title: Effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Rosa damascena on cardiovascular responses in normotensive rat.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Rosa damascena mill L. (R. damascena) is a well-known plant with fragrant effects. Several therapeutic effects of this plant on respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems have been reported. It is also suggested to have beneficial effect on cardiovascular system especially blood pressure regulation. The present study was carried out to evaluate acute cardiovascular effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of R. damascena.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (n= 8 for each group). After anesthesia, a catheter was inserted into the femoral artery and blood pressure and heart rate (HR) were continuously recorded by a power lab system. Animals received three doses of hydro-alcoholic extract (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg) via peritoneal (i.p). After 30 min, systolic blood pressure (SBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and HR were recorded and maximal changes were compared to control group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Injection of all doses of the extract did not significantly change HR compare to control group. The SBP, dose dependently, was decreased by all doses of the extract and the maximal response was significant compared to saline group (p<0.01 to p<0.001). Different doses of the extract also dose-dependently decreased maximal changes of MAP responses compared to control group. The effect of higher doses of the extract on SBP and MAP was significant compared to lower doses (p<0.05 to p<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides evidence of a hypotensive effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of R. damascena with no significant effect on HR. Therefore, R. damascena is suggested to have beneficial effect to control blood pressure. However, it needs to be more investigated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baniasad
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
authors.forename: Abolfazl
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khajavirad
authors.affiliation: Neurocognitive Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hosseini
authors.affiliation: Neurogenic Inflammation Research Centre, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Naser
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Shafei
authors.affiliation:   Pharmacological Research Center of Medicinal Plants, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Saeed
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aminzadah
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ghavi
keywords: Blood pressure; Heart rate; Rat; Rosa damascene