May 16, 2024
Acetylcholine (ACh) is an important neurotransmitter in both the central and peripheral nervous systems, providing communication between two nerve cells. One of the most important features of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is decreased function of neurotransmission, which causes significant cholinergic neuronal abnormalities/losses with decreased choline acetyltransferase levels and accompanying reduced ACh synthesis.
The genus Rosa represents one of the most important genera of Rosaceae family and has 200 species and nearly 20,000 varieties. It has been suggested that the extracts of the plant, particularly those used in perfumery, are also potential sources of antioxidants that can be employed in food preservation. Rosa damascena (Damask rose) is one of the most important fragrant rose species from which essential oils and high-value products may be derived and widely used in traditional medicine to treat fevers, sore throats, and gastrointestinal symptoms. According to the research, Rosa damascena possesses sedative, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant properties. There is also substantial evidence that Rosa damascena extract significantly stimulates neurite growth and prevents amyloid-beta (Aβ) fibrillation and accumulation in the brain.
Different Rosa damascena extracts contain various compounds such as geraniol, citronellol, farnesol, nerol, linalool, citral, eugenol, phenethyl alcohol, myrcene, vitamin C, and bioflavonoids. Flavonoid-rich alcohol extracts of Rosa damascena, for example, are known to participate in many neuroprotective processes that support memory and other cognitive processes. According to recent studies, oral administration of rose essential oil relieved learning and memory impairments in a preclinical model of Alzheimer’s disease. The oil decreased AChE activity (increases acetylcholine levels), and increased M1 mAChR and BDNF levels in the brain. Further evaluation in computer docking models showed that the major constituents of rose essential oil—citronellol, geraniol, and nerol—had good binding activity to M1 mAChR receptors. This suggests that ingesting rose essential oil may help maintain or improve memory and cognitive function.