Study of the Chemical Composition of Rosa beggeriana Schrenk's Fruits and Leaves.

Rosa species are widely used in folk medicine in different countries of Asia and Europe, but not all species are studied in-depth. For instance, Rosa beggeriana Schrenk, a plant which grows in Central Asia, Iran, and some parts of China, is little described in articles. Column and thin-layer chromatography methods were used to isolate biologically active substances. From a study of fruits and leaves of Rosa beggeriana Schrenk, a large number of compounds were identified, seven of which were isolated: 3ß,23-dihydroxyurs-12-ene (1), ß-sitosterol (2), betulin (3), (+)-catechin (4), lupeol (5), ethyl linoleate (6), and ethyl linolenoate (7). Their structures were elucidated by 1H, DEPT and 13C NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry). The study also identified the structures of organic compounds, including volatile esters and acids. Consequently, comprehensive data were acquired concerning the chemical constitution of said botanical specimen.

Plant Extract of Limonium gmelinii Attenuates Oxidative Responses in Neurons, Astrocytes, and Cerebral Endothelial Cells In Vitro and Improves Motor Functions of Rats after Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion.

There are numerous publications demonstrating that plant polyphenols can reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory processes in the brain. In the present study we have investigated the neuroprotective effect of plant extract isolated from the roots of L. gmelinii since it contains a rich source of polyphenols and other biologically active compounds. We have applied an oxidative and inflammatory model induced by NMDA, H2O2, and TNF-α in human primary neurons and astrocytes, and mouse cerebral endothelial cell (CECs) line in vitro. The levels of ROS generation, NADPH oxidase activation, P-selectin expression, and activity of ERK1/2 were evaluated by quantitative immunofluorescence analysis, confocal microscopy, and MAPK assay. In vivo, sensorimotor functions in rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) were assessed. In neurons NMDA induced overproduction of ROS, in astrocytes TNF-α initiated ROS generation, NADPH oxidase activation, and phosphorylation of ERK1/2. In CECs, the exposure by TNF-α induced oxidative stress and triggered the accumulation of P-selectin on the surface of the cells. In turn, pre-treatment of the cells with the extract of L. gmelinii suppressed oxidative stress in all cell types and pro-inflammatory responses in astrocytes and CECs. In vivo, the treatment with L. gmelinii extract improved motor activity in rats with MCAO.