Rosa roxburghii
What's the taxonomical classification of Rosa roxburghii?
Rosa roxburghii belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within this lineage, it is categorized under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae. Moving through its taxonomic hierarchy, the plant falls under the order Rosales and the family Rosaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by its genus, Rosa, and its specific species name, roxburghii.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Rosales |
| Family | Rosaceae |
| Genus | Rosa |
| Species | roxburghii |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Rosa roxburghii has arching, deciduous stems that are heavily armed with sharp, recurved prickles and feature small, glandular hairs. The foliage consists of pinnately compound leaves typically composed of five to seven elliptical leaflets with serrated margins. Its flowers are solitary and fragrant, displaying five delicate petals that range in color from pale pink to deep rose. Following the bloom, the plant produces distinctive, fleshy hips that transition from green to a bright orange or red color upon ripening. These hips are often slightly compressed and serve as a key identifying feature of the species.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to the temperate regions of China, specifically spanning across provinces such as Hubei, Hunan, Sichuan, and Yunnan. It typically flourishes in mountainous areas and forest margins where the terrain provides necessary drainage. Within these habitats, the species prefers well-drained soils and moderate elevations. Its range is concentrated in East Asia, where the climate supports its perennial growth cycles. This specific distribution allows the plant to thrive in diverse microclimates found throughout the central and southwestern parts of its home country.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant requires well-draining, fertile soil and full sun exposure to thrive in temperate climates.
It is a hardy deciduous shrub that benefits from regular pruning to maintain its structural shape and encourage vigorous flowering. During the growing season, consistent moisture is necessary, though the root system should never sit in stagnant water. Mulching around the base helps retain soil moisture and regulates temperature during extreme weather shifts.
Once established, the species is relatively low-maintenance and highly resistant to many common garden pests.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Rosa roxburghii utilizes its fruit, leaves, and roots for various medicinal purposes. The fleshy fruits are often harvested to treat digestive issues and provide nutritional support. Leaves from the shrub can be prepared as decoctions to help reduce inflammation or clear heat from the body. Additionally, the roots are employed in traditional remedies to address specific internal ailments. Together, these different components allow the plant to serve as a versatile resource in herbal medicine.
According to a study published by "Current issues in molecular biology", the plant Rosa roxburghii Tratt., commonly known as Cili, is characterized as a functional fruit. This fruit is native to southwestern China and contains an extraordinarily high vitamin C content along with robust superoxide dismutase activity. The bioactive compounds found in Cili include ascorbate derivatives, polyphenols, flavonoids, polysaccharides, triterpenoids, and sterols. These components act synergistically to provide various medicinal effects, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, gastrointestinal, hepatoprotective, cardiovascular protective, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, metabolic regulatory, anti-cancer, and neuroprotective benefits.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- fruit
- leaf
- roots
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant, Rosa roxburghii, has been utilized in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries to treat various ailments through the application of its flowers, fruits, and stems.
Practitioners historically employed the rose hips to alleviate symptoms of digestive issues and to reduce inflammation within the body. The fragrant blossoms were often integrated into herbal decoctions to promote relaxation and help regulate menstrual cycles. Beyond internal consumption, certain preparations were used topically to support skin health and wound healing.
These long-standing medicinal practices highlight the plant's significant role in regional ethnobotanical history.
What are the pharmacological activities of Rosa roxburghii?
This plant has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, α-amylase inhibitory, and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. These various biological properties suggest that Rosa roxburghii may play a significant role in managing metabolic disorders. Specifically, the ability to inhibit α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes helps in controlling postprandial blood glucose levels. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects further contribute to protecting cells from oxidative stress and chronic swelling. Consequently, the plant serves as a promising natural source for developing therapeutic agents against diabetes and related inflammatory conditions.
According to a study published by "Frontiers in pharmacology", Rosa roxburghii has been widely used in the Miao and Dong regions of Southwest China for the relief of sleep disorders, indigestion, anti-inflammation, neurasthenia and neuroprotection. The total triterpene components of the plant were previously found to have certain neuroprotective effects. Its main ingredient, Kaji-ichigoside F1, dramatically ameliorated LPS-induced depressive like behaviors, neuronal damage, and apoptosis. This ingredient suppressed the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the serum and hippocampus of mice. It also significantly reduced cell viability and attenuated apoptosis in LPS-induced BV2 microglia. These pharmacological effects were associated with activating the PPARγ/CX3CR1/Nrf2 signaling pathway and suppressing the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- anti-inflammation
- anti-oxidant
- hypoglycemic
- α-amylase inhibitory activity
- α-glucosidase inhibitory activity
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains the unique medicinal compounds Roxbubenzoate A, roxbuterpene A, roxbuterpene B, roxbuterpene A-D, and Kaji-ichigoside F1. These specialized chemical constituents are identified within the various parts of the Rosa roxburghii species. Researchers study these specific molecules to understand their potential therapeutic applications in pharmacology. The presence of these diverse terpenes and glycosides distinguishes this plant from other members of the rose family. Detailed analysis of these substances provides insight into the plant's complex biochemical profile.
