Diverse Properties of Rosmarinic Acid: From Herbal Material to Therapeutic Administration Routes

General Description

Rosmarinic acid, a phenolic compound found in various plants, plays a vital role in plant defense mechanisms and offers potential health benefits for humans. It is commonly extracted from plant materials using different techniques, with its content varying among species. The compound can be administered through multiple routes, including oral intake, topical application for dermatological benefits, intranasal delivery for central nervous system targeting, pulmonary application for respiratory conditions, ocular application for eye diseases, and intravenous administration. These diverse administration routes leverage the therapeutic properties of rosmarinic acid for a range of health applications in both traditional and modern medicine.

Figure 1. Rosmarinic acid

Overview

Rosmarinic acid is a natural compound present in a wide variety of plants, with its name derived from the herb rosemary, in which it was originally discovered. It is not limited to rosemary, however, as it can also be found in other plants within the Lamiaceae family, such as sage, mint, thyme, lemon balm, basil, and oregano, as well as in plants from diverse families including Boraginaceae, Apiaceae, Araliaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Rubiaceae, Plantaginaceae, Polygonaceae, hornworts, ferns, and sea grasses. Chemically, rosmarinic acid is classified as a phenolic secondary biomolecule, and it is an ester of caffeic acid and (R)-(+)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)lactic acid, both of which originate from amino acids L-phenylalanine and L-tyrosine, respectively. This compound plays a significant role in the defense mechanisms of plants and has garnered attention due to its potential health benefits for humans. The widespread presence of rosmarinic acid in various plant species highlights its importance and potential applications in both the pharmaceutical and food industries. ¹

Rosmarinic Acid in Herbal Material

Importance in Herbal Materials

Rosmarinic acid is a significant compound found in herbal materials and is frequently detected through chemical profiling studies of plant extracts. These extracts are often obtained using various mediums, with alcoholic extracts being particularly common. The extraction process for rosmarinic acid typically involves cold maceration or heat-assisted techniques, with durations ranging from 10 minutes to 30 days. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with different detectors is the standard method used for analyzing these extracts. The content of rosmarinic acid can vary significantly among species within the same genus, subspecies, and even samples collected at different times of the year.

Significance of Precise Quantification for Research Validity

Despite this variability, the amount of rosmarinic acid is a crucial parameter for assessing the quality of herbal drugs. For instance, lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) and rosemary leaves are expected to contain at least 4% and 3% of total hydroxycinnamic acids expressed as rosmarinic acid, respectively. Although many medicinal plants, particularly those in the Nepetoideae subfamily of the Lamiaceae family, are reliable sources of rosmarinic acid, the quantity can vary widely. Therefore, precise quantification of rosmarinic acid in herbal material is essential before conducting any in vitro or clinical investigations. This ensures the reliability and consistency of the studies involving rosmarinic acid. ²

Routes of Administration

Rosmarinic Acid is a versatile compound with multiple routes of administration, each tailored to leverage its therapeutic properties. 

Peroral Intake

One common method is peroral intake, where Rosmarinic Acid is consumed through spices and herbal teas derived from plants in the Lamiaceae family. This route is popular due to the widespread use of these plants in culinary and medicinal contexts. 

Topical application

Topical application is another significant route for Rosmarinic Acid, especially noted for its antiviral and dermatological benefits. For instance, formulations like niosomal gels containing 3% Rosmarinic Acid have shown efficacy in reducing acne-related bacterial growth and inflammation. Additionally, topical application is explored for skin aging prevention due to its inhibitory effects on enzymes like elastase and collagenase. 

Intranasal, Pulmonary, and Ocular Application

Intranasal administration of Rosmarinic Acid via solid lipid nanoparticles has demonstrated potential for targeting central nervous system diseases. This noninvasive method has shown promising results in animal studies, such as those focusing on Huntington's disease. Pulmonary application is another innovative route where Rosmarinic Acid exhibits rapid absorption when delivered through microspray. This method holds particular promise for treating respiratory conditions that require swift therapeutic action. Ocular application of Rosmarinic Acid is also under research, with studies on human retina and cornea cell lines indicating its potential in treating eye diseases. Chitosan-based nanoparticles containing Rosmarinic Acid have shown encouraging results, warranting further investigation.

 Intravenous Administration

Lastly, intravenous administration of Rosmarinic Acid, particularly in mixtures with other compounds like lithospermic acid, has been validated for safety and effectiveness. This method aligns with traditional uses in Chinese medicine, particularly for cardiac and pulmonary events. In summary, Rosmarinic Acid can be administered orally, topically, intranasally, pulmonarily, ocularly, and intravenously, each route offering unique advantages for various therapeutic applications. ³

Reference

1. Petersen M, Abdullah Y, Benner J, Eberle D, Gehlen K, Hucherig S, Janiak V, Kim KH, Sander M, Weitzel C, Wolters S. Evolution of rosmarinic acid biosynthesis. Phytochemistry. 2009; 70: 1663–1679.

2. Amoah SK, Sandjo LP, Kratz JM, Biavatti MW. Rosmarinic acid–pharmaceutical and clinical aspects. Planta Med. 2016; 82: 388–406

3. Hitl M, Kladar N, Gavari? N, Bo?in B. Rosmarinic Acid-Human Pharmacokinetics and Health Benefits. Planta Med. 2021; 87(4): 273-282.

You may like