Comparing Golqand (Persian Medicine Product) with Magnesium Hydroxide in Adult Constipation: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Chronic constipation is a highly prevalent digestive problem in the community, which would decrease the quality of life of individuals. There is not any conclusive drug of choice for constipation. Golqand (combined Rosa × damascena Herrm. and honey) has been introduced as an effective safe laxative in Persian medicine (PM). This study aimed to investigate the effects of Golqand in comparison with Magnesium hydroxide suspension (MOM) in chronic constipation. In this clinical trial, fifty-six patients with chronic constipation were randomly assigned to the study groups of Golqand or MOM. Patients received Golqand (20 g daily) or MOM (40 mL daily) for 2 weeks. Patients took the drug twice a day, MOM group used it in the morning (20 mL) and at night before going to bed (20 mL). The Golqand group used it 10 g before lunch and 10 g before dinner, dissolved it in lukewarm water and swallowed. Then, they were followed for the second two weeks without any medication. The primary outcome was frequency of defecation. Patients were evaluated before the study and two weeks and four weeks after the beginning study. Estimated marginal mean frequency of defecation in the MOM group in the first two weeks was significantly higher than the Golqnd group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference among the groups in the third week when treatment was discontinued (P = 0.155) but in the fourth week, the Golqand group had more count of defecation than the MOM group (P = 0.001). There was no significant difference between the two study groups in terms of treatment satisfaction and drug side effects (P > 0.05). Golqand medication can be used in the treatment of constipation with very few drug side effects and a more lasting effect than MOM drug.

A Randomized Controlled Trial Examining the Effect of Aromatherapy Using the Damask Rose Essential Oil on Pre-operative Anxiety Levels

Background: Non-pharmacological care interventions like aromatherapy can be cost-effective and efficient ways to reduce anxiety and adverse results before surgery. Objectives: In this study, the efficacy of aromatherapy on pre-operative anxiety in patients undergoing Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) referring to Peymaniyeh Hospital in Jahrom-Iran was the main goal. Methods: This controlled-randomized trial was conducted on 38 patients that were randomly assigned to two groups: Control and Aromatherapy (Rosa damascena). The anxiety levels were recorded for all two groups the night before the surgery. On the day of surgery and after re-communication, patients were approached in a pre-operative holding area, and the intervention was performed. Data were collected over 11 months from June 2015 to May 2016. Results: The statistically significant difference after the intervention between the control and intervention groups indicated that Aromatherapy with Rosa damascene reduced the patient’s anxiety. Conclusions: This survey prepares evidence for the use of Damask rose as an anti-anxiety intervention. Using Damask rose as a nursing intervention helps nurses provide individualized care and helps patients control their anxiety.

Kinetic, isotherm and thermodynamic aspects of Cu2+ biosorption onto Rosa damascena leaf as a low-cost biosorbent: Optimization of process variables by Response Surface Methodology

In this study, the Rosa damascena leaf powder was evaluated as a biosorbent for copper removal from aqueous solutions. Optimized conditions of 4.0 g/L biosorbent dosage, pH of 5.5 and initial copper concentration of 55 mg/L obtained by Response Surface Methodology were employed for Cu2+ biosorption by R. damascena leaves and up to 88.7 % Cu2+ was removed. The biosorption data were well fitted to the pseudo-second order and Elovich kinetic models. The Langmuir and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm models were also best fit the experimental data showing monolayer isotherm with qmax value of 25.13 mg/g obtained at optimum conditions. Thermodynamic parameters showed the spontaneity, feasibility and exothermic nature of adsorption. Scanning electron microscopy, Energy-Dispersive X-Ray, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to characterize the biosorbent before and after Cu2+ biosorption, revealing outstanding structural characteristics and high surface functional groups availability. In addition, immobilized R. damascena leaves adsorbed 90.7 % of copper from aqueous solution, which is greater than free biosorbent (85.3 %). It can be concluded that R. damascena might be employed as a low-cost biosorbent for removing heavy metals from aqueous solutions.

