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.

Role of extracted phytochemicals from Rosa sterilis S. D. Shi in DSS-induced colitis mice: potential amelioration of UC

Rosa sterilis S. D. Shi is a new variety of R. roxburghii Tratt and its fruits are rich in bioactive components, but its effects and mechanisms against intestinal inflammation are currently unknown. In this study, the main components of the ethanol extract of R. sterilis S. D. Shi fruits (RSE) were identified and its anti-inflammatory efficacy in DSS-induced mice was evaluated. A total of nine compounds were identified, including 1-O-E-cinnamoyl-(6-arabinosylglucose), ellagic acid-O-rhamnoside, (epi) catechin, niga-ichigoside F1, etc. The results demonstrated that RSE ameliorated DSS-induced inflammation in mouse colon tissues by increasing mucin expression, reducing the production of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, inhibiting the mRNA expression of COX-2 and iNOS, regulating the composition of gut microbiota through suppressing Escherichia-Shigella while increasing Akkermansia muciniphila, and promoting the production of SCFAs, especially acetic acid. Briefly, RSE showed outstanding potential for anti-inflammatory activity and is expected to be a promising dietary supplement for healthy individuals to prevent or relieve colitis and colitis-related diseases, which provided a new direction for functional food development.

Quality analysis and geographical origin identification of Rosa roxburghii Tratt from three regions based on Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

The study aimed to provide new information of Rosa roxburghii Tratt (RRT) for the production of functional foods and distinguish the geographical origins of RRT. The nutritional components of RRT from three regions in China, such as vitamin C, polysaccharides, total flavonoids, and total phenolics, and their antioxidant activities were analyzed by one-way ANOVA. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) combined with principal component analysis (PCA), stepwise linear discriminant analysis (SLDA), k-nearest neighbor (k-NN), and support vector machine (SVM) were used to establish discriminant models to identify the geographical origin of RRT. The results of one-way ANOVA showed that the contents of some nutrients and antioxidant activity were significantly different among RRT from different regions and their FT-IR spectra also showed significant differences. The characteristic fingerprint bands of FT-IR (1679-1618 cm^-1and 1520-900 cm^-1) closely related to the geographical origins of RRT were screened out. Based on SLDA, a discriminant model was established to realize the classification and identification of RRT from different regions and the correct discrimination rate of the testing sample set obtained with the established model reached 100 %. Geographical factors caused the obvious differences in nutritional components and antioxidant activity in RRT. The characteristic fingerprint bands of RRT obtained with FT-IR could be used to identify the geographical origins of RRT more quickly and accurately.

Couroupita guianensis bark decoction: From Amazonian medicine to the UHPLC-HRMS chemical profile and its role in inflammation processes and re-epithelialization

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

In the Amazon rainforest, the shamans of the Mayantuyacu site use the healing virtues of decoctions and teas from different parts of the Couroupita guianensis Aubl. (Lecythidaceae) trees as remedies in Ashaninka medicine. However, composition of the remedy and the underlying mechanism remain unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study was designed to compare the metabolite profile of Couroupita guianensis bark decoction produced by Amazonian shamans with that obtained under standardised laboratory conditions and to investigate biological properties of both decoction and isolated constituents in skin wound healing process and inflammation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The chemical analyses were carried out by Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with UV and High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry detectors (UHPLC-UV-HRMS). 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments were performed to identify the main decoction constituents. The decoction and pure compound effect on keratinocyte migration was determined by the in vitro wound healing model; the mechanism of action was elucidated by western blot analysis.

RESULTS

UHPLC-UV-HRMS analysis revealed the occurrence of polyphenolic compounds as catechins, ellagitannins and, notably, of unusual sulphated derivatives of ellagic acid isolated for the first time from Couroupita guianensis bark. A new natural sulphated molecule [4-(2″-O-sulphate- β-D-glucuronopyranosyl) ellagic acid] was identified as the potential active compound responsible for the efficacy of bark decoction stimulating wound healing in human HaCaT keratinocytes. The molecular mechanism involved the induction of pro-migratory pathways mediated by ERK and AKT phosphorylation and the increase of MMP2 expression in HaCaT cells. At the same time, the treatment inhibited inflammation interfering with NFkB activation.

