1Department of Small Animal Practice, The faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
2Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
3Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
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The laxative/purgative effects of Rosa damascena was studied in dogs. Five Groups of animals (n=5) received the boiled extract of Rosa damascena at doses 0.5–8 times that traditionally suggested for human use (180mg/kg) daily. The negative and the positive groups received placebo or lactulose respectively. During 10 d of the experiment, fecal water content was measured and the dogs were examined for the incidence of diarrhea. In addition, all dogs were monitored for their weight, ECG, temperature and their respiration and heart rates. Rosa damascena caused diarrhea in a dose dependent manner. The fecal water content, however, did not change significantly. The animals receiving the highest dose of the extract showed sedation and a slight weight loss. However, no other side effects were observed in treated animals. It is concluded that boiled extract of Rosa damascena may be of therapeutic value as laxative in dogs.
Rosa damascena, laxative, herbal medicine