Utilization of Industrial Rosa damascena Mill. By-products and Cocoa Pod Husks as Natural Preservatives in Muffins

Cocoa Pod Husks (CPH) and by-product from supercritical CO2 extracted Rosa damascena Mill. (RDCO2) were used as biopreservatives in muffins. Both by-products were rich source of polyphenols: 28.3 ± 0.6 mg/g Dry Weight (DW) and 17.9 ± 0.7 mg/g DW RDCO2 and CPH, respectively, and exhibited potent antioxidant capacity: 449.1 ± 8.5 µmol Trolox Equivalents (TE)/g DW (by ORAC method) and 58.9 ± 2.1 µmol Gallic Acid Equivalents (GAE)/g DW (by HORAC method) for the RDCO2, and 373.8 ± 9.0 µmol TE/g DW (by ORAC) and 36.8 ± 3.8 µmol GAE/g DW (by HORAC) for the CPH. RDCO2 extracts successfully inhibited development of several important pathogenic and saprophytic microorganisms causing microbial spoilage of food systems. The control muffins were good for consumption up to the 17th day, while the products supplemented with RDCO2 and CPH: until 20th day of storage at 22 ± 0.5 °C. The amount of dietary fibers in muffins supplemented with both by-products increased 3 times (8.57 ± 0.12 %) compared to control (2.91 ± 0.12 %) and the polyphenolic compounds increased 2.5 times (from 50.0 ± 0.3 for the control to 185.9 ± 0.6 mg/g DW). For the first time by-product of supercritical CO2 extraction of Rosa damascena Mill. was characterized and used as natural and cheap biopreservative.

The Effect of Different Levels of Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium in Some Growth Properties of Rosa Damascena Mill L.

The experiment was conducted on cuttings of Rosa damascena mill L. During the period from mid-March of 2014 until the end of 2015 before the period of formation of flowers for picking at the College of Agriculture/University of Karbala According to the design of complete random sectors, The research included a global experiment with three different factors of the first chemical fertilizer nitrogen fertilization and three levels (0, 0.5 and 1 gm N. Kg -1 soil) and fertilization with the element phosphorus with three levels (0, 15 and 30 mg P2O5. Kg -1 soil) and three levels of Potassium (0, 100 and 200 mg K2O. Kg -1 soil). The results showed that the single effect of the fertilization treatment with nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium resulted in a significant increase in the characteristic of plant height and number of leaves, and the fertilization treatment with nitrogen and phosphorus component separately resulted in the production of seedlings that were characterized by a high dry green weight compared to the comparison treatment. The data of the bilateral overlap between nitrogen and phosphorous indicate the presence of significant differences, as the treatment with nitrogen component gave a concentration of (0.5 and 1 g. Kg-1) overlapping with the component of phosphorus concentration (30 mg. Kg-1) with the highest significant rate of (39.66 cm). The treatment of the triple interference between nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium gave a significant effect on all the studied traits.

Modulation of Physiological and Biochemical Traits of Two Genotypes of Rosa Damascena Mill. By Nano Silicon Under in Vitro Drought Stress

Drought is a major abiotic stress that prevents plant growth and efficiency. Silicon increases drought tolerance by regulating the biosynthesis and acumulation of some osmolits.This study was conducted to modulate dought stress induced by Polyethylene glycol (PEG) in two genotypes of damasks by nano silicon dioxide (nSiO2). The experiment included three levels of nSiO2 (0, 50 and 100 mg L-1) and PEG (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 g L-1) added to culture medium. Drought stress decreased protein content while Maragheh genotype under normal conditios and treating with 100 mg L-1 nSiO2 had the highest protein content. Under severe drought stress Maragheh genotype had stronger membrane stability index (MSI) than Kashan genotype and explants treated with 100 mg L-1 nSiO2 had the highest MSI in control plants. Contrary to the negative effects of drought, plants treated with 100 mg L−1 nSiO2 maintained more of their photosynthetic parameters in comparison with other treatments and showed higher amount of protein and proline in Maragheh rather than kashan genotype. Drought stress reduced the values of Fm, Fv/Fm, and Fv. In general, under drought stress, treatment with nSiO2 increased the mentioned characteristics before. It also improved water deficit tolerance through enhancing in the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase and superoxide dismutase while the amount of lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide decreased. The results showed that Maragheh genotype may be more stronger in counter with water deficit by improving in water balance, antioxidant enzyme activities, and membrane stability.

