Novel effects of rose damascena extract on dementia patients: a clinical study

We are reviewing a 2018 article in a scientific journal that included results from a clinical study with focus groups of patients with dementia and depression. The study’s authors, including Iranian researcher E. Esfandiari, set out to investigate whether rose damascena extract could help with cognitive decline in patients with dementia. Dementia is a progressive loss of memory, skills, and abilities for daily activities, which significantly impairs independence and quality of life. So the goal of this experiment is not just superficial – the authors want to see if a herbal supplement can support standard treatment.

The study is a clinical, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study involving 40 patients over 55 years old with a diagnosis of dementia. This means that neither the researchers nor the patients know who is receiving the real extract and who is receiving the placebo, which helps to avoid subjective effects. All participants received a standard dementia drug, donepezil, and the intervention group was also given a capsule of Rosa damascena extract.

Several tests were used to measure changes: the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), a tool for assessing general cognitive function, and the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination Revised (ACE-R), a more detailed test that looks at several aspects such as memory, attention, language, and visuospatial abilities. Depression, behavior, and daily activities were also assessed, because dementia often comes with changes in mood and the ability to cope with life.

The results are encouraging. Patients taking rose damascena extract and donepezil showed significant improvements in cognitive tests compared to the group taking a placebo plus donepezil. Specifically, the tests showed statistically significant changes, meaning that the supplement helped memory, attention, or other cognitive abilities. Improvements in depressive symptoms, behavior, and the ability to perform daily activities were also observed.

Safety is an important consideration—no serious adverse effects were reported in the study; the combination of the extract and donepezil was well tolerated. However, the effects are not magically large, and the authors note that the sample size was relatively small, the duration of treatment was limited, and that the findings need to be confirmed in larger, longer-term clinical trials.

What this all means for everyday life

For individuals and families affected by dementia, these results may be encouraging. Rosa damascena supplementation is not a replacement for medication, but it may be a helpful ally—improving attention, memory, mood, and the ability to better cope with daily tasks. Imagine being able to hold on to abilities that otherwise decline for a little longer—that could mean a lot for quality of life.

From a scientific perspective, it is important to remember that the results are from a single study and are specific to a group of patients, with a specific diagnosis and treatment. Not all patients with dementia are the same, and not every supplement will work the same way. Doses, quality of the extract, duration of intake and concomitant conditions (other diseases, medications, general health) can all have an impact.

In this context, the Bulgarian Rosa damascena, known for its traditions and quality, has the potential to offer extracts that could be involved in such clinical scenarios. And Bulgaria can be at the forefront of developing natural supplements, nutritional products and formulas that support cognitive health in older people.

Source: Esfandiary E., et al. Novel Effects of Rosa damascena Extract on Patients with Dementia. 2018. PMC6036771.