Antioxidant and anticholinesterase effects of rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) extract: A double-blind randomized controlled trial

Objective

The present study was aimed at investigating the effect of Salvia rosmarinus (syn: Rosmarinus officinalis L.; rosemary) extract on acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) activity and oxidative stress biomarkers in healthy volunteers.

Method

In a double-blind randomized controlled trial, 50 healthy participants (21–25 years old) were divided into two groups: placebo (N = 25) and rosemary (N = 25). The rosemary and placebo groups respectively received rosemary (500 mg rosemary powder) and placebo capsules (500 mg starch powder) twice a day for one month. AChE activity, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), lipid peroxidation, and protein carbonylation were determined in blood samples before and after the trial.

Discussion

Administration of 1000 mg of rosemary for 30 days significantly decreased AChE activity compared to AChE activity before rosemary treatment (p value<0.001) and also in the placebo group (p value<0.01). Notably, administration of rosemary considerably improved TAC (p value<0.01) and protein carbonylation (p value<0.05) compared to those values before rosemary treatment and in the placebo group. After administration of rosemary, no significant changes were observed in lipid peroxidation (p value>0.05) compared to that value before rosemary treatment and in the placebo group.

Conclusion

The findings indicated the inhibitory effect of rosemary on AChE activity and the improvement of non-enzymatic antioxidant defense system. The results may reinforce the use of rosemary as a potential antioxidant supplement. Further evaluations are recommended to find out the effectiveness of rosemary in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.