Abstract
Rose hip (Rosa Canina), often cultivated for its fruits, are orange-red oval berries, which seeds (including shells) are used in supporting the treatment of bladder infection, diarrhea, diabetes, and related conditions often in the form of a 3-g powdered seeds capsule. Its seed oil contains ascorbic acid, carotenoids, polyphenols, and GOPO, which reduces inflammation and pain, and lowers inflammatory markers. Extraction methods used include solvent extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, and subcritical fluid extraction. Licensed rose hip supplement products include Hyben Vital and LitoZin/i-flex. Hyben Vital dosage is twice daily for 3 to 4 months to reduce osteoarthritic pain and stiffness and improve functioning. Adverse reactions include nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, and fatigue. Contraindication had not been known. It, however, can increase aspirin effects and side effects while its ascorbic acid content, when in large amounts, alter aluminium and estrogen absorption. No studies conducted for safety during pregnancy.
Meanwhile, Chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus), which are used as dried or fresh berries, is used to reduce headache and fever, dispel wind, stimulate perspiration, correct infertility, and reduce premenstrual syndrome. Cultivated in temperate places, its active components (e.g. flavonoids, terpenoids, neolignins, and phenolic compounds) are extracted using the supercritical fluid method. Flavonoids and phenols are antibacterial and antioxidant and can increase bromocriptine action and dopamine agonism. Its standardized dose contains 20 mg of powdered extract sold under the brand Premular and Femicur. A daily morning dose of 20 to 40 mg is considered safe with possible allergic reactions although it is generally well-tolerated. It must be avoided with pregnancy.
Description
Rose hip is a fruit of the wild briar rose or dog rose that appears as orange-red oval berries (Braun and Cohen, 2015).
Indications and history of use
Rose hip syrup was utilized in Great Britain during World War II to help prevent scurvy. Currently, it is used in supporting the treatment such as conditions as bladder infections, diarrhea, and diabetes (Braun and Cohen, 2015).
Cultivation
Rose hip cultivation requires a good control of pests as well as diseases to produce uniform and firm fruits (Folta and Gardiner, 2009).
Extraction methods
Several methods (e.g. traditional solvent extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, and subcritical fluid extraction) can be used for the extraction of the valuable oil from rose hip seeds (Szentmihályi, Vinkler, Lakatos, Illés, and Then, 2002).
Standardisation
Rose hips capsule standardization can vary. However, it is established that a 3-g powder in a capsule has been approved by FDA for dietary supplementation (Petcharat, Wongsuphasawat, Winther, 2015, p. 1851).
Parts used
Seeds and shells (Phetcharat, Wongsuphasawat, Winther, 2015, p. 1849)
Licensing and licensed products
Hyben Vital and LitoZin/i-flex (Medline Plus, 2016)
Active ingredients
Rose hips is rich in ascorbic acid, carotenoids, polyphenols, and a galactolipid called GOPO (Phetcharat, Wongsuphasawat, Winther, 2015, p. 1850).
Mechanism of action
GOPO reduces arthritis inflammation and pain and lowers inflammatory markers (Phetcharat, Wongsuphasawat, Winther, 2015, p. 1850).
Dosage and dosage forms
Dosages vary according to age and health. Hyben Vital can be administered twice daily for 3 to 4 months to reduce the pain and stiffness and improve functioning in osteoarthritis (Medline Plus, 2016).
Side effects and adverse reactions
Rose hip can lead to nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, and fatigue (Medline Plus, 2016).
Contraindications
Proper dosage of rose hips has no known contra-indications (Clark, 2015).
Interactions
Vitamin C can alter the absorption of aluminum (in antacids) and estrogen. Rose hips can decrease the effectiveness of warfarin. Large amounts can increase aspirin effects and side effects (Medline Plus, 2016).
Pregnancy
No studies are available that determine safety in pregnancy (WebMD, 2015).
Chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus)
Description
Chasteberry is usually ripened and used as dried or fresh berries for medical purposes (Braun and Cohen, 2015).
Indications and history of use
Chasteberry berries were of common use in ancient Greece and Rome to enhance celibacy. Currently, it is used to reduce headache and fever, dispel wind, stimulate perspiration, correct infertility, and reduce premenstrual syndrome (Braun and Cohen, 2015).
Cultivation
Chasteberry is cultivated in warm temperate areas around the world (Coates, 2004).
