Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer
Plant Science Today (PST)

Review Articles

Vol. 12 No. 3 (2025)

A comprehensive review on phytochemistry, pharmacology and therapeutic applications of Rosa damascena Mill.

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.8344
Submitted
18 March 2025
Published
19-07-2025 — Updated on 29-07-2025
Versions

Abstract

Rosa damascena, commonly known as the Damask rose, is a plant of beauty and medicinal significance. This review explores its botanical characteristics, chemical composition and diverse pharmacological activities. Rosa damascena rich in phytochemicals like anthocyanins, flavonoids and essential oils and demonstrates a wide range of therapeutic properties. Studies have shown its potential in antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory applications. The plant also shows promise in promoting cardiovascular health, respiratory issues and neurological functions. Its relaxing and soothing properties make it valuable in aromatherapy and stress management. Clinical studies support its efficacy in treating conditions such as sexual dysfunction, pain and apnea in premature newborns. While current evidence is promising, further research is needed to fully understand its mechanisms of action, optimize dosages and explore potential drug interactions. This comprehensive review underscores the significant therapeutic potential of Rosa damascena in complementary and alternative medicine.

References

  1. 1. El Malahi S, Ganoudi M, Daoud S, Hassani LMIJIJoA, Research E. From fragrance to fortune: unveiling the botanical, socioeconomic, and global significance of Rosa damascena. 2024;10(6):913-33. https://doi.org/10.51193/IJAER.2024.10608
  2. 2. Meyer WJ. Persistence of memory: Scent gardens for therapeutic life review in communities for the elderly: The University of Texas at Arlington; 2007.
  3. 3. Morley S. By any other name: a cultural history of the rose: Simon and Schuster; 2021.
  4. 4. Boskabady MH, Shafei MN, Saberi Z, Amini S. Pharmacological effects of Rosa damascena. Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences. 2011;14(4):295.
  5. 5. Davoodi I, Rahimi R, Abdollahi M, Farzaei F, Farzaei MH, Memariani Z, et al. Promising effect of Rosa damascena extract on high-fat diet-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine. 2017;7(4):508-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcme.2017.01.008
  6. 6. Loghmani-Khouzani H. Essential oil composition of Rosa damascena Mill cultivated in central Iran. Scientia Iranica. 2007;14(4).
  7. 7. Mahboubi M. Rosa damascena as holy ancient herb with novel applications. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine. 2016;6(1):10-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcme.2015.09.005
  8. 8. Sedighi M, Rafieian-Kopaei M, Noori-Ahmadabadi M, Godarzi I, Baradaran A. In vitro impact of hydro-alcoholic extract of Rosa damascena Mill. on rat ileum contractions and the mechanisms involved. International Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2014;5(6):767.
  9. 9. Pal B. The rose–its beauty and its science. Interdisciplinary Science Reviews. 1987;12(1):77-88. https://doi.org/10.1179/isr.1987.12.1.77
  10. 10. Chevallier A. The encyclopedia of medicinal plants. 1996.
  11. 11. Basim E, Basim H. Antibacterial activity of Rosa damascena essential oil. Fitoterapia. 2003;74(4):394-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(03)00044-3
  12. 12. Libster M, Duke JA. Delmar's integrative herb guide for nurses. 2002.
  13. 13. Akram M, Riaz M, Munir N, Akhter N, Zafar S, Jabeen F, et al. Chemical constituents, experimental and clinical pharmacology of Rosa damascena: a literature review. 2020;72(2):161-74. https://doi.org/10.1111/jphp.13185
  14. 14. Nayebi N, Khalili N, Kamalinejad M, Emtiazy MJCtim. A systematic review of the efficacy and safety of Rosa damascena Mill. with an overview on its phytopharmacological properties. 2017;34:129-40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2017.08.014
  15. 15. Kumar N, Singh B, Kaul VK. Flavonoids from Rosa damascena mill. Natural Product Communications. 2006;1(8):1934578X0600100805. https://doi.org/10.1177/1934578X0600100805