CONCLUSION

Beyond identifying a new bioactive compound, the overall results scientifically validate the traditional use of Couroupita guianensis bark decoction as an anti-inflammatory remedy. Moreover, the beneficial effects on keratinocytes suggest promising therapeutic applications in skin diseases.

Exploring the active components and potential mechanisms of Rosa roxburghii Tratt in treating type 2 diabetes mellitus based on UPLC-Q-exactive Orbitrap/MS and network pharmacology

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a global disease with growing prevalence that is difficult to cure. Rosa roxburghii Tratt is an edible and medicinal plant, and modern pharmacological studies have shown that it has potential anti-diabetic activity. This is the first study to explore the active components and potential mechanisms of Rosa roxburghii Tratt fruit for treating T2DM based on UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap/MS and network pharmacology.

METHODS

The active components of Rosa roxburghii Tratt fruit were obtained from UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap/MS analysis and retrieval in the SciFinder, PubMed, Web of Science, and CNKI databases. The potential targets of the active components were obtained from the SwissTargetPrediction and PharmMapper databases. The disease targets for T2DM were obtained from GeneCards, OMIM, TTD, DisGENent, and GEO databases. The intersection of the two datasets was used to obtain the potential targets of Rosa roxburghii Tratt fruit against T2DM. The target protein interaction network was constructed using the String database and Cytoscape software. The R software ClusterProfiler package was used for target enrichment analysis and the Cytoscape CytoNCA plug-in was used to screen core targets. Molecular docking and result visualization were performed using PyMOL and Autodock Vina software.

RESULTS

We obtained 20 bioactive ingredients, including alphitolic acid, quercetin, and ellagic acid, as well as 13 core targets, such as AKT1, TNF, SRC, and VEGFA. All bioactive ingredients in Rosa roxburghii Tratt fruit were active against T2DM-related therapeutic targets. Rosa roxburghii Tratt fruit may play a therapeutic role in T2DM by regulating the PI3K/AKT, RAS, AGE-RAGE, and other signaling pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

This study explored the active components and potential mechanisms of Rosa roxburghii Tratt fruit in the treatment of T2DM, laying the foundation for a further experimental study based on pharmacodynamic substances and their mechanisms of action.

Recent advances in polysaccharides from Rose roxburghii Tratt fruits: isolation, structural characterization, and bioactivities

Rosa roxburghii Tratt fruit (RRF), known commonly as Cili in China, is a highly valued fruit that contains abundant functional and nutritional constituents with a variety of health-promoting benefits. Polysaccharides (RRFPs) are regarded as one of the crucial biological compounds in RRF. Existing literature has shown that RRFPs possess various remarkable biological activities, such as antioxidant, hypoglycemic, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and gut microbiota modulation capabilities. In recent years, isolation and purification methods, structural characteristics, and biological activities of RRFPs have been drawing increasing attention. However, there is no up-to-date review of research progress on this front. In this review, recent advances in RRFPs, including their isolation, purification, structural characterization, biological activity, and the structure-activity relationship are summarized and discussed. In addition, this review highlights the challenges and prospects of RRFPs. Overall, this review provides useful research underpinnings and updated information for the further development and utilization of RRFPs in the fields of health, food, and medicine.

Metabolomics Combined with Transcriptomics Analysis Revealed the Amino Acids, Phenolic Acids, and Flavonol Derivatives Biosynthesis Network in Developing Rosa roxburghii Fruit

Rosa roxburghii Tratt. is a specific fruit with high nutritional value and antioxidative activities. However, the key metabolites and their biosynthesis are still unknown. Herein, a main cultivated variety, ‘Guinong 5’ (Rr5), was chosen to analyze the metabolomics of the three developmental stages of R. roxburghii fruit by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). A total of 533 metabolites were identified, of which 339 were significantly altered. Total phenols, flavonoids, and amino acids were significantly correlated to at least one in vitro antioxidant activity. The conjoint Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) co-enrichment analysis of metabolome and transcriptome was focused on amino acid, phenylpropanoid, and flavonoid biosynthesis pathways. The amino acid, phenolic acid, and flavonol biosynthesis networks were constructed with 32 structural genes, 48 RrMYBs, and 23 metabolites. Of these, six RrMYBs correlated to 9–15 metabolites in the network were selected to detect the gene expression in six different R. roxburghii genotypes fruits. Subsequently, 21 key metabolites were identified in the in vitro antioxidant activities in the fruits at various developmental stages or in fruits of different R. roxburghii genotypes. We found that four key RrMYBs were related to the significantly varied amino acids, phenolic acids, and flavonol derivatives in the network during fruit development and the key metabolites in the in vitro antioxidative activities in the fruits of six R. roxburghii genotypes. This finding provided novel insights into the flavonoid, polyphenol, and amino acid synthesis in R. roxburghii.

