Rosa canina
Rosa canina · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (21 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Rosa canina, commonly known as the dog rose, is a versatile plant utilized for its significant therapeutic potential across various medicinal applications. The various parts of the plant, including the fruit, seed, flower, and leaf, serve as rich sources of bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, anthocyanins, and ascorbic acid. Through preparations like hydroalcoholic extracts, bud extracts, and distilled water solutions, these components can be harnessed to combat conditions such as inflammation, obesity, and osteoarthritis. Research highlights the plant's diverse pharmacological activities, specifically its antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, and hepatoprotective properties. Consequently, this species represents a vital natural resource in the development of treatments for oxidative stress and metabolic disorders.
- Synonyms
- Rosa Canina Var. Ciliatosepala · Rosa Roffavieri · 1058 more
- Common names
- Not available
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Distribution
- Not available
- Plant Parts
- Fruit · Seed
Classification
Common Names
Rosa canina is a versatile plant known by a wide variety of regional names. It is frequently referred to as Arkakarats or Arrosa burda depending on the local dialect. In other areas, the species might be identified as the Behaarde struweelroos. It is also commonly called the Beklierde heggenroos in certain botanical circles. Finally, some people simply recognize this plant by its name, Breila.
Sources: Catalogue of Life (COL)
Synonyms
Rosa canina is a complex botanical subject that is frequently associated with several different taxonomic synonyms. Within various scientific classifications, this species is linked to the genus Crepinia through names such as Crepinia aciphylla and Crepinia canina. Researchers also recognize it under the synonym Crepinia lemaitrei depending on the specific botanical context. Furthermore, the plant is identified in older or alternative texts as Crepinia myrtilloides. Finally, the classification extends to include Crepinia psilophylla, highlighting the intricate nomenclature surrounding this species.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Taxonomy
Rosa canina is a fascinating botanical specimen that belongs to the vast kingdom Plantae. Within this expansive realm, it is specifically classified under the class Equisetopsida. The plant is a prominent member of the order Rosales, showcasing its evolutionary connections. It further resides within the diverse family Rosaceae, a group known for many well-loved species. Finally, its identity is solidified by its placement within the genus Rosa.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Rosales |
| Family | Rosaceae |
| Genus | Rosa |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
Geographic Regions
Rosa canica displays a diverse geographical range that spans several distinct global regions. Its presence is notably widespread across Africa, specifically within the northern territories of Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. The species also finds a home in Macaronesia and the islands of Madeira. Interestingly, its distribution extends even further south to the Subantarctic Islands and the Falkland Islands near Antarctica. This broad dispersal pattern highlights the plant's ability to adapt to varied environments across multiple continents.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Identification
Morphology
Rosa canina is a versatile shrub characterized by its hardy and self-supporting growth form. This plant typically reaches a modest height, though it can grow to a maximum of 5 meters under ideal conditions. Depending on the environment, individual specimens generally maintain a minimum height of at least 1 meter. More frequently, these shrubs establish themselves with a more substantial stature starting at 1.75 meters. Such diverse growth patterns allow this species to adapt effectively to various landscapes.
Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)
Biological Activities
Rosa canina is a versatile medicinal plant that exhibits a wide range of significant pharmacological activities. Research indicates that it possesses potent antioxidant properties, which help combat oxidative stress and protect various tissues. Its therapeutic profile also includes anticancer effects, specifically demonstrating the ability to inhibit cancer cell proliferation and promote apoptosis. Furthermore, the plant shows promising antidiabetic potential through the inhibition of enzymes like α-amylase. Beyond these uses, Rosa canina demonstrates notable antimicrobial capabilities and provides essential hepatoprotective benefits to support liver health.
Compounds
Rosa canina is a highly valued medicinal plant belonging to the Rosaceae family that possesses a diverse array of bioactive phytochemicals. Research indicates that the plant is a significant source of flavonoids and quercetin, both of which contribute to its potent antioxidant and protective properties. Furthermore, the fruits of this species are rich in ascorbic acid, making them a vital nutritional resource. Chemical analyses through GC-MS have also identified specific compounds within its extracts, such as 3-t-Butyloxaziridine and 5-Oxymethylfurfurole. Together, these various constituents support the plant's traditional use in various pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and health-promoting applications.
Conditions
Rosa canina demonstrates significant therapeutic potential by treating inflammation, as evidenced by its ability to reduce eczema-associated symptoms and mitigate oxidative stress in hypertrophic adipocytes. The plant also effectively treats obesity by reducing lipid accumulation, body weight, and subcutaneous adipose tissue mass through the modulation of adipokines. Its potent antioxidant activity is shown to increase the stability of anthocyanins in beverages and provide prominent free radical scavenging capacity. Furthermore, Rosa canina treats osteoarthritis by inhibiting cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 activities, which explains its clinically observed efficacy. Finally, the extract treats CCl4-elevated levels of ALP by providing hepatoprotective effects that reduce liver damage in rat models.
Preparations
Rosa canina is prepared as various types of extracts, including general fruit extracts, bud extracts, and hydroalcoholic extracts. Researchers utilize specific preparations such as distilled water and methanolic extract to study the plant's therapeutic potential. These different forms, such as the hydroalcoholic extract and bud extracts, are investigated for their antioxidant and bioactive properties. The plant is also processed as distilled water to evaluate its protective effects on liver and renal functions. Ultimately, the diverse preparation methods, ranging from methanolic to bud extracts, allow for the exploration of Rosa canina's medicinal applications.
Parts used
Rosa canina is a versatile medicinal plant that offers various bioactive components across its different structures. The fruit, commonly known as the rose hip, is a rich source of antioxidants and vitamins used extensively in the food and supplement industries. Beyond the fruit, the seeds of the plant possess functional fatty acids and have demonstrated antibacterial activity against specific pathogens. Research also highlights the medicinal potential of its flowers, particularly through the isolation of anthocyans for radioprotective purposes. Additionally, the leaves of this species are notable for containing high concentrations of flavonoids, making them a valuable subject for phytochemical analysis.