HIBISCUS SABDARIFFA
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
Hibiscus sabdariffa rubber is an annual plant that grows up to 8 feet tall and is bushy and herbaceous. Its cylindrical, smooth stems are smooth or almost smooth, and its leaves are green and 3-5 inches long. The plant produces yellow or buff flowers that become pink as the day progresses. The calyx, which consists of five large sepals and an epicalyx of eight to twelve bracts, enlarges into a fleshy, crisp, and juicy fruit. The fruit is a 1.5-2 cm long capsule with an apiculate top coated in stiff bristles. The plant has an acidic flavor similar to cranberries.
ETHNOBOTANICAL USES
Hibiscus sabdariffa is a plant used in local medicines in India, Africa, Mexico, Egypt, Sudan, Guatemala, North Africa, India, Brazil, China, Iran, and Nigeria. Its leaves and calyces have diuretic, choleretic, febrifugal, and hypotensive effects, decreasing blood viscosity and stimulating intestinal peristalsis. In Egypt, calyces are used to treat cardiac and nerve diseases, increase urine production, lower body temperature, treat sore throats, coughs, genital problems, and external wounds. In Brazil, the roots have stomachic and emollient properties.
TAXONOMY
Family: Malvaceae order: Malvales Genus: Hibiscus
Species: Hibiscus sabdariffa L.
COMMON NAMES
Rosella infusa, Roselle, Jamaican sorrel, Indian sorrel, Bissap, Karkadeh
LOCAL NAME: Sobolo
SYNONYMS
Abelmoschus cruentus Bertol., Furcaria sabdariffa (L.) Ulbr., Hibiscus acetosus Noronha, Hibiscus digitatus Cav., Hibiscus fraternus L., Hibiscus gossypifolius Mill., Hibiscus palmatilobus Baill. and Hibiscus sanguineus Griff.
LOCAL NAME
Not reported
PHYTOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Preliminary phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of various plant chemicals in the extract, including alkaloids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, phenols, and flavonoids. Quantitative results showed the following presence of these chemicals: alkaloids (2.14%), flavonoids (20.08%), phenols (1.1%), glycosides (0.13%), and tannins (17.0%). Glycosides, alkaloids, steroids, triterpenoids, tannins, and flavonoids tested positive in the phytochemistry assays. Two to three chemical substances were found in the extracts, according to the TLC examination.
CHEMICAL STRUCTURE
PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY
The ethanolic extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa flowers effectively inhibited Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) development, with the highest inhibition observed at doses of 50% and 75%. The hydro-ethanolic extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces exhibits stronger antibacterial properties than the aqueous extract, demonstrating larger zones of inhibition and lower minimum inhibitory concentrations against various microorganisms, including Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli.
ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY
Hibiscus sabdariffa L. extracts exhibited strong antioxidant activity by scavenging DPPH free radicals, likely due to their high phenolic compound content, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits for diseases associated with oxidative stress. Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces exhibit significant antioxidant activity, with hydro-ethanolic extracts showing greater total antioxidant capacity and lower EC50 values for DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging compared to aqueous extracts, indicating more effective antioxidant properties.
ANTI-DIABETIC ACTIVITY
Clinical investigations have shown that Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) significantly lowers fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels, indicating antidiabetic action. Hibiscus sabdariffa has strong anti-diabetic properties due to its high polyphenol content, which controls fat and carb metabolism. Roselle extracts increase insulin sensitivity, suppress enzymes, and alter glucose homeostasis signaling pathways. Its abundance of organic acids is responsible for its effectiveness. Hibiscus sabdariffa has potential anti-diabetic properties due to its ability to suppress the enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, thereby enhancing glycemic control.
Hibiscus sabdariffa extracts may inhibit α-glucosidase in vitro, possibly due to anthocyanin. ANTI-HYPERTENSIVE ACTIVITY
Research revealed Hibiscus sabdariffa's exhebited strong anti-hypertensive effects in both hot and cold extracts, mediated by nitric oxide generation, enhanced cardiovascular function, and suppression of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Animal and human studies show strong antihypertensive effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) extracts due to antioxidant properties and hypocholesterolemia actions. A pilot study found that 121 individuals used a decoction of Hibiscus sabdariffa to lower their blood pressure, with 61.8% achieving their goal after six weeks of daily dosage.
ANTI-CANCER ACTIVITY
Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn extracts show modest cytotoxic effects on lung cancer cell line A549. Ethanolic extract showed maximum efficacy, activating p53 signaling and P38 MAPK/FASL pathway for apoptosis. Hibiscus sabdariffa has been found to have anticancer effects on Caco-2 colon cancer cells. Its extract showed low cytotoxicity against normal Vero cells and significantly increased the apoptotic rate of Caco-2 cells, indicating its role in the anticancer process. Hibiscus sabdariffa contains polyphenolic chemicals like protocatechuic acid and delphinidin-3-sambubioside which causes cancer cell lines to undergo apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and anti-metastatic effects. The study found that Hibiscus sabdariffa L. extracts showed strong anti-tumor activity against HeLa cells with human cervical carcinoma, linked to their antioxidant properties, making it a potential natural anti-cancer drug.