Antibacterial and anti-Trichomonas Vaginalis effects of Rosa Damascena mill petal oil (a persian medicine product), aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts

Background Oils in traditional medicine are important products and used routinely for therapeutic purposes. Rose oil (Rosa damascene Mill), a product of Persian medicine, is advised for the treatment of Infectious diseases related to the female genitourinary tract. In the present study, R. damascena petal oil, aqueous, and hydroalcoholic extracts were evaluated for their in vitro antibacterial and anti-Trichomonas vaginalis effects. Methods Anti-trichomonas activity evaluation of extracts and oil were assayed by the Homocytometery method. Their antibacterial effects against Escherichia coli, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and clinically isolated Group B Streptococcus were assayed by broth microdilution in 96-well plates. Results The MIC of hydroalcoholic and aqueous extracts ranged from 25-50 and 25-100 mg/ml, respectively. Rose oil at all administered doses failed to show any antibacterial activity. Conclusion All extracts and oil concentrations showed some degree of growth inhibition activity on T. vaginalis; however, hydroalcoholic extract was more efficient.

Redox-Modulating Capacity and Antineoplastic Activity of Wastewater Obtained from the Distillation of the Essential Oils of Four Bulgarian Oil-Bearing Roses

The wastewater from the distillation of rose oils is discharged directly into the soil because it has a limited potential for future applications. The aim of the present study was to determine in vitro the chromatographic profile, redox-modulating capacity, and antineoplastic activity of wastewater obtained by distillation of essential oils from the Bulgarian Rosa alba L., Rosa damascena Mill., Rosa gallica L., and Rosa centifolia L. We applied UHPLC-HRMS for chromatographic analysis of rose wastewaters, studied their metal-chelating and Fe(III)-reducing ability, and performed MTT assay for the evaluation of cytotoxic potential against three tumorigenic (HEPG2—hepatocellular adenocarcinoma, A-375—malignant melanoma, A-431—non-melanoma epidermoid squamous skin carcinoma) and one non-tumorigenic human cell lines (HaCaT—immortalized keratinocytes). The median inhibitory concentrations (IC50) were calculated with nonlinear modeling using the MAPLE® platform. The potential of the wastewaters to induce apoptosis was also examined. Mono-, di-, and acylated glycosides of quercetin and kaempferol, ellagic acid and its derivatives as main chemical components, and gallic acid and its derivatives—such as catechin and epicatechin—were identified. The redox-modulating capacity of the samples (TPTZ test) showed that all four wastewaters exhibited the properties of excellent heavy metal cleaners, but did not exert very strong cytotoxic effects. The lowest IC50 rate was provided in wastewater from R. centifolia (34–35 µg/mL of gallic acid equivalents after a 72 h period for all cell lines). At 24 and 48 hours, the most resistant cell line was HEPG2, followed by HaCaT. After 72 h of exposure, the IC50 values were similar for tumor and normal cells. Still, R. damascena had a selectivity index over 2.0 regarding A-431 non-melanoma skin cancer cells, showing a good toxicological safety profile in addition to moderate activity—IC50 of 35 µg/mL polyphenols. The obtained results related to wastewaters acquired after the distillation of essential oils from the Bulgarian R. alba, R. damascena, R. gallica, and R. centifolia direct our attention to further studies for in-depth elucidation of their application as detoxifying agents under oxidative damage conditions in other experimental datasets.