Phytochemical screening and biological activity ofextracts and traditional preserves of rose hips (Rosa L., Rosaceae) | Fitohemijski skrining i biološka aktivnost ekstrakata i tradicionalnih proizvoda od plodova divljih ruža (Rosa L.; Rosaceae)

The aim of presented doctoral thesis was investigation of phytochemical composition and biological activity of water and methanol extracts of fresh and air- dried rose hips, as well as purée and jam made according to traditional recipe of hips of six wild growing Rosa L. species: R. canina, R. dumalis, R. dumetorum, R. tomentosa, R. arvensis, and R. sempervirens. Examination of phytochemical composition included LC-MS/MS analysis of 64 selected phenolic compounds, quinic acid (organic acid) and three triterpenoids. Also, total phenolic and flavonoid contents, as well as vitamin C contents were determined spectrophotometrically. Biological activity evaluation of extracts of six Rosa species included in vitro investigation of antioxidant, anti- inflammatory, anti-acetylcholinesterase and cytotoxic activity. According to obtained results, fresh and air-dried rose hips, as well as their preserves present valuable source of vitamin C and phenolic compounds, especially ellagic acid, which was the most abundant examined phenolic compound. Furthermore, high concentration of ursolic acid was detected in some Rosa tomentosa and R. rumetorum extracts, while notable concentration of quinic acid was present in all examined extracts. Extracts of all examined species, apart from Rosa arvensis, showed considerable antioxidant activity in terms of radical scavenging ability, reduction potential and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. Moreover, extracts exhibited moderate anti- inflammatory activity by means of inhibition of the main arachidonic acid metabolites formed incyclooxygenase-1 (12-HHT, TXB2, PGE 2 ) and 12-lipoxygenase (12-HETE) pathway, especially prostaglandin E2 . Also, investigation of anti- cetylcholinesterase activity revealed moderate activity of extracts of all examined species. In addition, predominantly water extracts of fresh andair-dried rose hips, as well as purée of R. canina, R. tomentosa and R. sempervirens showed inhibitory activity toward HeLa, while R.sempervirens extracts also inhibited HT-29 cell growth. Presented results indicate significant potential of examined rose hips and their preserves for use as nutraceuticals and functional food.