Rosa laevigata

Rosa laevigata (Cherokee Rose / Jin Ying Zi): A Comprehensive Reference

1. Identity and Botanical Description

1.1 Taxonomy and Accepted Names

Rosa laevigata Michx., commonly known as the Cherokee rose, is a species of vigorous climbing shrub in the rose family (Rosaceae), native to southern China, Taiwan, and northern Vietnam. The accepted binomial name is Rosa laevigata Michx., formally described and published by French botanist André Michaux in volume 1 of Flora Boreali-Americana, page 295, in 1803. Synonyms recorded in the literature include Rosa sinica W.T. Aiton and Rosa trifoliata Bosc. In Chinese traditional medicine, the plant is referred to by the names Jin Ying Zi (金樱子, referring to the fruit) and Jin Ying Gen (金樱根, referring to the root). It is recorded in the Compendium of Materia Medica of the Ming Dynasty, noting that R. laevigata can be used as medicine and can secure essence and reduce urination.

1.2 Botanical Description

It is an evergreen climbing shrub, scrambling over other shrubs and small trees to heights of up to 5–10 metres. The leaves are 3–10 centimetres long, with usually three leaflets, sometimes five leaflets, bright glossy green and glabrous. The flowers are 6–10 centimetres in diameter, fragrant, with pure white petals and yellow stamens, and are followed by bright red and bristly hips 2–4 centimetres in diameter. Flora of China describes it as an evergreen climbing shrub approximately 5 m tall, with branchlets that are stout and glabrous. The leaflets are leathery, usually three but more rarely five, and are 5–10 cm long with petioles.

1.3 Geographical Distribution

It is typically found in sunny environments such as mountain fields, field margins, and along streams, at elevations ranging from 200 to 1,600 metres. In Tibet, its distribution is primarily confined to the sunny mountainous regions of southern Tibet, where it occurs at higher altitudes between 1,500 and 3,500 metres. It is widely distributed in the eastern, central-southern, and southwestern regions of China. It is an invasive species in countries including Australia, Japan, and the United States. Originally introduced to the southeastern United States in the early 1800s as an ornamental, it has since naturalized and become invasive in regions such as Georgia, Texas, and Florida, where its rapid growth forms dense, thorny thickets that outcompete and smother native plants.

1.4 Medicinal Parts and Common Preparations

R. laevigata belongs to the Rosaceae family and is a widely used plant in China. Its different parts are used as herbs in Chinese medicine; its flowers, leaves, and stems have different applications, but the main parts used are its fruits and roots, which constitute the two most important medicines in Chinese practice. R. laevigata is divided into many types of herbs according to its different medicinal parts, and among these the two most used are: Fructus R. laevigata and Radix R. laevigata.

• Fructus Rosae Laevigatae (Jin Ying Zi): the dried ripe fruit of the Rosaceae plant that is often called Prickly Elm. This is the part most commonly encountered in supplements, decoctions, syrups, and standardised extracts.
• Radix Rosae Laevigatae (Jin Ying Gen): the root, also known as Tuogudan, first recorded in the Ri Hua Zi Ben Cao; it is described as flat and non-toxic.
• Leaves: The leaves are widely used as a traditional Chinese folk medicine for the treatment of skin tumours, burns, and ulcers.

Among Rosa species, only R. rugosa and R. laevigata belong to the category of medicine and food homologous plants — meaning the plant is used both as a food source and a medicinal herb under Chinese regulatory frameworks. The fruit is consumed fresh, as fruit wine, in teas, as honey-based syrups (called Jin Ying Gao in TCM practice), and in dried, powdered, or standardised extract forms.

2. Traditional and Historical Use

2.1 Documentation in Chinese Medicine

Rosa laevigata Michx. was first published in the Shu Ben Cao (Han, Five Dynasties) written by Han Baosheng during 935–960 AD (Later Shu of the Five Dynasties). R. laevigata has a history of applications in traditional Chinese medicine, with its initial documentation dating back to between 935 and 960 AD. Fructus R. laevigata was first recorded in the Shu Ben Cao and is now included in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. It has also been recorded in the Compendium of Materia Medica of the Ming Dynasty.