  16. 16. Oka N, Ikegami A, Ohki M, Sakata K, Yagi A, Watanabe N. Citronellyl disaccharide glycoside as an aroma precursor from rose flowers. Phytochemistry. 1998;47(8):1527-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00526-8
  17. 17. Buckle J. Clinical aromatherapy in nursing. 1997.
  18. 18. Green M. The rose. Aromatic thymes. 1999;7:11-5.
  19. 19. Mahmood N, Piacente S, Pizza C, Burke A, Khan AI, Hay AJ. The anti-HIV activity and mechanisms of action of pure compounds isolated from Rosa damascena. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 1996;229(1):73-9. https://doi.org/10.1006/bbrc.1996.1759
  20. 20. Yasa N, Masoumi F, Rouhani RS, Haji AA. Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of the extract and essential oil of Rosa damascena from Iran, population of Guilan. 2009.
  21. 21. Kwon EK, Lee DY, Lee H, Kim DO, Baek NI, Kim YE, et al. Flavonoids from the buds of Rosa damascena inhibit the activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme a reductase and angiotensin I-converting enzyme. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2010;58(2):882-6. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf903515f
  22. 22. Butterweck V, Jürgenliemk G, Nahrstedt A, Winterhoff H. Flavonoids from Hypericum perforatum show antidepressant activity in the forced swimming test. Planta Medica. 2000;66(01):3-6. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2000-11119
  23. 23. Dolati K, Rakhshandeh H, Shafei MN. Evaluation of antidepressant effect of ethanolic extract of Rosa damascena using forced swimming test. 2012.
  24. 24. AKh A, Zaichkina S, RKh R, Ganassi E. The protective action of a natural preparation of anthocyan (pelargonidin-3, 5-diglucoside). Radiobiologiia. 1993;33(3):433-5.
  25. 25. Mohammadpour T, Hosseini M, Naderi A, Karami R, Sadeghnia HR, Soukhtanloo M, et al. Protection against brain tissues oxidative damage as a possible mechanism for the beneficial effects of Rosa damascena hydroalcoholic extract on scopolamine induced memory impairment in rats. 2015;18(7):329-36. https://doi.org/10.1179/1476830514Y.0000000137
  26. 26. Tofighi Z, Molazem M, Doostdar B, Taban P, Shahverdi AR, Samadi N, et al. Antimicrobial activities of three medicinal plants and investigation of flavonoids of Tripleurospermum disciforme. Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research: IJPR. 2015;14(1):225.
  27. 27. Zu Y, Yu H, Liang L, Fu Y, Efferth T, Liu X, et al. Activities of ten essential oils towards Propionibacterium acnes and PC-3, A-549 and MCF-7 cancer cells. Molecules. 2010;15(5):3200-10. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules15053200
  28. 28. Ulusoy S, Boşgelmez-Tınaz G, Seçilmiş-Canbay H. Tocopherol, carotene, phenolic contents and antibacterial properties of rose essential oil, hydrosol and absolute. Current Microbiology. 2009;59:554-8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-009-9475-y
  29. 29. Batool R, Kalsoom A, Akbar I, Arshad N, Jamil N. Antilisterial effect of Rosa damascena and Nymphaea alba in Mus musculus. BioMed Research International. 2018;2018(1):4543723. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/4543723
  30. 30. Sharma M, Shakya A, Sharma N, Shrivastava S, Shukla S. Therapeutic efficacy of Rosa damascena Mill. on acetaminophen-induced oxidative stress in albino rats. Journal of Environmental Pathology, Toxicology and Oncology. 2012;31(3). https://doi.org/10.1615/JEnvironPatholToxicolOncol.v31.i3.10
  31. 31. Kalim MD, Bhattacharyya D, Banerjee A, Chattopadhyay S. Oxidative DNA damage preventive activity and antioxidant potential of plants used in Unani system of medicine. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2010;10:1-11. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-10-77
  32. 32. Kumar N, Bhandari P, Singh B, Bari SS. Antioxidant activity and ultra-performance LC-electrospray ionization-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry for phenolics-based fingerprinting of Rose species: Rosa damascena, Rosa bourboniana and Rosa brunonii. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 2009;47(2):361-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2008.11.036
