Effect of oral capsules of Rosa damascena mill extract on depression, anxiety and stress in menopausal women: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective

Depression, anxiety, and stress often increase during menopause. Due to growing interest in herbal alternative medicines with fewer side-effects, this study aimed to assess the effect of Rosa damascena Mill extract on depression, anxiety, and stress in menopausal women.

Methods

This triple-blind randomized controlled trial included 82 naturally menopausal women between 45 and 60 years of age, who had not menstruated for at least 12 consecutive months and had no history of serious medical conditions such as malignancy. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either 500 mg Rosa damascena extract or placebo capsules twice daily for eight weeks. Psychological symptoms were evaluated using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale - 21 at baseline, 4, and 8 weeks after the intervention. The data were statistically analyzed using SPSS version 21.

Results

The intervention group demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in depression scores (from 10.1 ± 10.7 to 3.9 ± 4.6) whereas the placebo group showed a slight increase (from 8.7 ± 8.3 to 9.6 ± 7.5) (p < 0.001). Anxiety scores also declined more markedly in the intervention group (from 14.6 ± 8.3 to 6.2 ± 4.8) than in the placebo group (from 12.9 ± 7.8 to 12.2 ± 7.8) (p < 0.001). Stress levels decreased in the intervention group (from 19.0 ± 9.3 to 7.6 ± 4.6), while the placebo group showed a slight increase (15.9 ± 10.0 to 17.6 ± 9.0) (p < 0.001). Post-hoc analysis using Bonferroni correction revealed significant differences across all time points in the intervention group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Rosa damascena extract may serve as an effective and well-tolerated herbal intervention for mitigating depression, anxiety, and stress among menopausal women.

Trial registration

IRCT20210208050295N1