2.2 Traditional Indications: Fructus (Jin Ying Zi)

In the framework of traditional Chinese medicine, Jin Ying Zi belongs to the kidney, bladder, and large intestine meridians. It has the effects of consolidating the essence and shrinking of urine, consolidating the collapse and stopping discharge, as well as astringent actions on the intestines and stopping diarrhea. It is mainly used for spermatorrhea, frequent enuresis, metrorrhagia, and diarrhea.

Within Chinese traditional medicine, the fruit has been traditionally associated with effects such as consolidating "essence", reducing frequent urination, addressing metrorrhagia, and acting as an astringent in the intestines to manage diarrhea. These fruits are listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia for the treatment of chronic urinary tract infections, wet dreams, urinary incontinence, uterine prolapses, menstrual irregularities, and leucorrhea.

2.3 Traditional Indications: Radix (Jin Ying Gen)

Radix R. laevigata (JinYingGen), also known as Tuogudan, was first recorded in the Ri Hua Zi Ben Cao; it is described as flat and non-toxic. It is used to strengthen the essence and astringe the intestines as well as in the treatment of spermatorrhea, enuresis, dysentery, diarrhea, metrorrhagia, uterine prolapse, hemorrhoids, and scalding.

The root has been traditionally used to strengthen "essence", for intestinal astringent purposes, and in the treatment of conditions such as spermatorrhea, enuresis, dysentery, diarrhea, metrorrhagia, uterine prolapse, hemorrhoids, and burns.

2.4 Use in Proprietary Traditional Chinese Medicine Products

The roots of R. laevigata are used as raw materials in San Jin tablets and gynaecological Qian Jin tablets for the treatment of diseases related to gynaecological infections. The roots have been exploited commercially as crucial constituents of famous proprietary traditional Chinese medicines such as San-Jin-Pian, Jin-Ji-Jiao-Nang, and Fu-ke-Qian-Jin-Pian, which have been approved for the treatment of gynecological infection and diseases of the urinary system. It is also used as a raw material in Chinese medicines for the clinical treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease and diabetic cataract.

3. Key Constituents and Active Compounds

3.1 Overview of Phytochemical Profile

The Chinese herb R. laevigata Michx. can be divided into two important medicines — Fructus R. laevigata and Radix R. laevigata — from which approximately 148 chemical components have been isolated, including flavonoids, lignans, polyphenols, steroids, triterpenoids, tannins as well as other components. A parallel review characterised approximately 123 chemical ingredients covering triterpenoids, flavonoids, tannins, lignans, and polysaccharides from various parts of this species.

Its primary components include polysaccharides, triterpenoid acids, vitamin C, steroids, polyphenols, and saponins. In addition, Fructus R. laevigata and Radix R. laevigata also contain lignans, phenols, catechins, benzoic acid derivatives, sterols, stilbene compounds, polysaccharides, and other compounds including glucose.

3.2 Triterpenoids

Among the isolates, 77 triterpenoids have been identified and are thus regarded as the primary and characteristic substance class. Based on chemical structures, most of the obtained triterpenoids can be classified into polyhydroxy triterpenoids and readily divided into four categories: ursane-type, oleanane-type, lupinane-type, as well as seco-triterpenoids.

A study examining the root fraction identified a number of structurally distinct triterpenoids. 12 constituents were isolated and identified, including pomonic acid, swinhoeic acid, myrianthic acid, tormentic acid, arjunic acid, and related hydroxy-ursane and oleanane derivatives. Characteristic nortriterpenoids have also been identified: Rosanortriterpenes A–B (RTA and RTB), two nortriterpenoids, are characteristic constituents in the fruits of Rosa laevigata var. leiocapus.

3.3 Flavonoids

Flavonoids are among the most pharmacologically studied compound classes in R. laevigata. The antioxidant activity exhibited by R. laevigata depends on its ability to scavenge free radicals and cause the reduction of metal ions. Studies have shown that Fructus R. laevigata is rich in total flavonoids, a component closely associated with antioxidant activity. Specific flavonoids identified include rutin and quercetin. Rutin and quercetin, two flavonoid active components of Fructus R. laevigata, were shown to exert inhibitory effects on the proliferation of human hepatoma cells BEL-7402 cultured in vitro, with rutin and quercetin having IC50 values of 29.91 ± 3.05 and 7.625 ± 2.02 μmol/L, respectively.

