Beyond Beauty: The Potent Dual Action of Rosa damascena in Managing Diabetes and Hyperlipidemia

Introduction: Diabetes and hyperlipidemia are prevalent metabolic disorders that significantly contribute to global morbidity and mortality. Current pharmacological interventions often present limitations, including side effects, poor bioavailability, and high costs. Natural alternatives with fewer adverse effects are increasingly sought, with Rosa damascena (Damask rose) showing promise beyond its traditional use in perfumery and cuisine. The main aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of Rosa damascena distillate in managing alloxan-induced diabetes and high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia in rat models, and to evaluate its potential as a natural alternative for metabolic disorder management. Methods: Forty male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups for each experimental model. For the anti-hyperglycemic study, diabetes was induced via intraperitoneal alloxan injection (120 mg/kg). Treatment groups received either water (disease control), glibenclamide (3 mg/kg), or rose distillate (2.5 or 5 ml/kg) orally for 21 days, with fasting blood glucose monitored at regular intervals. For the anti-hyperlipidemic study, hyperlipidemia was induced via a high-fat diet for two months, followed by 30 days of treatment with either a fat-rich diet alone (disease control), atorvastatin (2 mg/kg), or rose distillate (2.5 or 5 ml/kg), with subsequent serum lipid profile analysis. Results: Rose distillate demonstrated significant dose-dependent anti-hyperglycemic activity, with the higher dose (5 ml/kg) showing superior glycemic control compared to glibenclamide after prolonged administration. By day 21, the higher-dose treatment reduced fasting blood glucose to 116.20±20.72 mg/dL compared to 141.82±8.33 mg/dL with standard treatment. In hyperlipidemic rats, both doses effectively normalized lipid profiles, significantly reducing total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and VLDL levels comparable to atorvastatin therapy, while modestly increasing beneficial HDL cholesterol. No significant differences were observed between the two rose distillate dosage regimens in their anti-hyperlipidemic effects. Discussion: Rosa damascena distillate demonstrates remarkable therapeutic efficacy against both hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia, with mechanisms likely involving antioxidant activity, enzyme inhibition, and metabolic pathway modulation through bioactive constituents including quercetin, kaempferol, eugenol, and citronellol. Conclusion: These findings validate traditional ethnomedicinal applications and position rose distillate as a promising natural intervention for metabolic disorders, warranting further clinical investigation to establish optimal dosing regimens and evaluate long-term safety and efficacy in human populations.