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Journal Article•DOI•

Phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological aspects of Hibiscus sabdariffa L.: a review

Badreldin H. Ali, Naser Al Wabel, Gerald Blunden1•
University of Portsmouth1
01 May 2005-Phytotherapy Research (John Wiley and Sons Ltd)-Vol. 19, Iss: 5, pp 369-375
TL;DR: Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (English: roselle, red sorrel; Arabic: karkade), the calyces of which are used in many parts of the world to make cold and hot drinks, contains ascorbic acid (vitamin C).
Abstract: This article reviews the reported phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological properties of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (English: roselle, red sorrel; Arabic: karkade), the calyces of which are used in many parts of the world to make cold and hot drinks. Nutritionally, these contain ascorbic acid (vitamin C). In folk medicine, the calyx extracts are used for the treatment of several complaints, including high blood pressure, liver diseases and fever. The pharmacological actions of the calyx extracts include strong in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity. In rats and rabbits, the extract showed antihypercholesterolaemic, antinociceptive and antipyretic, but not antiinflammatory activities. In rat and man a strong antihypertensive action has been demonstrated. The effects of the calyx extracts on smooth muscles in vitro are variable, but they mostly inhibit the tone of the isolated muscles. In healthy men, consumption of H. sabdariffa has resulted in significant decreases in the urinary concentrations of creatinine, uric acid, citrate, tartrate, calcium, sodium, potassium and phosphate, but not oxalate. Oil extracted from the plant's seeds has been shown to have an inhibitory effect on some bacteria and fungi in vitro. The plant extracts are characterized by a very low degree of toxicity. The LD50 of H. sabdariffa calyx extract in rats was found to be above 5000 mg/kg. A single report has suggested that excessive doses for relatively long periods could have a deleterious effect on the testes of rats. In view of its reported nutritional and pharmacological properties and relative safety, H. sabdariffa and compounds isolated from it (for example, anthocyanins and Hibiscus protocatechuic acid) could be a source of therapeutically useful products.
Citations
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Journal Article•DOI•
Hibiscus sabdariffa L. - A phytochemical and pharmacological review

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Inês Da-Costa-Rocha1, Bernd Bonnlaender, Hartwig Sievers, Ivo Pischel1, Michael Heinrich1 •
University College London1
15 Dec 2014-Food Chemistry
TL;DR: In vitro and in vivo studies as well as some clinical trials provide some evidence mostly for phytochemically poorly characterised Hs extracts which showed antibacterial, anti-oxidant, nephro- and hepato-protective, renal/diuretic effect, effects on lipid metabolism (anti-cholesterol), anti-diabetic and anti-hypertensive effects among others.

615 citations

Cites background from "Phytochemical, pharmacological and ..."

  • ...Walp., Furcaria sabdariffa Ulbr., Hibiscus cruentus Bertol., Hibiscus fraternus L., Hibiscus palmatilobus Baill. and Sabdariffa rubra Kostel (The Plant list, 2010) is commonly known as roselle, hibiscus, Jamaica sorrel or red sorrel (English) and in Arabic, karkadeh (Ali et al., 2005; Ross, 2003)....

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  • ...and Sabdariffa rubra Kostel (The Plant list, 2010) is commonly known as roselle, hibiscus, Jamaica sorrel or red sorrel (English) and in Arabic, karkadeh (Ali et al., 2005; Ross, 2003)....

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Journal Article•DOI•
A Review on Protocatechuic Acid and Its Pharmacological Potential

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Sahil Kakkar, Souravh Bais
26 Mar 2014-International Scholarly Research Notices
TL;DR: This work aims to review the pharmacological effects of PCA molecules in humans and the structural aspects that contribute to these effects.
Abstract: Flavonoids and polyphenols are heterocyclic molecules that have been associated with beneficial effects on human health, such as reducing the risk of various diseases like cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular and brain diseases. Protocatechuic acid (PCA) is a type of widely distributed naturally occurring phenolic acid. PCA has structural similarity with gallic acid, caffeic acid, vanillic acid, and syringic acid which are well-known antioxidant compounds. More than 500 plants contain PCA as active constituents imparting various pharmacological activity and these effects are due to their antioxidant activities, along with other possible mechanisms, such as anti-inflammatory properties and interaction with several enzymes. Over the past two decades, there have been an increasing number of publications on polyphenols and flavonoids, which demonstrate the importance of understanding the chemistry behind the antioxidant activities of both natural and synthesized compounds, considering the benefits from their dietary ingestion as well as pharmacological use. This work aims to review the pharmacological effects of PCA molecules in humans and the structural aspects that contribute to these effects.