3.4 Polysaccharides

Polysaccharides are crucial components of R. laevigata and have increasingly become the focus of research due to their biological activity. Multiple structurally distinct polysaccharides have been characterised from the fruit. RLPa-2 (Mw 15.6 kDa) is a polysaccharide isolated from Rosa laevigata Michx. It consists of arabinose, galactose, rhamnose, glucose, xylose, and galacturonic acid. Structural characterisation was performed by methylation and NMR analysis. Three novel low molecular weight polysaccharides (RLP-1a, RLP-2a, and RLP-3a) with molecular weights of 9,004, 8,761, and 7,571 Da were obtained by purifying the crude polysaccharides from the fruits. Two novel homogeneous selenium-containing polysaccharides from R. laevigata Michx fruits (Se-RLFPs) could modulate oxidative stress by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

3.5 Tannins and Saponins

Tannins represent a significant structural category within both the fruit and root fractions and contribute substantially to the astringent properties attributed to the plant in traditional use. Total saponins (RLTS) from the fruit have also been studied for hepatoprotective activity, as discussed in Section 4 below. Twelve identical chemical components are present in both the fruit and root preparations, and these include triterpenes, flavonoids, tannins, lignans, phenolics, and other compounds.

4. Scientific Evidence by Area of Use

Important note on evidence quality: The overwhelming majority of pharmacological research on R. laevigata has been conducted in cell-based (in vitro) systems and animal models (in vivo). No large-scale, randomised controlled clinical trials in humans have been published in the peer-reviewed literature reviewed here. Each subsection below specifies the type of evidence available.

4.1 Antioxidant Activity

Evidence type: In vitro and animal studies.

Flavonoids and polysaccharides in R. laevigata can prevent the excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inhibit the occurrence of oxidative stress. Extracts from R. laevigata have been reported to effectively alleviate oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammatory reactions.

In a study of LPS-induced liver injury in mice, the total flavonoids markedly reduced serum ALT, AST, total triglyceride, and total cholesterol levels and improved liver pathological changes. In addition, the total flavonoids markedly decreased tissue malondialdehyde level and increased the levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. The proposed mechanism involved a significant increase in the expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1, GCLC, and GCLM and decreased Keap1 level by activating FXR against oxidative stress.

Selenium-containing polysaccharides from R. laevigata Michx fruits (Se-RLFPs) could modulate oxidative stress by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. Evidence in this area is preliminary — all studies are preclinical, and no human antioxidant biomarker trials have been conducted.

4.2 Anti-inflammatory Activity

Evidence type: In vitro and animal studies; no human trials identified.

Laevigin D, 19α-hydroxy-asiatic acid, euscaphic acid, and myrianthic acid from R. laevigata leaves have been shown to suppress NF-κB transcriptional activity. In cell models, the characteristic nortriterpenoids RTA and RTB showed notable anti-inflammatory effects: RTA and RTB inhibited the production of nitric oxide, TNF-α, and IL-6, and suppressed liver fibrosis. RTA and RTB treatment also greatly inhibited the activation of the NF-κB pathway.

In a study of polysaccharide RLPa-2, there was a significant decrease in the expression of M1 macrophage markers (CD80, CD86) and p-STAT3/STAT3 protein. Additionally, there was a down-regulation in the production of pro-inflammatory mediators (NO, IL-6, TNF-α), indicating that M1 macrophage polarisation induced with LPS and IFN-γ stimulation could be inhibited by RLPa-2.

Evidence is consistently preclinical. The anti-inflammatory mechanisms identified — primarily NF-κB pathway inhibition and cytokine suppression — are biologically plausible, but translation to human outcomes has not been demonstrated.

4.3 Renal Protective Activity

Evidence type: In vitro and animal studies.

The fruit's total flavonoids have been the focus of renal protection research. Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a major cause of acute kidney injury (AKI). Previous studies showed that the total flavonoids from Rosa laevigata Michx fruit have various activities; however, no papers had previously reported the role of total flavonoids against renal IRI. A hypoxia/reoxygenation model in NRK-52E cells and an ischemia-reperfusion model in rats were used.