According to a study published by "International journal of molecular sciences", one previously undescribed compound (1) and six known compounds (2-7) were isolated from the roots of Rosa roxburghii. Compound 3 showed a significant inhibitory effect on the release of NO in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages with an IC50 value of 7.8 ± 0.2 μM. Compounds 2, 4, and 7 exhibited moderate inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase with inhibition rates of 50.1%, 46.7%, and 41.1% at a concentration of 200 μM. Additionally, compounds 1, 2, and 6 exhibited moderate ABTS radical-scavenging activity with IC50 values of 107.0 ± 1.1, 142.6 ± 0.8, and 128.3 ± 1.2 μM, respectively. These seven compounds (1-7) were tested for their anti-inflammatory, α-glucosidase-inhibitory, and radical-scavenging activities.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- Roxbubenzoaate A
- roxbuterpene A
- roxbuterpene B
- roxbuterpenes A-D
- Kaji-ichigoside F1
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating various ailments through its antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory properties, anti-tumor activity, anti-radiation effects, and ability to combat anti-microbial infections. The bioactive compounds within the plant help neutralize free radicals to reduce oxidative stress in the body. Its natural anti-inflammatory components assist in managing swelling and chronic pain associated with several diseases. Researchers have also studied its potential to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and mitigate damage caused by radiation exposure. Additionally, the plant's ability to fight microbial infections provides a natural defense against harmful bacteria and pathogens.
According to a study published by "Frontiers in pharmacology", Rosa roxbrugii Tratt has been widely used since ancient times in the Miao and Dong regions of Southwest China. This traditional medicinal plant is utilized for the relief of sleep disorders and indigestion. It is also used for anti-inflammation, neurasthenia, and neuroprotection. The total triterpene content of R. roxburgii was previously found to possess certain neuroprotective effects.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- acute liver injury
- anti-inflammation
- anti-tumor activity
- antimicrobial infections
- antioxidant activity
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is utilized to create various medicinal herbal preparations including Rosa roxburghii Tratt fruit polyphenols, ethyl acetate fraction, fermented juice, hydroalcoholic extract, and polar extracts. These diverse preparations are processed to isolate specific bioactive compounds that contribute to the plant's therapeutic potential. Researchers often employ hydroalcoholic extracts and polar extracts to capture the water-soluble components essential for medicinal use. Additionally, the ethyl acetate fraction serves as a method to concentrate specific lipophilic substances within the fruit. Fermented juice provides a unique biochemical profile through microbial transformation, while the concentrated fruit polyphenols offer potent antioxidant properties.
According to a study published by "Journal of agricultural and food chemistry", Rosa roxbrugii Tratt fruit polyphenols (RRTP) have potential to prevent acute lung injury (ALI). The study used an integrated proteomics and metabolomics approach to analyze RRTP extract active ingredients and evaluate its protective effects in ALI mice induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Results demonstrated that RRTP could synergistically exert significant preventive effects against ALI by notably ameliorating lung histopathological damage and pulmonary capillary permeability. The research showed that RRTP inhibits lung tissue inflammatory response, acute phase proteins, and S-100 calcium binding proteins. Furthermore, RRTP suppresses excessive activation of complement and coagulation cascades while regulating disordered lipids metabolism and amino acid metabolism. This study illustrates that RRTP has obvious advantages in ALI adjunctive therapy.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- Rosa roxburghii Tratt fruit polyphenols
- ethyl acetate fraction
- fermented juice
- hydroalcoholic extract
- polar extracts
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can cause adverse health effects such as astringency, dysentery, dyspepsia, hypoimmunity, and neurasthenia. Its high tannin content may lead to excessive astringency, which can disrupt normal digestive functions. Such gastrointestinal disturbances might progress into more severe conditions like dysentery or chronic dyspepsia. Furthermore, improper consumption may weaken the body's natural defenses, resulting in a state of hypoimmunity. Long-term misuse is also associated with neurological fatigue known as neurasthenia.
According to a study published by "International journal of biological macromolecules", Rosa roxburghii extract (RRE) possesses unique advantages in anti-PLGC due to its multi-component, high antioxidant and anti-inflammatoy activities. However, the astringency and instability of RRE in the digestive tract seriously hinder its clinical application. The experimental results showed that RR@PE performed better efficacy against PLGC than RRE by scavenging or inhibiting reactive oxygen species generation and reducing inflammatory cytokines. This study aims to enhance the application potential of RRE to be used for the treatment of clinical patients with PLGC.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- astringency
- dysentery
- dyspepsia
- hypoimmunity
- neurasthenia
What herbs are paired with Rosa roxburghii?
This plant, Rosa roxburghii, is traditionally paired with medicinal herbs such as dried licorice root, ginger, and various species of chrysanthemum to balance its cooling properties.
In traditional Chinese medicine, combining its rose hips with ginseng can help enhance overall vitality and tonify the spleen. Practitioners often mix the dried buds with peppermint to soothe digestive discomfort and promote relaxation. When used in herbal teas, pairing the plant with honey or jujube dates can soften its natural astringency.
These specific combinations aim to harmonize the energetic flow and maximize the therapeutic benefits of the rose.