Rosehip Encyclopedia — Scientific Background

What Is Rosehip?

Rosehip is the fruit of the rose plant (Rosa sp.), particularly Rosa canina L. (dog rose), a deciduous shrub in the Rosaceae family native to Europe, northwest Africa, and western Asia. The fruit is a red-orange, berry-like structure that develops after flowering and contains numerous seeds (achenes) embedded in fine hairs. Rosehips have been discovered to be rich in polyphenols (triterpene acids, flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, catechin), essential fatty acids, galactolipid, folate, vitamin A, C and E, minerals (Ca, Mg, K, S, Si, Se, Mn and Fe), among other bioactive components.

The GOPO® Galactolipid Connection

Much of the anti-inflammatory action of rosehip has been attributed to high quantities of galactolipids. The key compound is GOPO® ((2S)-1,2-di-O-[(9Z,12Z,15Z)-octadeca-9,12,15-trienoyl]-3-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl glycerol), a unique galactolipid that has been identified as the active ingredient in rose hips for the treatment and prevention of inflammatory diseases. A standardised rosehip powder has been developed to maximise the retention of phytochemicals, containing seeds as well as shells, rich in this galactolipid. The production process involves plants grown according to good agricultural practice in standardised fields, with fruits harvested when fully ripe and optimal fruits selected using laser technology to preserve the nutrient content.

Mechanisms of Action

Anti-Inflammatory Pathways — COX-2, 5-LOX, and NF-κB Inhibition

The anti-inflammatory activities of rosehip include the reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, reduction of NF-kB signalling, inhibition of pro-inflammatory enzymes including COX-1/2, 5-LOX and iNOS, reduction of C-reactive protein levels, reduction of chemotaxis and chemoluminescence of PMNs, and an inhibition of pro-inflammatory metalloproteases. Botanical extracts from rosehip suppressed IL-1β-induced NF-κB activation by inhibition of IκBα phosphorylation, IκBα degradation, p65 phosphorylation, and p65 nuclear translocation. These events correlated with downregulation of NF-κB targets including COX-2 and MMPs.

Antioxidant Activity

Rosehip is rich in polyphenolic compounds such as proanthocyanidins and flavonoids such as quercetin and catechin. The high phenolic and flavonoid content of rosehips has been observed to correlate with antioxidant activity, and when rosehip extract containing these phenolics is deprived of vitamin C it still shows considerable antioxidant activity. This activity includes protective effects against oxidative stress, enhanced activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase, and protection of cells from oxidative stress.

Collagen Synthesis and Skin Health

Rosehip extract increases collagen synthesis through the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β)/Smad signalling pathway. Rosa canina extract improved skin hydration and collagen synthesis in UVB-induced photoaging models. Rosehip powder decreases red cell membrane breakdown and hence extends cell longevity. In addition to its dual role as an antioxidant, vitamin C has an essential function in the formation of collagen in the skin. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of blood vessels, bones, cartilage, gums, skin, and teeth.

MMP-1 Inhibition and Joint Protection

Rosehip powder containing seeds and shells rich in the galactolipid GOPO was shown to alleviate pain and stiffness in osteoarthritis and inhibit MMP-1, an enzyme that breaks down collagen. This mechanism directly addresses the cartilage degradation that characterises osteoarthritis progression.

The Bioavailability Challenge

Despite its therapeutic potential, native rosehip extract presents significant bioavailability challenges. Plant-derived bioactive compounds are sensitive to degradation by UV irradiation, heat, and oxygen, and their physiological relevance depends critically on their bioaccessibility following ingestion, not merely on their measured content. Rosehip polyphenols undergo degradation during gastric transit and exhibit limited intestinal permeability.

These limitations have driven the development of advanced delivery systems, including liposomal encapsulation. HPLC analysis evidenced the high potential for liposomal encapsulation to protect sensitive bioactives in the rosehip fruit extract from the degrading effect of UV irradiation. In vitro release studies in simulated gastrointestinal fluids showed that the presence of enzymes and bile salts (in intestinal fluid) enhanced the rosehip-polyphenol permeability from liposomes to 70.3% after 6 hours, compared with their release in water after 24 hours and in gastric fluid after 4 hours (38.9% and 41.4%, respectively).