  33. 33. Awale S, Tohda C, Tezuka Y, Miyazaki M, Kadota S. [Retracted] Protective effects of Rosa damascena and its active constituent on Aβ (25–35)‐induced neuritic atrophy. Evidence‐Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2011;2011(1):131042. https://doi.org/10.1093/ecam/nep149
  34. 34. Gholamhoseinian A, Fallah H. Inhibitory effect of methanol extract of Rosa damascena Mill. flowers on α-glucosidase activity and postprandial hyperglycemia in normal and diabetic rats. Phytomedicine. 2009;16(10):935-41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2009.02.020
  35. 35. Willems EW, Trion M, De Vries P, Heiligers JP, Villalón CM, Saxena PRJBjop. Pharmacological evidence that α1‐and α2‐adrenoceptors mediate vasoconstriction of carotid arteriovenous anastomoses in anaesthetized pigs. 1999;127(5):1263-71. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bjp.0702655
  36. 36. Bikmoradi A, Harorani M, Roshanaei G, Moradkhani S, Falahinia GH. The effect of inhalation aromatherapy with damask rose (Rosa damascena) essence on the pain intensity after dressing in patients with burns: A clinical randomized trial. Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research. 2016;21(3):247-54. https://doi.org/10.4103/1735-9066.180380
  37. 37. Marofi M, Sirousfard M, Moeini M, Ghanadi A. Evaluation of the effect of aromatherapy with Rosa damascena Mill. on postoperative pain intensity in hospitalized children in selected hospitals affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2013: A randomized clinical trial. Iranian journal of nursing and midwifery research. 2015;20(2):247-54.
  38. 38. Rakhshandah H, Boskabadi M, Mousavi Z, Gholami M, Saberi Z. The differences in the relaxant effects of different fractions of Rosa damascena on guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle. 2010.
  39. 39. Boskabady MH, Vatanprast A, Parsee H, Ghasemzadeh M. Effect of aqueous-ethanolic extract from Rosa damascena on guinea pig isolated heart. 2011.
  40. 40. Mohamed M, Aly M, Mostafa G, HR AA. Inducing phenotypic variation on Chrysanthemum morifolium plants using sodium azide.
  41. 41. Igarashi M, Ikei H, Song C, Miyazaki Y. Effects of olfactory stimulation with rose and orange oil on prefrontal cortex activity. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2014;22(6):1027-31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2014.09.003
  42. 42. Hongratanaworakit T. Relaxing effect of rose oil on humans. Natural Product Communications. 2009;4(2):1934578X0900400226. https://doi.org/10.1177/1934578X0900400226
  43. 43. Mohammadpour T, Hosseini M, Naderi A, Karami R, Sadeghnia HR, Soukhtanloo M, et al. Protection against brain tissues oxidative damage as a possible mechanism for the beneficial effects of Rosa damascena hydroalcoholic extract on scopolamine induced memory impairment in rats. Nutritional Neuroscience. 2015;18(7):329-36. https://doi.org/10.1179/1476830514Y.0000000137
  44. 44. Gholamhoseinian A, Shahouzehi B, Joukar S, Iranpoor M. Effect of Quercus infectoria and Rosa damascena on lipid profile and atherosclerotic plaque formation in rabbit model of hyperlipidemia. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences: PJBS. 2012;15(1):27-33. ttps://doi.org/10.3923/pjbs.2012.27.33
  45. 45. Joukar S, Askarzadeh M, Shahouzehi B, Najafipour H, Fathpour H. Assessment of safety and therapeutic efficacy of Rosa damascena L. and Quercus infectoria on cardiovascular performance of normal and hyperlipidemic rabbits: physiologically based approach. Journal of Toxicology. 2013;2013(1):769143. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/769143
  46. 46. Baniasad A, Khajavirad A, Hosseini M, Shafei MN, Aminzadah S, Ghavi M. Effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Rosa damascena on cardiovascular responses in normotensive rat. Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine. 2015;5(4):319.
  47. 47. Rakotonirina VS, Bum EN, Rakotonirina A, Bopelet M. Sedative properties of the decoction of the rhizome of Cyperus articulatus. Fitoterapia. 2001;72(1):22-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(00)00243-4
  48. 48. Nyeem A, Alam M, Awal M, Mostafa M, Uddin S, Islam N, et al. CNS depressant effect of the crude ethanolic extract of the flowering tops of Rosa damascena. 2006.
