Rosa damascena Methanol Extract Ameliorates Cerulein-Induced Acute Pancreatitis in Mice

Background and objectives: Acute pancreatitis is a severe inflammatory disease with increasing incidence in the population. Rosa damascena Mill. is widely distributed worldwide, and its antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects have been confirmed. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of the methanol extract of R. damascena in an animal model of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis. Methods: Acute pancreatitis was induced in male mice by injection of cerulein (50 μg/kg). Rosa damascena (500, 1000, 2000 and 3000 mg/kg) was pretreated one hour before the first cerulein injection. Serum levels of lipase, amylase, SGOT, SGPT, and malondialdehyde (MDA) as biomarker of lipid peroxidation were measured. To assess pancreatic inflammation, tissue levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and histological analysis were assessed. Results: Cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis was characterized by increased serum enzymatic activities of amylase, lipase, SGOT, SGPT, and lipid peroxidation, and increased tissue levels of TNF-α, accompanied by damage in pancreatic tissue, including massive edema, lymphocytic infiltration and necrotic changes. Administration of R. damascena (3000 mg/kg) significantly reduced serum amylase, lipase, SGOT, SGPT levels, as well as TNF-α and MDA levels. Furthermore, pancreatic tissue damage was improved by R. damascena administration in experimental groups. Conclusion: Treatment with R. damascena ameliorated the severity of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in mice. The results of the present study suggest a promising role for R. damascena in acute pancreatitis.