Comparison of Chemical Compositions and Antioxidant Activities of Fresh and Dried Rosa roxburghii Tratt Fruit

Fresh fruit of Rosa roxburghii Tratt has attracted great interest and is used in many functional products in China. However, fresh fruits are perishable products with quite short shelf lives and few studies have focused on dried fruits. Therefore, this study aimed to explore whether the drying process can be used to preserve bioactive components of R roxburghii fruits by comparing phytochemical profiles and antioxidant activities between fresh and dried fruit. As result, a total of 95 compounds, mainly including organic acids, phenols, and flavonoids, were identified in fresh and dried fruits by using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry. The relative quantitative result showed that contents of phenols and acylamide were significantly higher ( p  < .05) in dried fruit. Furthermore, dried fruit showed stronger antioxidant activity by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging ability and ferric reducing antioxidant power. This research suggested that dried R roxburghii fruit could be considered a more effective and economical health and functional source for functional food and industry.

Chemical profiling and antioxidants screening from natural products: using CiNingJi as an example

Natural products with good antioxidative properties have been paid increased attention globally. However, due to its chemical complexity, it is difficult to find out its antioxidative compounds. Herein, the chemical profiling and antioxidant capacity of CiNingJi (CNJ) were analyzed, as an example. By using UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS, a total of 82 compounds were tentatively deduced. Furthermore, its free radical scavenging capacity was assessed by different in vitro spectrophotometric-based assays. The result showed that one ingredient, Rosa roxburghii, plays a critical role in its antioxidant activity. In addition, 18 potential antioxidants were screened out in CNJ by comparing the difference of it with and without DPPH reaction. They were identified mainly as catechin, ellagic acid, kajiichigoside F1, and their derivatives or isomers. With the further quantification of major found antioxidants, our results may provide some knowledge on predicting the antioxidative compounds of natural products.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-022-01049-4.

Phytochemical profile, bioactivity and prebiotic potential of bound polyphenols released from Rosa Roxburghii fruit pomace dietary fiber during in vitro digestion and fermentation

The aim of this study was to elucidate liberation and phytochemical profile of bound polyphenols existed in dietary fiber (RPDF) isolated from Rosa roxburghii fruit pomace during in vitro simulated...

Bioactive constituents of Mosla chinensis-cv. Jiangxiangru ameliorate inflammation through MAPK signaling pathways and modify intestinal microbiota in DSS-induced colitis mice

BACKGROUND

Mosla chinensis Maxim. cv. Jiangxiangru (JXR), a traditional Chinese medicine, commonly used for the therapy of cold, fever, diarrhea, digestive disorders, and other diseases. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disorder of the human gastrointestinal tract. Research about the effect of JXR on IBD and the active ingredient composition of JXR remains deficiency.

PURPOSE

This study aims to determine the phytochemical composition and the anti-inflammatory property of JXR, as well as the possible anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

METHODS

The bioactive profile of JXR extracts was determined by UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS. A DSS induced colitis mouse model was applied to explore the anti-inflammatory activity of JXR. The body weight, colon length and histopathological status of colon tissue were evaluated. The content of inflammatory mediators (nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂)) and cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β)), corresponding mRNA and protein expression levels were analyzed. Oxidation pressure and gut microbial composition were also explored.

RESULTS

Totally 63 constitutes were identified from JXR, among them, phenolic acids and flavonoids comprised a large part, and rosmarinic acid (RA) was the main compound. The results of DSS-induced colitis mice model indicated that JXR effectively ameliorated inflammation, restore the redox balance in the gut. JXR treatment significantly reduced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), increased the activity of antioxidative enzyme, suppressed the secretion of inflammatory mediators (NO, PGE₂) and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β). JXR also restrained the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling pathway. Furthermore, JXR could restore the microbial diversity by suppressing Bacteroidaceae, increasing Bifidobacteriales and Melainabacteria in DSS colitis mouse model.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that JXR composed with various bioactive compounds, effectively ameliorated colitis, restored the redox balance and regulated gut microbiota. Results from the present study provide an insight of therapeutic potential of JXR in IBD based on its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, also provide a scientific basis for using JXR as a functional ingredient to promote colon health.

