 6,192 bp and > 90% sequence similarity with their counterparts were identified in the mitochondrial genome, representing 3.96% of the chloroplast genome. Phylogenetic analysis including all sections and all subgenera revealed that the earliest divergence in the chloroplast phylogeny roughly distinguished species of sections Pimpinellifoliae and Rosa and subgenera Hulthemia. Moreover, DNA- and RNA-sequencing data revealed 19 RNA editing sites, including three synonymous and 16 nonsynonymous, in the chloroplast genome of R. hybrida that were distributed among 13 genes.

CONCLUSIONS

The genome structure and gene content of Rosa chloroplast genomes are similar across various species. Phylogenetic analysis based on the Rosa chloroplast genomes has high resolution. Additionally, a total of 19 RNA editing sites were validated by RNA-Seq mapping in R. hybrida. The results provide valuable information for RNA editing and evolutionary studies of Rosa and a basis for further studies on genomic breeding of Rosa species.

Subcritical Extracts from Major Species of Oil-Bearing Roses-A Comparative Chemical Profiling

A comprehensive chemical profiling of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (freon R134a) subcritical extracts from the main genotypes of oil-bearing roses, was performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID) in order to reveal the differences in their chemical composition. One hundred and three individual compounds were identified using GC/MS and their quantitative content was determined using GC-FID, representing 89.8, 92.5, 89.7 and 93.7% of the total content of Rosa gallica L., Rosa damascena Mill., Rosa alba L. and Rosa centifolia L. extracts, respectively. The compounds found in the extracts are representatives of the following main chemical classes: mono-, sesqui- and triterpenoids, phenylethanoids and phenylpropanoids and aliphatic hydrocarbons. Fatty acids, esters and waxes were found, as well. The study revealed that 2-phenylethanol is the most abundant component, ranging 9.0-60.9% followed by nonadecane and nonadecene with 5.1-18.0% geraniol (2.9-14.4%), heneicosane (3.1-11.8%), tricosane (0.1-8.6%), nerol (1.3-6.1%) and citronellol (1.7-5.3%). The extracts demonstrate a specific chemical profile, depending on the botanical species-phenylethanoids and phenyl propanoids are the main group for R. damascena, aliphatic hydrocarbons for R. alba and R. centifolia, while both are found in almost equal amounts in R. gallica. The terpenoid compounds show relatively broad variations: monoterpenes-11.9-25.5% with maximum in R. centifolia; sesquiterpenes-0.6-7.0% with maximum in R. gallica and triterpenes-0.4-3.7% with maximum in R. gallica extract.