Rosa damascene has been traditionally used as laxative since far long ago. However, there is little information based on scientific methodology in this regard. In order to assess the possible laxative and prokinetic effects of the boiled extract of Rosa damascene, rats in two groups (n=7) of test or control were gavaged either with the drug or placebo, respectively. The number, weight and water percentage of feces were studied up to 24h. In order to assess the possible drug effects on intestinal secretions or osmotic infiltration of fluids into the gut lumen, the jejunum in anesthetized rats (n=5; pentobarbital sodium: 60mg/kg) was randomly divided into 4cm segments and 0.3ml of boiled extract of Roza damascene, lactulose (as positive control) or placebo (as negative control) was injected in each segment. The volumes of the contents in each segment were measured after 1h. In order to assess the gastrointestinal transit time, rats were deprived from food and were gavaged with either the extract (twice with 18h interval) or placebo. Thirty min following the last medication, all rats were gavaged with phenol red and methyl cellulose (1.5ml). Test and control rats, in groups of 3, were sacrificed at times 30min, 1, 2 and 4h, and the amounts of the phenol red in various parts of the gastrointestinal tract were measured. Boiled extract of Roza damascene significantly increased feces number and its percentage of water, but had no effects on the transit time of intestinal ingesta. The volume of the contents in jejunum segments had significantly increased with the extract or lactulose compared to placebo. Boiled extract of Roza damascene apparently exerts its laxative effects via osmotic infiltration of fluids into the intestine or by increasing intestinal secretions.

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