Physicochemical, biological properties, and flavour profile of Rosa roxburghii Tratt, Pyracantha fortuneana, and Rosa laevigata Michx fruits: A comprehensive review

In China, three Rosaceae fruits with distinctive flavours and functions have recently been transformed from edible plants into standardised juice or beverage products. To enhance the development of these fruit products, the results and conclusions from various investigations of the chemical and biological properties of fruits should be summarised. Based on industrial advances, there are still some limitation in the research and development of these fruit products that need to be addressed. Therefore, in this report, we provided a comprehensive and rigorous review to summarise critical data from phytochemical and biological investigations and from flavour profiles and industrial development of these fruit products. Our goal is to provide insights into recent research findings in order to advance studies and developments of products of these flavourful fruits from a reasonable perspective.

Botanical characteristics, phytochemistry and related biological activities of Rosa roxburghii Tratt fruit, and its potential use in functional foods: a review

Due to the growing global population, reduction in arable land and effects of climate change, incongruity between food supply and demand has become increasingly severe. Nowadays, with awareness of the elementary nutrients required for human growth, increasing attention is being paid to the health and medical functions of food. Along with increased food production achieved by modern agricultural techniques, underutilised functional foods are an important strategy for solving food security problems and maintaining the nutritional quality of the human diet. Rosa roxburghii Tratt (RRT) is a natural fruit that contains unique functional and nutritional constituents, which are characterised by a high anti-oxidant potential. This review summarises the biological characteristics, chemical composition, health-promoting properties and development status of RRT products to inspire investigations on the use of RRT fruit as a functional food, dietary supplement and pharmaceutical additive. The nutrients and functional ingredients of RRT fruit are described in detail to provide more reference information for nutritionists and pharmacists.

Anti-browning effect of Rosa roxburghii on apple juice and identification of polyphenol oxidase inhibitors

Enzymatic browning control of cloudy fruit juice with natural substances has received much attention for improving its nutritional and commercial value. This study explored the anti-browning potential of Rosa roxburghii in apple juice. The anti-browning effects and mechanisms were evaluated by serial measurements of appearance, browning index, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity, UPLC-QE-Orbitrap-MS identification, inhibition kinetics and molecular docking. The results showed that Rosa roxburghii juice (0.25%-1.25% w/w) could effectively inhibit browning and PPO activity of apple juice. Ascorbic acid (1.67 g/100 g) as a reducing agent was a main anti-browning factor. Furthermore, seven phenolic compounds in Rosa roxburghii were screened as PPO inhibitors. Representative phenolic inhibitors induced mixed or competitive inhibition of PPO, mainly driven by hydrophobic forces and hydrogen bonds. This work demonstrates that Rosa roxburghii is a promising natural anti-browning ingredient to control the browning of cloudy apple juice due to abundant ascorbic acid and PPO inhibitors.

Green Extraction of Phenolic Compounds from Lotus Seedpod (Receptaculum Nelumbinis) Assisted by Ultrasound Coupled with Glycerol

Lotus Receptaculum Nelumbinis has been sparking wide research interests due to its rich phenolic compounds. In the present work, ultrasonic-assisted extraction coupled with glycerol was employed to extract phenolic compounds from Receptaculum Nelumbinis and the process was optimized using a response surface methodology with Box-Behnken design (BBD). The optimal conditions for the total phenolic content (TPC) extract were obtained: glycerol concentration of 40%, an extraction temperature of 66 °C, ultrasonic time of 44 min, and the solvent-to-solid ratio of 55 mL/g. Under these optimum extraction conditions, the extraction yield of TPC was 92.84 ± 2.13 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) /g. Besides, the antioxidant activities demonstrated the ability of free radical scavenging by four different methods that included 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and reducing activity (RA) were 459.73 ± 7.07, 529.97 ± 7.30, 907.61 ± 20.28, and 983.66 ± 11.80 μmol TE/g, respectively. Six phenolic compounds were identified by ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography combined with triple-time-of-flight mass spectrophotometry (UPLC-Triple-TOF/MS) from the extracts. Meanwhile, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) was conducted to identify the characteristic functional groups of the extracts and thus reflected the presence of polyphenols and flavonoids. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) illustrated the microstructure difference of four treatments, which might explain the relationships between antioxidant activities and the structures of phenolic compounds.

