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The Consumption of Hibiscus sabdariffa Dried Calyx Ethanolic Extract Reduced Lipid Profile in Rats

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Abstract

The scientific basis for the statement that plants and their active constituents play an important role in the prevention of chronic and degenerative diseases is continously advancing. The object of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. dried calyx ethanolic extract on the serum lipid profile of Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were fed during 4 weeks with either a basal diet, containing high cholesterol (1%), cholic acid (0.25%), lard oil (10%), or a supplemental diet with H. sabdariffa extract at 5%, 10%, and 15% levels (SD5, SD10, SD15). Weight gain and faeces dry weight were both very significantly less (p ≤ 0.01) in SD10 and SD15 groups as compared to the control group, as was food efficiency in SD15. In the case of SD10, food efficiency was only significantly lower (p ≤ 0.05). Faeces dry weight in SD5 however, was the only one found to be significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05). Triacylglycerols and LDL levels were both significantly less (p ≤ 0.05) in all groups (SD5, SD10, and SD15) as compared to the control. For total lipids, SD10 and SD15 showed significantly lower levels (p ≤ 0.05), whereas very significant differences (p ≤ 0.01) were observed in the case of SD5. All groups had lower cholesterol levels compared to controls; however, only the SD5 group was statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05). No significant results were found in any group in the cases of either phospholipid or HDL levels. A hypothesis of hibiscus acid racemization, (+)-HCA to (−)-HCA, mediated by intestinal flora enzymes possibly explains the significant triacylglycerol decrease in all experimental groups. VLDL, the precursor of LDL, is composed predominantly of triacylglycerols, suggesting that the significant decrease in LDL is related to observed triacylglycerol synthesis inhibition. Five percent H. sabdariffa extract addition showed the best results in the reduction of serum lipids under study conditions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Forensic Medicine, Universidad Veracruzana, SS Juan Pablo II s/n, Boca del Rio, Ver. C.P., 94290, Mexico

    Octavio Carvajal-Zarrabal, Stefan M. Waliszewski, Ramón Sánchez-Ricaño, Rosa M. Infanzón & Patricia R. L. Trujillo

  2. Chemical Biology Area. Instituto Tecnológico de Veracruz, Mexico

    Dulce Ma. Barradas-Dermitz & Zaida Orta-Flores

  3. Chemical Biology Area. Universidad Veracruzana, Mexico

    Patricia M. Hayward-Jones

  4. Centro Mexicano para la Producción más Limpia., Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico

    Cirilo Nolasco-Hipólito

  5. UNIDA., Instituto Tecnológico de Veracruz, Mexico

    Ofelia Angulo-Guerrero

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  1. Octavio Carvajal-Zarrabal
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  2. Stefan M. Waliszewski
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Correspondence to Octavio Carvajal-Zarrabal.

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Carvajal-Zarrabal, O., Waliszewski, S.M., Barradas-Dermitz, D.M. et al. The Consumption of Hibiscus sabdariffa Dried Calyx Ethanolic Extract Reduced Lipid Profile in Rats. Plant Foods Hum Nutr 60, 153–159 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11130-005-9023-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11130-005-9023-x

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