title: The effects of rose hip (Rosa canina) on plasma antioxidative activity and C-reactive protein in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and normal controls: a prospective cohort study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Rose hip (Rosa canina) has been used as an herbal remedy against a wide range of ailments including inflammatory disorders. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of rose hips have been evaluated in vitro and active constituents have been isolated. Rose hip contains antioxidant nutrients and an anti-inflammatory galactolipid. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease where activated cells release reactive oxygen substances. Thus it could be relevant to investigate if rose hip had an anti-inflammatory and/or antioxidant effect in this situation.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this open case-control study 20 female patients with RA and 10 female controls were given 10.5 g rose hip powder daily (Litozin®) for 28 days. Blood samples were analysed at baseline and follow-up for the capacity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and catalase and the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP). The participants kept a food diary for the first 3 days and the last 3 days of the intervention period. The RA-patients completed The Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire at baseline and follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CRP-concentrations of both patients and healthy controls did not change. Nor was any effect found on the activity of antioxidant enzymes. There was no difference in food intake at baseline, but in the last week the RA-group reduced their energy intake.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  10.5 g Litozin® in 28 days had neither effect on clinical symptoms or laboratory measurements in patients with RA or healthy controls. This is in contrast to previous intervention studies with rose hip powder that found a reduction in the concentration of CRP. The results of the present study indicate that a daily amount of approximately 10 g rose hip powder for one month has no anti-inflammatory and/or antioxidant effect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 30, DK-1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Bente
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kirkeskov
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bügel
authors.forename: Henning
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bliddal
authors.forename: Bente
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Danneskiold-Samsøe
authors.forename: Lars Porskjær
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: Jens Rikardt
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Andersen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D038983:Galactolipids / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D027826:Rosa / Q000737:chemistry*; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D038983:Galactolipids; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D010088:Oxidoreductases