In a study of diabetic nephropathy, a DN mouse model was established to investigate the therapeutic effect of Rosa laevigata Michx. polysaccharide (RLP) on DN mice. Non-targeted metabolomics was used to analyze the potential mechanism. The results demonstrated that RLP effectively alleviated renal injury and reduced inflammation and oxidative stress in the kidney. In addition, non-targeted metabolomic analysis indicated that RLP could modulate riboflavin metabolism and tryptophan metabolism in DN mice. Notably, ferroptosis and PI3K/AKT pathway-mediated apoptosis in the kidney were also ameliorated following RLP treatment.

Evidence is preclinical only. No human trials of R. laevigata for kidney disease have been identified in the peer-reviewed literature.

4.4 Hepatoprotective (Liver-Protective) Activity

Evidence type: In vitro and animal studies.

Multiple hepatoprotective mechanisms have been described in preclinical work. Researchers previously reported the effects of the total flavonoids from Rosa laevigata Michx fruit against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and liver ischemia-reperfusion injury. Regarding anti-fibrotic mechanisms, a study using the total saponins (RLTS) in a carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis rat model found that RLTS significantly rehabilitated the levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, malondialdehyde, glutathione, and related antioxidant enzymes, confirmed using H&E, Sirius Red, and Masson histopathological assays. Further research indicated that RLTS markedly reduced cytochrome P450 2E1 activity, attenuated oxidative stress, and suppressed inflammation. In addition, RLTS facilitated matrix degradation through down-regulation of matrix metalloproteinases and exerted anti-fibrotic effects through affecting TGF-β/Smad, FAK-PI3K-Akt-p70S6K, and MAPK signaling pathways.

For LPS-induced liver injury, the anti-inflammatory mechanism involved marked suppression of the nuclear translocation of NF-κB and subsequently decreased expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, HMGB-1, and COX-2 by activating FXR and FOXO3a against inflammation. All hepatoprotective evidence remains at the preclinical level; no human hepatology trials have been published.

4.5 Anti-tumour / Anti-cancer Activity

Evidence type: In vitro (cell culture) only.

Two flavonoid active components of Fructus R. laevigata — rutin and quercetin — were studied for their effects on the proliferation of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (BEL-7402) cultured in vitro. Both flavonoids exerted some inhibitory effect on proliferation, with rutin and quercetin having IC50s of 29.91 ± 3.05 and 7.625 ± 2.02 μmol/L, respectively. They were also less toxic to normal human hepatocytes (HL-7702) cultured in vitro. Others also investigated the in vitro antitumour activity of polysaccharides from R. laevigata and found that these compounds had some inhibitory effects on human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (BEL-7402) with an IC50 of (12.43 ± 1.95) μmol/L. A neutral polysaccharide (RLP50-2) purified from the fruits was mainly composed of specific glucan linkages and also exhibited significant antitumour activities in cell models. Evidence is entirely in vitro; no in vivo efficacy or safety data in cancer models and no human oncology evidence have been sourced.

4.6 Immunomodulatory Activity

Evidence type: In vitro and animal studies.

A novel acidic polysaccharide isolated from the fruits of R. laevigata could recognise pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) of macrophages and enhance immunomodulatory activity by activating MAPKs and NF-κB signaling pathways. The polysaccharide RLPa-2 was specifically shown to modulate macrophage polarisation from the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype, as described in Section 4.2 above. Evidence is preclinical.

4.7 Hypolipidaemic (Lipid-Lowering) Activity

Evidence type: Animal studies.

Research has focused on the hypolipidaemic, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory activities of polysaccharides from R. laevigata fruits. Low-molecular-weight polysaccharides (RLP-1a, RLP-2a, RLP-3a) from the fruits were characterised for their antioxidant and hypolipidaemic activities in animal models. Evidence remains at the preclinical stage; no human lipid-lowering trials have been identified.

4.8 Cardiovascular Protective Activity

Evidence type: Preclinical.

Bioactive compounds from Rosa laevigata play roles in lowering blood glucose and lipid levels, protecting the kidneys and liver, reducing cholesterol, treating arrhythmia, and potentially contributing to the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. These associations are based on preclinical data; no human cardiovascular or neurological clinical trials have been identified in the available literature.

4.9 Antimicrobial and Antiviral Activity

Evidence type: In vitro.

