Assessment of the Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Properties of Aqueous Extract of Rosa sempervirens Leaves

Abstract

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of an aqueous natural extract obtained from Rosa sempervirens leaves were assessed. The ability of the extract to scavenge DPPH, •OH, and H2O2 radicals, chelate ferrous ions, reduce ferric ions, and protect β-carotene-linoleic acid in emulsion from peroxidation was investigated in vitro. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory activity of the extract was evaluated by measuring the stability of the membrane of human red blood cells against different hypotonic concentrations of NaCl and heat, as well as by inhibiting the denaturation of albumin. A high total phenolic content (278.38± 11.07 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid content (34.22± 0.12 mg QE /g) were found in the extract. The extract exhibited significant scavenging activity of DPPH (IC50 6.201 ± 0.126 μg/ ml), •OH (IC50 = 894.57 ± 21.18 μg/ml), and H2O2 (IC50= 107±09.58 μg/ml) radicals, and good antioxidant activity by chelating ferrous ions (IC50 = 2499.086 ± 28.267μg/ml), reducing ferric ions (IC50=141.33±2.34 μg/ml), exhibiting total antioxidant capacity (IC50 465.65 ± 9.71 μg/ml), and protecting β-carotene-linoleic acid against peroxidation (I% = 90.05 ± 1.65% at 1000μg/ml). R. sempervirens displayed anti-inflammatory activity in aqueous extract by inhibiting heat-induced albumin denaturation and stabilizing the membrane of human red blood cells. It was suggested from the results that R. sempervirens aqueous extract could help prevent oxidative and inflammatory processes due to its good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.