  49. 49. Memariani Z, Hajimahmoodi M, Minaee B, Khodagholi F, Yans A, Rahimi R, et al. Protective effect of a polyherbal traditional formula consisting of Rosa damascena Mill., Glycyrrhiza glabra L. and Nardostachys jatamansi DC., against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer. Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research: IJPR. 2017;16(2):694.
  50. 50. Atarzadeh F, Jaladat AM, Daneshfard B, Dastgheib L, Kamalinejad M, Amin G. A review on botanicals with wound healing activity for pemphigus vulgaris: perspective of traditional Persian medicine and conventional medicine. Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine. 2017;7(6):486. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eujim.2016.08.017
  51. 51. Homayoun M, Seghatoleslam M, Pourzaki M, Shafieian R, Hosseini M, Bideskan AE. Anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects of Rosa damascena hydro-alcoholic extract on rat hippocampus. Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine. 2015;5(3):260.
  52. 52. Bargi R, Asgharzadeh F, Hoseini M, Sadeghnia H, Rakhshandeh H. Effect of Rosa Damascena extracts on pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures in mice. Medical Journal of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. 2016;59.
  53. 53. Latifi G, Ghannadi A, Minaiyan M. Anti-inflammatory effect of volatile oil and hydroalcoholic extract of Rosa damascena Mill. on acetic acid-induced colitis in rats. Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2015;10(6):514-22.
  54. 54. Sadraei H, Asghari G, Emami S. Inhibitory effect of Rosa damascena Mill flower essential oil, geraniol and citronellol on rat ileum contraction. Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2013;8(1):17.
  55. 55. Rakhshandah H, Hosseini M, Dolati K. Hypnotic effect of Rosa damascena in mice. Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. 2004;3(3):181-5.
  56. 56. Mirshafa S-A, Azadbakht M, Ahangar N. Study of antidepressant and sedative-hypnotic activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Asperugo procumbens L. aerial parts in mice. Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research: IJPR. 2013;12(3):529.
  57. 57. Farnia V, Tatari F, Alikhani M, Shakeri J, Taghizadeh M, Karbasizadeh H, et al. Rosa Damascena oil improved sexual function and testosterone in male patients with opium use disorder under methadone maintenance therapy–results from a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 2017;176:117-25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.02.008
  58. 58. Shirazi M, Mohebitabar S, Bioos S, Yekaninejad MS, Rahimi R, Shahpiri Z, et al. The effect of topical Rosa damascena (rose) oil on pregnancy-related low back pain: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine. 2017;22(1):120-6. https://doi.org/10.1177/2156587216654601
  59. 59. Farnia V, Hojatitabar S, Shakeri J, Rezaei M, Yazdchi K, Bajoghli H, et al. Adjuvant Rosa damascena has a small effect on SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction in female patients suffering from MDD. Pharmacopsychiatry. 2015;48(04/05):156-63. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0035-1554712
  60. 60. Bani S, Hasanpour S, Mousavi Z, Garehbaghi PM, Gojazadeh M. The effect of Rosa damascena extract on primary dysmenorrhea: a double-blind cross-over clinical trial. Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal. 2014;16(1). https://doi.org/10.5812/ircmj.14643
  61. 61. Gharabaghi PM, Tabatabei F, Fard SA, Sayyah-Melli M, Ouladesahebmadarek E, Del Azar A, et al. Evaluation of the effect of preemptive administration of Rosa damascena extract on post-operative pain in elective cesarean sections. African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology. 2011;5(16):1950-5. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJPP11.054
  62. 62. Aghagoli S, Salimi A, Salimi M, Ghazavi Z, Marofi M, Mohammadbeigi A. Aromatherapy with Rosa damascenes in apnea, bradycardia and Spo2 of preterm infants; a randomized clinical trial. International Journal of Pediatrics. 2016;4(6):1911-8.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.