Ethnopharmacological survey of Rosa L. species from the Vlasina plateau (southeastern Serbia): Comparative phytochemical and pharmacological screening of R. canina, R. corymbifera, and R. dumalis

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the ethnopharmacological use of Rosa spp. on the Vlasina plateau, a rural region in southeastern Serbia with limited healthcare coverage, and to conduct phytochemical and pharmacological analyses of these species. The ethnopharmacological survey was conducted using semi-structured interviews. After identifying the three species utilized (R. dumalis Bechst., R. canina L., and R. corymbifera Borkh.), a phytochemical analysis was performed to assess their vitamin content and phenolic composition using spectrophotometric and UHPLC-MS/MS techniques. Pharmacological activities of rose hips were evaluated through in vitro antimicrobial testing against enteric pathogens, antioxidant activity using DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays, protein denaturation inhibitory activity, and cytotoxic activity against human cervical adenocarcinoma (HeLa) cells. The most frequently cited ethnopharmacological application was for treating chills, followed by dietary use and managing conditions such as diarrhea, dry cough, abdominal pain, and urinary issues. In terms of phenolic phytochemicals, rosmarinic acid predominated among phenolic acids in all three species, whereas catechin was the dominant flavonoid in R. dumalis and isoquercitrin in R. canina and R. corymbifera hips. The highest ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol contents were found in the rose hips of R. dumalis (235.79 and 1.80 mg/100 g FW, respectively). R. dumalis exhibited the highest radical scavenging, protein denaturation inhibitory, and cytotoxic activities, while all three species showed mild antimicrobial activity. The study provides valuable insights into the potential health benefits of Rosa species but is limited by its reliance on traditional knowledge and laboratory tests. Therefore, future research should focus on clinical trials to confirm their efficacy and safety. Overall, the results could pave the way for developing innovative pharmaceutical and nutritional products inspired by traditional knowledge.