RLM inhibits the growth of the influenza virus and Bacillus dysenteriae in vitro, and it has long been used for anti-inflammatory treatments. These effects have been demonstrated in laboratory assays; no clinical antimicrobial or antiviral trials have been identified.

4.10 Gastrointestinal Effects

Evidence type: Preclinical and traditional use.

Pharmacological studies have shown that R. laevigata has the effect of improving the gastrointestinal tract, promoting intestinal peristalsis, increasing the digestion of food, reducing the accumulation of harmful substances in the intestinal tract, playing a role in eliminating persistent stools, and also reducing the occurrence of gastrointestinal diseases. Animal-model evidence also supports the traditional use for urinary frequency: pharmacological research has shown that extracts of Rosa laevigata can reduce urination frequency and prolong the interval between urinations in animal models, supporting the traditional use.

4.11 Glycaemic / Diabetic Effects

Evidence type: In vitro and animal studies.

In a cell-based study of diabetic cataract, Rosa laevigata Michx. extract decreased ROS production and increased mitochondrial membrane potential in SRA01/04 lens epithelial cells under high-glucose conditions. Cells were treated with RLM extract at concentrations of 0.1, 5, and 10 g/L for 24 hours. Animal work on diabetic nephropathy using the plant's polysaccharide is described in Section 4.3. No adequately powered human glycaemic-control trials have been identified.

4.12 Skin and Hyaluronic Acid Production

Evidence type: In vitro (cell culture).

A 2025 study investigated the impact of Rosa laevigata hot water extract on hyaluronic acid (HA) production in human epidermal keratinocyte cells (HaCaT). Cytotoxicity testing showed no adverse effects at concentrations up to 800 µg/mL. Real-time PCR and immunofluorescence assays indicated increased HAS-2 gene and protein expression. Hyaluronic acid ELISA measurements demonstrated enhanced HA production along with HAS-2 and HAS-3 protein expression. This is exploratory in vitro evidence only.

5. Body Systems and Health Areas Associated with Rosa laevigata

The crude extracts and the purified compounds have demonstrated various pharmacological effects in vitro and in vivo, such as antioxidant activity, immunomodulatory effect, anti-inflammatory effect, liver protection, kidney protection, cardiovascular protection, neuroprotective effect, and others. The major body systems with which the plant is associated, on the basis of both traditional documentation and preclinical research, are:

• Urogenital / Renal System: Traditional use for urinary incontinence, spermatorrhea, enuresis, leucorrhea, uterine prolapse; preclinical evidence of renal IRI and diabetic nephropathy protection.
• Gastrointestinal System: Traditional use as an intestinal astringent for diarrhea and dysentery; animal evidence of gastrointestinal motility modulation.
• Hepatobiliary System: Preclinical hepatoprotective data across multiple injury models (CCl4, LPS, NAFLD, ischemia-reperfusion).
• Immune System: Polysaccharide-mediated macrophage modulation and immunomodulatory effects in cell and animal models.
• Cardiovascular System: Hypolipidaemic and antioxidant activity in animal models; preclinical evidence for arrhythmia and cholesterol-related effects.
• Metabolic System: Anti-diabetic and glycaemic-modifying effects in cell and animal models; proposed application in diabetic cataract and diabetic nephropathy.
• Integumentary System (skin): Traditional use in burns and ulcers; in vitro evidence of hyaluronic acid synthesis promotion.
• Reproductive / Gynaecological System: Traditional use for metrorrhagia, leucorrhea; roots used as constituents of approved gynaecological TCM preparations.

6. Dosage Forms and Reported Dosages

The following dosages are reported as stated in the cited sources and do not represent clinical recommendations.

• Chinese Pharmacopoeia standard dose (Fructus, decoction): The dosage of human use is 5.81 g/day converted by the dosage of total flavonoids in R. laevigata in rats. Combined with the extraction ratio of total flavonoids reported in the literature (5.85%), it was estimated to be safe for humans to take 68.35 g/day of R. laevigata — a dose much higher than the dose (6–12 g) specified in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia.
• Animal study dosages for total flavonoids (subchronic toxicity): A 90-day subchronic toxicity study administered total flavonoids orally to rats at the doses of 500, 1,000, and 2,000 mg/kg/day.
• In vitro skin study: Cytotoxicity testing in HaCaT cells showed no adverse effects at concentrations up to 800 µg/mL.
• In vitro diabetic cataract study: SRA01/04 cells were treated with RLM extract at indicated concentrations of 0.1, 5, and 10 g/L for 24 hours.
• LPS-induced liver injury (animal study): R. laevigata extract was intragastrically administered to mice for 7 days.

