Rosehips 'could tackle inflammatory diseases'

Rosehips could provide new ways of tackling a whole range of inflammatory diseases, research suggests.

The red berries, one of the richest sources of vitamin C, have been used in cooking and medicine for hundreds of years.

More recently, a rosehip extract has been shown to reduce pain and improve movement in patients with osteoporosis.

Experts now believe the same rosehip ingredient may combat rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease and even heart disease.

All are conditions in which inflammation plays an important role.

Biochemist Dr Kaj Winther, from Frederiksberg Hospital in Copenhagen, Denmark, who has a special interest in rosehips, said: "There's emerging evidence that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds in rosehips might have quite a wide therapeutic effect. The preliminary findings are very exciting."

A small trial run by Dr Winther showed that a herbal remedy called LitoZin, made from the ground up seeds and shells of hips from the dog rose, Rosa canina, had a big impact on pain suffered by osteoarthritis patients.

More than 80% of the 94 Danish men and women with arthritic hips, knees or hands who took part in the study reported a significant reduction in pain after taking the supplement for three weeks.

They also cut their consumption of standard painkillers, such as paracetamol, by 50%.

The findings, published in the Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology last year, followed a Norwegian study which found that restricted movement caused by osteoarthritis was reduced by 40% in patients taking LitoZin.

Dr Winther is just completing a trial in Berlin and Denmark looking at the effects of LitoZin on 100 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The results are expected in the New Year.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease and more serious than osteoarthritis, which is caused by wear and tear of the joints.

Speaking at the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) World Congress meeting in Prague, Dr Winther said: "It was more positive than I expected. I had phone calls from patients with rheumatoid arthritis who told me it had helped them.

"The pain of their sore joints was reduced, but since rheumatoid arthritis is a more serious disease it was six months before it started to work."

In another preliminary study in Denmark involving about 26 patients, LitoZin was found to alleviate the symptoms of Crohn's disease, an inflammatory bowel disorder.

Its anti-inflammatory effect might also prove helpful against heart disease, although this was less certain, said Dr Winther.

Inflammation is now known to be a key element of the process that leads to hardening and narrowing of the arteries.

Studies had shown that taking LitoZin can reduce levels of C-reactive protein, an inflammation marker linked to cardiovascular disease.

Other diseases that involve inflammation include asthma and psoriasis.

The active anti-inflammatory agent in LitoZin is a patented compound called GOPO. Laboratory tests have shown that it inhibits the migration of white blood cells to sites of tissue damage, which fuels inflammation.

Antioxidants in the rosehip powder may also neutralise toxic substances released by the white blood cells.

Rosehips have been used as a traditional medicine in Europe, the Americas and China to treat arthritis, colds and flu, bladder stones, dry skin and premature ageing.

Vikings used the high vitamin C content of rosehips to stave off scurvy on long sea voyages, During World War II, the Government urged people to grow rosehips as part of the effort to keep the nation healthy.

LitoZin has been sold in Denmark since 1984 and became available in the UK in February this year. end