# Physico-Chemical Characteristics of _Rosa canina_ L. Seeds and Determining Their Potential Use
## 3 Results and Discussion

Table 7: Total phenolics, total carotenoids, L-ascorbic acid content, and antioxidant activity of rosehip seeds. promotes the formation of the epidermal barrier, protects the skin against the effects of environmental factors such as UV radiation, and is also an important and highly efficient water-soluble antioxidant [43; 45]. Plant polyphenols are also important active ingredients for skin functioning, with moisturizing, regenerating, softening, soothing, protective, astringent, and capillary stabilizing effects. Furthermore, polyphenols exhibit anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-allergic, anticancer, and anticoagulant properties [46; 47]. Studies also confirm that carotenoids in the diet or in the form of supplements exhibit photoprotective activity, protect the skin against oxidative stress resulting from excessive ROS activity, and also support healing processes. Carotenoids have also been shown to exert various biological effects, such as antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory activity, and to play a role in the context of health and prevention of chronic disease. Moreover, carotenoids are often used as pigments in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and feed industries [43; 48; 49]. In view of the above, consumption of vegetables and fruits or their juices rich in vitamins and bioactive compounds is extremely important, due to their health-promoting effects and ability to slow down ageing processes. Considerable amounts of waste are generated during fruit and vegetable processing, and some important substances remain in this waste, including dietary fibre and poorly soluble compounds such as certain polyphenols or carotenoids. After appropriate processing, this type of waste, including rosehip seeds, can be used as food supplements, to obtain food products of high nutritional value, or as a valuable cosmetic or therapeutic material [6; 8; 50]. Some data indicates the diverse potential applications of rosehip seeds in personal care and medicinal products. These effects are due in part to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activity, as well as to stimulation of collagen synthesis and regeneration [50; 51; 52; 53; 54]. [PERSON] et al. [50] evaluated the effects of a rose hip powder made from seeds and shells on cell senescence, skin wrinkling, and ageing. During an eight-week double-blinded controlled study on oral supplementation of rose hip powder conducted on 34 healthy subjects aged 35-65 years, improvements in skin with signs of ageing were observed, including significant improvements in crow's feet wrinkles, skin hydration and elasticity [50]. [PERSON] and [PERSON] [55] showed that rosehip seed oil promotes hair growth in C57 BL/6 mice. Visible hair growth was observed on day 14 in mice treated with 10% rosehip seed oil compared to control-treated mice (5% minor-idil). Topical treatment with rosehip seed oil was shown to induce an earlier transition from telogen to anagen in the hair follicles and to nourish hair follicle development, thus increasing hair regrowth [55]. Other research indicates that rosehip seeds not only have potential applications in personal care products but may have therapeutic applications as well. [PERSON] et al. [6] showed the potential use of standardized rosehip powder obtained from the seeds and huks of fruit in patients with osteoarthritis. In the group treated with the test product, the functional capacity of the hip improved, and the pain was reduced in about two-thirds of the patients [6]. These findings confirm the results of a study by [PERSON] et al. [56] which showed that the use of products based on rosehip seeds can help to reduce the use of synthetic drugs in patients suffering from symptoms such as pain and stiffness, which are responsible for the limitations on everyday activity reported in osteoarthritis.