No standardised clinical dosing protocols for human supplementation have been established in peer-reviewed literature. Traditional TCM practice specifies 6–12 g of dried fruit per day in decoction form, as referenced in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia.

7. Safety Considerations

7.1 General Toxicological Profile

Relatively few toxicity studies have been reported for Rosa laevigata Michx., but as it becomes more widely used, such issues should receive more attention and raise serious questions about its safety in clinical settings. The fruits of R. laevigata, widely used in China for a long time, are usually considered to be nontoxic because of their natural origin.

7.2 Subchronic Toxicity Study Data

The total flavonoids from Rosa laevigata Michx fruit showed hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities; however, the safety of this natural product had not been previously investigated. A 90-day subchronic toxicity study was conducted, and the tested total flavonoids were orally administered to rats at doses of 500, 1,000, and 2,000 mg/kg/day. Toxicity was evaluated on the basis of ophthalmic examination, body weight, feed/water consumption, urinalysis, haematology, clinical biochemistry, and pathology. No toxic signs of the total flavonoids at doses of 500 and 1,000 mg/kg/day were observed.

At the highest dose tested: Decreased platelet count was found in the 2,000 mg/kg/day groups and increased intercellular space of myocardial cells was observed in the male 2,000 mg/kg/day group compared with control. A significant increase in the relative cardiac weight was observed in the male 1,000 and 2,000 mg/kg/day groups. A significant decrease in the absolute and relative weight of adrenals in the female 1,000 and 2,000 mg/kg groups was also observed. The total flavonoids could cause mild side effects at the dose of 1,000 mg/kg/day in males and females. Thus, the dose of 500 mg/kg/day for male and female was selected as the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL).

7.3 Potential Drug Interactions

No well-documented pharmaceutical drug interactions have been reported for Jin Ying Zi. However, based on known pharmacological properties, the following theoretical considerations apply: animal studies have shown that Rosa laevigata extracts may have blood sugar-lowering effects; concurrent use with insulin or oral hypoglycaemic drugs could theoretically potentiate hypoglycaemia.

A subchronic toxicity study noted decreased platelet counts at very high doses of the total flavonoids. While not established at normal doses, caution may be warranted when combining with warfarin, heparin, or antiplatelet agents.

Animal studies have demonstrated hypolipidaemic effects, which raises a theoretical concern about additive effects when used concurrently with lipid-lowering medications, though this has not been studied in human pharmacokinetic or interaction trials.

7.4 Limitations of Current Safety Data

All safety data originates from rat studies; no human pharmacovigilance data, case reports of toxicity in clinical settings, or formal human safety trials for R. laevigata extracts have been identified in the peer-reviewed literature surveyed. Toxicological tests and quality control studies in available preclinical literature have revealed the safety and non-toxicity of R. laevigata Michx. at the doses studied. However, extrapolation of animal NOAEL data to human populations requires appropriate species-scaling and must be treated with caution.

Summary of Evidence Strength

• Traditional use documentation: Well-documented across multiple classic Chinese pharmacopoeial texts spanning over one thousand years; fruit and root are both listed in the current Chinese Pharmacopoeia.
• In vitro evidence: Extensive, across antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antitumour, and immunomodulatory parameters; mechanisms well characterised at the cellular level.
• In vivo (animal) evidence: Moderate quantity of rodent studies supporting renal protection, hepatoprotection, hypolipidaemia, and anti-diabetic effects; all at preclinical stage.
• Human clinical evidence: Absent in the peer-reviewed sources identified. No randomised controlled trials, systematic reviews of human clinical data, or government health body evaluations (e.g., from NIH NCCIH, EMA, or WHO) specifically covering Rosa laevigata as a dietary supplement have been identified in the literature reviewed. The plant's use in approved proprietary TCM compounds (such as San Jin tablets) provides indirect evidence of real-world tolerability in Chinese clinical practice, but controlled clinical trial data is lacking.

References

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