Extraction methods
Supercritical fluid extraction can be used to remove biologically active components in chasteberry (Cossuta et al., 2008).
Standardisation
The standardized Chasteberry extract called Ze 440 contains 20 mg powdered extract (Schellenberg, et al., 2012, p. 6).
Parts used
Fruits (berries)
Licensing and licensed products
Premular and Femicur are licensed for pre-menstrual syndrome. Mastodynon is licensed for the use of infertility (Braun and Cohen, 2015).
Active ingredients
Chasteberry contains flavonoids (e.g. orientin), terpenoids (e.g. viteagnusins A–E), neolignins, and phenolic compounds (Braun and Cohen, 2015).
Mechanism of action
Flavonoid and phenolic compounds have antimicrobial and antioxidant activity (Braun and Cohen, 2015).
Contraindications
Chasteberry is usually considered safe, although allergic reactions may develop (Capasso, Gaginella, Grandolini, and Izzo, 2012).
Interactions
Chasteberry could increase the action of bromocriptine (Jeske, 2009). It has also shown dopamine agonist properties and can interact with drugs having dopamine agonist or dopamine antagonist properties (Edwards, Da Costa Rocha, Williamson, and Heinrich, 2015).
Dosage and dosage forms
Chasteberry extract can be used in the dosage of 20 mg to 40 mg daily in the morning (Jeske, 2009).
Side effects and adverse reactions
Chasteberry has been found well tolerated in clinical trials (Jeske, 2009).
Pregnancy
Chasteberry must not be used in pregnancy (Jeske, 2009).
References
Braun, L. and Cohen, M. (2015) Herbs and Natural Supplements, Volume 2: An Evidence-Based Guide. Maryland Heights, MO: Elsevier Health Sciences APAC.
Capasso, F., Gaginella, T. S., Grandolini, G. and Izzo, A. A. (2012) Phytotherapy: A Quick Reference to Herbal Medicine. Berlin: Springer Berlin Heidelberg.
Clark, D. (2015) Aromatherapy and Herbal Remedies for Pregnancy, Birth, and Breastfeeding. Summertown, TN: Book Publishing Co.
Coates, P. M., Paul, M. C., Blackman, M., Blackman, M. R., Cragg, G. M., Levine, M., White, J. D., Moss, J. and Levine, M. A. (2004) Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements. Abingon, OX: Taylor & Francis.
Cossuta, D., Simándi, B., Vági, E., Hohmann, J., Prechl, A., Lemberkovics, É., Kéry, Á. and Keve, T. (2008) Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Vitex agnus castus Fruit. The Journal of Supercritical Fluids, 47 (1) pp. 188-194.
Edwards, S. E., Da Costa Rocha, I., Williamson, E. M. and Heinrich, M. (2015) Phytopharmacy: An Evidence-Based Guide to Herbal Medicinal Products. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
Folta, K. M. and Gardiner, S. E. (2009) Genetics and Genomics of Rosaceae. New York: Springer New York.
Jeske, A. H. (2009) Mosby's Dental Drug Reference. Maryland Heights, MO: Elsevier Health Sciences.
Medline Plus. (2016). Rose Hip [Online]. [Accessed January 10 2017]. Accessed at: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/839.html: U.S. National Library of Medicine. Available: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/839.html.
Phetcharat, L., Wongsuphasawat, K., and Winther. (2015) The Effectiveness of a Standardized Rose Hip Powder, Containing Seeds and Shells of Rosa canina, on Cell Longevity, Skin Wrinkles, Moisture, and Elasticity. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 10 (1) pp. 1849-1856.
Schellenberg, R., Zimmerman, C., Drewe, J., and Zahner, C. (2012) Dose-dependent Efficacy of the Vitex agnus castus Extract Ze 440 in Patients Suffering from Premenstrual Syndrome. Phytomedicine, 19 (14) pp. 6-11.
Szentmihályi, K., Vinkler, P., Lakatos, B., Illés, V. and Then, M. (2002) Rose hip (Rosa canina L.) Oil Obtained from Waste Hip Seeds by Different Extraction Methods. Bioresource Technology, 82 (1) pp. 195-201.
WebMD. (2015). Rosehip. WebMD. [Last reviewed 30 Jan. 2015] [Accessed 13 January 2017] Accessed at: http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/rosehip-uses-and-risks#2.