CYTOTOXIC ACTIVITY
The cytotoxic activity of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. calyx fraction against MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell line was evaluated using the MTT test, with Fraction A showing the highest IC50. The plant's immunomodulatory and anticancer properties suggest potential cancer treatment. The methanolic extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa fruit showed more cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells, possibly due to its antioxidant and cytotoxic properties. The MTT test assessed the cytotoxic effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn extracts on A549 lung cancer cells. The ethanol, ethyl acetate, and n-hexane extracts showed modest cytotoxic activity, suggesting phenolic compounds may promote cancer cell apoptosis.
HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY
The anthocyanin-rich extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces (HSARE) exhibits hepatoprotective effects by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, as evidenced by decreased levels of inflammatory markers TNF-α, IL-6, and INF-γ, increased antioxidant enzyme activities, and modulation of CYP2E1 and nuclear factor kappa-B expression. The extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa petals (AEHS) showed hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties in Wistar rats, with flavonoids and anthocyanins scavenging free radicals and protecting the liver from hepatotoxin-induced damage. Hibiscus sabdariffa extract's antioxidant properties have been found to protect against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in fish primary hepatocytes.
NEPHROPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY
Rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes showed nephroprotective benefits from extracts from Hibiscus sabdariffa leaves, due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which enhance kidney function, lower oxidative stress, and reduce renal damage. Hibiscus sabdariffa leaf extracts and ellagic acid show nephroprotective benefits against hyperuricemic nephropathy by inhibiting uric acid-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis in renal mesangial cells, primarily due to their antioxidant and anti-fibrotic properties.
CARDIOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY
Hibiscus sabdariffa provide cardioprotective benefits by reducing hypertension-induced myocardial necrosis, inflammation, and vacuolization, with the heated extract demonstrating a stronger effect through the regulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), leading to increased nitric oxide production that enhances cardiovascular function. Hibiscus sabdariffa polyphenol-rich extract (HPE) demonstrated cardioprotective effects in rats induced by isoprenaline, enhancing antioxidant status and reducing oxidative stress indicators.
NEUROPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY
The ethanolic extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa exhibited a significant neuroprotective benefit against Alzheimer's disease in a mouse model, reducing inflammation and memory impairment caused by STZ. Hibiscus sabdariffa var. altissima demonstrates neuroprotective effects against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by reducing oxidative stress through decreased malondialdehyde levels and enhanced antioxidant activities of glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase, while also mitigating inflammation by lowering proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, attributed to its rich phytochemical content, particularly phenols and flavonoids.
HEMATOLOGICAL AND ANTI- ANEMIC ACTIVITY
The aqueous leaf extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa exhibits anti-anemic properties in phenylhydrazine-induced anemic rats by significantly increasing packed cell volume, total white blood cell count, and hemoglobin concentration.
DIURETIC ACTIVITY
Hibiscus sabdariffa leaf extract exhibits strong diuretic and natriuretic properties, similar to furosemide. Aqueous extracts of Hibiscus sabdariffa demonstrate significant diuretic and natriuretic effects at doses of 50 mg/kg/bw, 100 mg/kg/bw, and 200 mg/kg/bw, attributed to their high phenolic compound and essential amino acid content. Rats treated with Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces (AEHSC) showed strong diuretic efficacy, similar to hydrochlorothiazide.
ANTI- ATHEROSCLEROTIC
The study found that Hibiscus sabdariffa extract effectively lowers triglyceride, cholesterol, and LDL-C levels while demonstrating antiatherosclerosis properties in rabbits by reducing severe atherosclerosis and inhibiting foam cell formation and smooth muscle cell migration.
TOXICITY PROFILE
The Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces aqueous extract (AEHSC) showed acute oral toxicity over 2000 mg/kg, causing biochemical and hematological abnormalities, but no liver or kidney changes, suggesting prolonged orally use may be unsuitable. The acute toxicity study showed an LD50 of 8.75 g/kg body weight for male rats and 7.5 g/kg body weight for female rats, classifying the extract as slightly toxic. Acute toxicity studies revealed that a single oral dose of Hibiscus sabdariffa extract up to 5,000 mg/kg body weight caused no acute toxicity in rats, and chronic administration of the extract at doses up to 200 mg/kg body weight for 270 days also showed no significant harm to either male or female rats.
CLINICAL VALIDATION
Pilot research assessed 121 individuals' usage of a decoction of Hibiscus sabdariffa to lower their blood pressure. After six weeks of receiving 10 grams of decoction daily, 61.8% of the participants achieved their goal of having blood pressure below 140/90 mmHg. The initial dosage included 2.13 g of hibiscus acid and 36 mg of total anthocyanins, and the intervention group had a substantial drop in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
DRUG-DRUG INTERACTION
Not reported
REFERENCE
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