481 citations

Cites background from "Phytochemical, pharmacological and ..."

  • ...8 Hibiscus sabdariffa (Roselle) Antibacterial, Nephroprotective activity [10, 11, 15]...

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  • ...) [10, 11], Japanese ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L....

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Book•
Plant Secondary Metabolites: Occurrence, Structure And Role In The Human Diet

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Alan Crozier, Michael N. Clifford, Hiroshi Ashihara
06 Jul 2014
TL;DR: The authors suggest that the use of probiotics and prebiotics to modulate the gut flora composition in old age and the impact of dietary modulation of the gut microflora through dietary means should be considered.
Abstract: Plant secondary metabolites have been a fertile area of chemical investigation for many years, driving the development of both analytical chemistry and of new synthetic reactions and methodologies. The subject is multi-disciplinary with chemists, biochemists and plant scientists all contributing to our current understanding. In recent years there has been an upsurge in interest from other disciplines, related to the realisation that secondary metabolites are dietary components that may have a considerable impact on human health, and to the development of gene technology that permits modulation of the contents of desirable and undesirable components. Plant Secondary Metabolites: Occurrence, Structure and Role in the Human Diet addresses this wider interest by covering the main groups of natural products from a chemical and biosynthetic perspective with illustrations of how genetic engineering can be applied to manipulate levels of secondary metabolites of economic value as well as those of potential importance in diet and health. These descriptive chapters are augmented by chapters showing where these products are found in the diet, how they are metabolised and reviewing the evidence for their beneficial bioactivity. © 2006 by Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

388 citations

Journal Article•DOI•
Inhibition of angiotensin convertin enzyme (ACE) activity by the anthocyanins delphinidin- and cyanidin-3-O-sambubiosides from Hibiscus sabdariffa.

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Deyanira Ojeda1, Enrique Jiménez-Ferrer2, Alejandro Zamilpa2, Armando Herrera-Arellano2, Jaime Tortoriello2, Laura Alvarez1 •
Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos1, Mexican Social Security Institute2
08 Jan 2010-Journal of Ethnopharmacology
TL;DR: The competitive ACE inhibitor activity of the anthocyanins 1 and 2 is reported for the first time, in good agreement with the folk medicinal use of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces as antihypertensive.

251 citations

Journal Article•DOI•
Hibiscus Sabdariffa L. Tea (Tisane) Lowers Blood Pressure in Prehypertensive and Mildly Hypertensive Adults

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Diane L. McKay1, C-Y. Oliver Chen1, Edward Saltzman1, Jeffrey B. Blumberg1•
Tufts University1
01 Feb 2010-Journal of Nutrition
TL;DR: Daily consumption of hibiscus tea, in an amount readily incorporated into the diet, lowers BP in pre- and mildly hypertensive adults and may prove an effective component of the dietary changes recommended for people with these conditions.
Abstract: In vitro studies show Hibiscus sabdariffa L., an ingredient found in many herbal tea blends and other beverages, has antioxidant properties, and, in animal models, extracts of its calyces have demonstrated hypocholesterolemic and antihypertensive properties. Our objective in this study was to examine the antihypertensive effects of H. sabdariffatisane (hibiscus tea) consumption in humans. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in 65 pre- and mildly hypertensive adults, age 30–70 y, not taking blood pressure (BP)-lowering medications, with either 3 240mL servings/d of brewed hibiscus tea or placebo beverage for 6 wk. A standardized method was used to measure BP at baseline and weekly intervals. At 6 wk, hibiscus tea lowered systolic BP (SBP) compared with placebo (27.2 6 11.4 vs. 21.3 6 10.0 mm Hg; P = 0.030). Diastolic BP was also lower, although this change did not differ from placebo (23.1 6 7.0 vs. 20.5 6 7.5 mm Hg; P = 0.160). The change in mean arterial pressure was of borderline significance compared with placebo (24.5 6 7.7 vs. 20.8 6 7.4 mm Hg; P = 0.054). Participants with higher SBP at baseline showed a greater response to hibiscus treatment (r = 20.421 for SBP change; P = 0.010). No effects were observed with regard to age, gender, or dietary supplement use. These results suggest daily consumption of hibiscus tea, in an amount readily incorporated into the diet, lowers BP in pre- and mildly hypertensive adults and may prove an effective component of the dietary changes recommended for people with these conditions. J. Nutr. doi: 10.3945/jn.109.115097.