Liposomal Rosehip

Liposomal encapsulation of rosehip extract provides a fundamentally different delivery mechanism from conventional forms. The phospholipid bilayer surrounds the rosehip polyphenol molecules, forming a protective shell that enhances stability, absorption, and cellular uptake. This delivery system:

• Protects rosehip bioactives from UV irradiation and oxidative degradation

• Achieves 70.3% rosehip-polyphenol permeability in intestinal fluid after 6 hours

• Demonstrates stable vesicle size (250–300 nm) with zeta potential between −21 mV and −30 mV over 60 days

• Enhances bioaccessibility by nearly 2-fold compared to free rosehip extract

• Utilizes the proliposome method, an effective method for rosehip fruit extract liposomal encapsulation

FTIR analysis confirmed that the plant compounds were successfully loaded within the carrier, while no chemical reaction between the rosehip fruit extract and phospholipids was detected. The obtained results indicate that the proliposome method was an effective method for rosehip fruit extract liposomal encapsulation and for the delivery of these plant-derived bioactives in foods.

Clinical Evidence

Osteoarthritis — Randomized Controlled Trial

A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover trial enrolled 94 patients with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee. Forty-seven patients were given 5 g of the herbal remedy daily for a period of 3 months and the remaining patients were given a similar amount of placebo. Rosehip resulted in a significant reduction in WOMAC pain (p<0.014) as compared to placebo when testing after 3 weeks of treatment. The consumption of 'rescue medication' significantly declined as a result of active treatment (p<0.027). WOMAC disability, stiffness, and global assessment of severity of the disease decreased significantly (p<0.018, p<0.038, and p<0.035, respectively) after 3 months of treatment. The data suggest that the present herbal remedy can alleviate symptoms of osteoarthritis and reduce the consumption of 'rescue medication'.

Osteoarthritis — Meta-Analysis

A meta-analysis of three randomized controlled trials involving 287 patients with a median treatment period of 3 months reported that treatment with standardised rosehip powder consistently reduced pain scores and that patients allocated to rosehip powder were twice as likely to respond to rosehip compared to placebo.

Rheumatoid Arthritis — Randomized Controlled Trial

A randomized controlled trial investigated whether standardised powder made from rose-hip can reduce the symptom score in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. In a total of 89 patients (90% female, mean age 56.6 ± 11.3 years, mean disease duration 12.8 ± 9.6 years), the results indicate that patients with RA may benefit from additional treatment with rose hip powder.

Knee Joint Function — Randomized Controlled Trial

A daily intake of rosehip powder for 12 weeks improved important indices of knee joint function and dynamics during walking compared to placebo in persons with knee-related walking limitations.

Safety and Regulatory

Rosehip is generally well tolerated. In contrast to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and aspirin, rosehip has anti-inflammatory actions that do not have ulcerogenic effects and do not inhibit platelets nor influence the coagulation cascade or fibrinolysis. This favourable safety profile makes rosehip particularly suitable for long-term use in joint health management.

Regulatory status varies by region:

• United States — Rosehip extract is regulated as a dietary supplement ingredient. The standardised rosehip powder has been available for more than a decade in Scandinavia as a herbal remedy and is now readily available in Australia and New Zealand under trade names such as Rose-Hip Vital™.

• European Union — Rosehip preparations are regulated and introduced to the market according to their medical or food intended use. The standardised extract has been available in Scandinavia as a herbal remedy.

• Global Standards — Rosehip extract is monographed in the USP, European Pharmacopoeia, and FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius. The product is available with Halal certification, and the manufacturing process is pig-free, with raw materials 100% crops.

Testing protocols must adhere to international standards including USP, European Pharmacopoeia, and FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius. Formulators should verify local regulatory requirements prior to market entry.

This product is intended for research, nutraceutical, and functional food applications. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

89$/KG