Flavonoids and antioxidant activity of rare and endangered fern: Isoetes sinensis

Isoetes sinensis Palmer is a critically endangered, first-class protected plant in China. Until now, researchers have primarily focused on the ultrastructure, phylogeny, and transcriptomes of the plant. However, flavonoid profiles and bioactivity of I. sinensis have not been extensively investigated. To develop the endangered I. sinensis for edible and medicinal purposes, flavonoid content, chemical constitution, and antioxidant activities were investigated in this study. Results revealed the following. 1) The total flavonoid content was determined as 10.74 ± 0.25 mg/g., 2) Antioxidant activities were stronger than most ferns, especially ABTS free radical scavenging activities. 3) Four flavones, containing apigenin, apigenin-7-glucuronide, acacetin-7-O-glcopyranoside, and homoplantageninisoetin; four flavonols, namely, isoetin, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-[6"-O-(3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl)-β-D-glucopyranoside], and limocitrin-Neo; one prodelphinidin (procyanidins;) and one nothofagin (dihydrochalcone) were tentatively identified in the mass spectrometry-DAD (254nm) chromatograms. This study was the first to report on flavonoid content and antioxidant activities of I. sinensis. Stronger antioxidant activity and flavonoid content suggests that the endangered I. sinensis is an important and potentially edible and medicinal plant.

Chemical characterization and comparison of two chestnut rose cultivars from different regions

Chestnut rose (Rosa roxburghii Tratt.) is a native fruit in China, rich in bioactive compounds. Chemical properties and bioactive compounds in the largest two cultivars (Gui Nong No. 5 and Golden Cili) of chestnut rose from different regions were analyzed and compared. Meanwhile, catechin, quercetin, myricetin, kaempferol, ellagic acid and ellagic acid glucuronide were identified. By comparison, Guinong No. 5 showed higher SOD actitviy (5,687.67-5,797.48 U/g), ascorbic acid (1.38-1.47 g/100 g), catechin (971.67-1405.75 mg/100 g) and myricetin (851.32-876.32 mg/100 g), antioxidant capacity, while Golden Cili was characterized with higher total flavnoids (263.30-278.63 mg/100 g), β-carotene (747.31-859.21 μg/100 g) and zeaxanthin (186.03-268.78 μg/100 g), glucose (10.32-12.03 g/100 g) and arabinose (3.22-3.43 g/100 g), tartaric acid (0.20-0.52 g/100 g), quercetin (1,034.63-1,411.08 mg/100 g). The principal components analysis method can be used to separate two cultivars well and partial least squares discrimination analysis method can be used to distinguish different planting regions well.

Recovery of lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) seedpod flavonoids using polar macroporous resins: The updated understanding on adsorption/desorption mechanisms and the involved intermolecular attractions and bonding

Macroporous resins have been employed in the effective recovery of flavonoids from plants. In this study, S8 polar resins were used to recover flavonoids and procyanidins from lotus seedpods. Adsorption kinetics, isotherms, and thermodynamics studies revealed that the adsorption process involved physico-chemical interactions, including flavonoid-resin and flavonoid-flavonoid electrostatic interactions, π-π aromatic stacking, moderate and strong hydrogen bonding, and repulsive forces. These forces worked complementarily in adsorption, except for the repulsive force, which opposed the adsorption. Further, adsorption temperature determined the adsorption behavior, with multilayer adsorption enhancing adsorption capacity. In dynamic desorption tests, an acetone/water/acetic acid mixture (58.77: 39.34: 1.89) designed by the D-optimal design method was able to desorb 95.57% and 89.85% of total flavonoids and procyanidins, respectively, using less than two bed volumes of solvent. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography triple-time of flight/mass spectrometry (UPLC-TOF/MS) analysis showed that 26 flavonoids, including 5 procyanidins, were detected after the recovery.