224 citations

References
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Journal Article•DOI•
Oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy.

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Andrea M. Vincent1, James W. Russell1, Phillip A. Low2, Eva L. Feldman1•
University of Michigan1, Mayo Clinic2
01 Aug 2004-Endocrine Reviews
TL;DR: Evidence is presented to support the idea that both chronic and acute hyperglycemia cause oxidative stress in the peripheral nervous system that can promote the development of diabetic neuropathy, and it is concluded that striving for superior antioxidative therapies remains essential for the prevention of neuropathy in diabetic patients.
Abstract: Oxidative stress results from a cell or tissue failing to detoxify the free radicals that are produced during metabolic activity. Diabetes is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia that produces dysregulation of cellular metabolism. This review explores the concept that diabetes overloads glucose metabolic pathways, resulting in excess free radical production and oxidative stress. Evidence is presented to support the idea that both chronic and acute hyperglycemia cause oxidative stress in the peripheral nervous system that can promote the development of diabetic neuropathy. Proteins that are damaged by oxidative stress have decreased biological activity leading to loss of energy metabolism, cell signaling, transport, and, ultimately, to cell death. Examination of the data from animal and cell culture models of diabetes, as well as clinical trials of antioxidants, strongly implicates hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress in diabetic neuropathy. We conclude that striving for superior antioxidative therapies remains essential for the prevention of neuropathy in diabetic patients.

846 citations

"Phytochemical, pharmacological and ..." refers background in this paper

  • ...…and conditions (for example, diabetes and aging) are thought to involve lipid peroxidation and the generation of free radicals (Poon et al., 2004; Vincent et al., 2004), the anthocyanins (from this and other plants) and Hibiscus protocatechuic acid may potentially be useful in ameliorating or…...

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  • ..., 2004), and because many diseases and conditions (for example, diabetes and aging) are thought to involve lipid peroxidation and the generation of free radicals (Poon et al., 2004; Vincent et al., 2004), the anthocyanins (from this and other plants) and Hibiscus protocatechuic acid may potentially be useful in ameliorating or preventing these diseases and conditions....

    [...]

Journal Article•DOI•
Protective effect of Hibiscus anthocyanins against tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced hepatic toxicity in rats

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Chau-Jong Wang, Jin-Ming Wang, Wea-Lung Lin, Chia-Yih Chu, Fen-Pi Chou, Tsui-Hwa Tseng 
01 May 2000-Food and Chemical Toxicology
TL;DR: The histopathological evaluation of the liver revealed that Hibiscus pigments reduced the incidence of liver lesions including inflammatory, leucocyte infiltration, and necrosis induced by t-BHP in rats, leading to speculation that HAs may play a role in the prevention of oxidative damage in living systems.

387 citations

"Phytochemical, pharmacological and ..." refers background in this paper

  • ...sabdariffa were also shown to have a protective effect against tertbutylhydroperoxide-induced hepatic toxicity in rats (Wang et al., 2000)....

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  • ...The anthocyanins were able to quench the free radicals of 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and this antioxidant effect was also demonstrated by the ability of the anthocyanins to reduce the cytotoxicity induced by tert-butylhydroperoxide in rat primary hepatocytes and to attenuate hepatotoxicity in rats (Wang et al., 2000)....

    [...]

  • ...…the established strong antioxidant and antilipid peroxidation actions of H. sabdariffa extracts and the compounds they contain (Tseng et al., 1997; Wang et al., 2000; Suboh et al., 2004), and because many diseases and conditions (for example, diabetes and aging) are thought to involve lipid…...

