Roots of Rosa majalis Herrm. as a source of antioxidants and anti-influenza agents

Abstract

Rosa majalis Herrm. (Rosaceae) is a shrub widespread throughout Eurasia. In West Siberia, it is cultivated as an ornamental plant and raw material for the manufacture of fruit multivitamin concentrates. Meanwhile, metabolites and biological activities of its roots are poorly studied. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the potential of ethyl acetate (EtOAc), butanol (ButOH), aqueous ethanol (EtOH), and aqueous (H₂O) extracts of R. majalis roots as sources of antioxidant and anti-influenza compounds. Spectrophotometry and HPLC were used for metabolite quantification. Antioxidant activities were determined via the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The antiviral activities were assessed as half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀). The EtOAc extract manifested the highest concentrations of phenolic compounds (53.79 mg g⁻¹ of dry extract) and saponins (48.92 mg g⁻¹). Total gallic acid was the main phenolic compound in all extracts (24.98–38.68 mg g⁻¹). Catechin, free ellagic acid, and total ellagic acid had the highest levels in the EtOAc, H₂O, and EtOH extracts, respectively (30.83, 22.38, and 34.95 mg g⁻¹). The EtOAc extract showed the highest free-radical scavenging activity (2.31 trolox equivalents) and anti-influenza effects (IC₅₀ 61.8 and 50.3 µg mL⁻¹) against A/Aichi/2/68 (H3N2) and A/Chicken/05/2005 (H5N1), respectively. Our findings indicate good potential of these extracts for drug design against free-radical damage and influenza virus.