An antiinflammatory galactolipid from rose hip (Rosa canina) that inhibits chemotaxis of human peripheral blood neutrophils in vitro.

The galactolipid (2S)-1,2-di-O-[(9Z,12Z,15Z)-octadeca-9,12,15-trienoyl]-3-O-beta-d-galactopyranosyl glycerol (1) isolated from dried and milled fruits of Rosa canina by bioassay-guided fractionation is an antiinflammatory agent with inhibitory effects on chemotaxis of human peripheral blood neutrophils in vitro. The inhibition of cell migration is not related to toxicity. The presence of 1 in rose hips may explain the clinically observed antiinflammatory properties of rose hip herbal remedies.