    [...]

  • ...sabdariffa extracts and the compounds they contain (Tseng et al., 1997; Wang et al., 2000; Suboh et al., 2004), and because many diseases and conditions (for example, diabetes and aging) are thought to involve lipid peroxidation and the generation of free radicals (Poon et al....

    [...]

  • ...These extracts are also used in folk medicine against many complaints that include high blood pressure, liver diseases and fever (Dalziel, 1973; Wang et al., 2000; Ross, 2003)....

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Journal Article•DOI•
Free radicals and brain aging.

[...]

H. Fai Poon1, Vittorio Calabrese2, Giovanni Scapagnini, D. Allan Butterfield1•
University of Kentucky1, University of Catania2
01 May 2004-Clinics in Geriatric Medicine
TL;DR: It is proposed that free radicals are critical to cell damage in aged brain and endogenous, and that exogenous antioxidants, therefore, may play effective roles in therapeutic strategies for age-related neurodegenerative disorders.

279 citations

Journal Article•DOI•
Hibiscus sabdariffa extract inhibits the development of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits.

[...]

Chang-Che Chen1, Jeng-Dong Hsu1, San-Fa Wang1, Huei-Ching Chiang1, Mon-Yuan Yang1, Erl-Shyh Kao1, Yung-Chyan Ho1, Chau-Jong Wang1 •
Chung Shan Medical University1
29 Jul 2003-Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
TL;DR: Results suggest that HSE inhibits serum lipids and shows an antiatherosclerotic activity in rabbits with experimental atherosclerosis.
Abstract: Hibiscus sabdariffa L., a local soft drink material and medicinal herb, is usually used effectively in native medicines against hypertension, pyrexia, and liver disorders. Here, we report an extract, HSE (H. sabdariffa extract), which is designed to exhibit hypolipidemia and antiatherosclerotic effects in rabbits with experimental atherosclerosis. New Zealand White rabbits were fed with a normal diet, high cholesterol (1.3%), lard oil (3%) diet (HCD) with or without 0.5 or 1% HSE for 10 weeks. The levels of triglyceride, cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were lower in the serum of rabbits fed HCD plus HSE than in the serum of rabbits fed HCD. Feeding HSE (0.5 and 1% in the diet) to rabbits significantly reduced severe atherosclerosis in the aorta. Histopathological examination showed that HSE reduced foam cell formation and inhibited smooth muscle cell migration and calcification in the blood vessel of rabbits. These results suggest that HSE inhibits serum lipids and shows an antiatherosclerotic activity.

257 citations

Journal Article•DOI•
Protective effects of dried flower extracts of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. against oxidative stress in rat primary hepatocytes.

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T.-H. Tseng, E.-S. Kao, C.-Y. Chu, Fen-Pi Chou, H.-W. Lin Wu, C.-J. Wang 
01 Dec 1997-Food and Chemical Toxicology
TL;DR: The results indicated that the dried flower extracts of H. sabdariffa L. protect rat hepatocytes from t-BHP-induced cytotoxicity and genotoxicity by different mechanisms.

247 citations

"Phytochemical, pharmacological and ..." refers background in this paper

  • ...Both fractions were shown to be active, indicating that the extract of dried H. sabdariffa flowers protect rat hepatocytes from tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced cytotoxicity and genotoxicity by different mechanisms (Tseng et al., 1997)....

    [...]

  • ...In view of the established strong antioxidant and antilipid peroxidation actions of H. sabdariffa extracts and the compounds they contain (Tseng et al., 1997; Wang et al., 2000; Suboh et al., 2004), and because many diseases and conditions (for example, diabetes and aging) are thought to involve…...

    [...]

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Hibiscus sabdariffa L. - A phytochemical and pharmacological review

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Effectiveness and tolerability of a standardized extract from Hibiscus sabdariffa in patients with mild to moderate hypertension: a controlled and randomized clinical trial

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20 Jul 2004-Phytomedicine
Armando Herrera-Arellano, S Flores-Romero, M.A Chávez-Soto, Jaime Tortoriello 
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