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PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES - TOXICOLOGY - DRUG INTERACTIONS

Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary)

Rosmarinic acid, an active constituent of Folium Rosmarini increases the production of
prostaglandin E which is generally a bronchodilator, while reducing leukotrienes, which are
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bronchoconstrictors. This effect enhances the inhibition of the histamine constricting action
on the bronchial smooth muscle and by its relaxant effect on the smooth muscle (al-Sereiti et
al., 1999). Oxidative damage to DNA, RNA, proteins and cell membranes occurs when the
cellular concentration of reactive oxygen species exceeds the capacity of the cell to eliminate
them. Folium Rosmarini is a source of some of the most potent herbal antioxidant phyto-chemicals
known, which aids in scavenging reactive oxygen metabolites. The antioxidant activity of Folium
Rosmarini extracts is mainly due to polyphenolic compounds such as rosmarinic acid, carnosic
acid, carnosol, rosmadial and genkwanin (WHO, 2009). The effects of these constituents may
contribute to membrane stabilization and hindrance of radical propagation, which may cooperate
with the electron donor ability of Folium Rosmarini polyphenolic compounds in protecting the
membranes against oxidative damage (Pérez et al., 2010). The antioxidant effect of Folium
Rosmarini against free radicals may have a role in the preventive use in bronchospasm diseases
(al-Sereiti et al., 1999).

Toxicity for Folium Rosmarini has not been documented in dogs and cats when administered orally in therapeutic
TOXICOLOGY LD of rosmarinic acid is 5 mL/kg of body weight in rats (Newall et al., 1996).
doses. Oral LD of Folium Rosmarini essential oil is >2 g/kg of body weight in rats (de Faria et al., 2011). Oral
50
50
Equivalent toxic dose in 20 kg dog: >40 g PO of Folium Rosmarini essential oil.
>10 g PO of Folium Rosmarini essential oil.
Equivalent toxic dose in 5 kg cat:

DRUG Validated interactions studies do not exist for Folium Rosmarini preparations. However, dose
INTERACTIONS dependent antagonistic interaction has been observed between essential oil of Folium Rosmarini
and the antibiotic ciprofloxacin (van Vuuren et al., 2009). Folium Rosmarini has shown
antithrombotic activity in vitro and in vivo in mice and concurrent use with anticoagulants/
antiplatelet drugs may increase the risk of bleeding (Yamamoto et al., 2005; Naemura et al., 2008).

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