Action Mechanism of Rosella (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) Used to Treat Metabolic Syndrome in Elderly Women

Abstract

Objective. Rosella is a safe medicinal herb used by people in Indonesia. They believe that rosella is effective in controlling metabolic syndrome, working with antihypertension, antidiabetic, antidyslipidemia and antiobesity effects. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of rosella in controlling metabolic syndrome through the secretion of blood nitric oxide (NO) and the cortisol pathway. Methods. This study was a quasiexperimental, pretest-posttest with control group design. The total subjects were 18 people, women, and the elderly. Subjects were selected randomly into 2 groups: control group (n = 8) and treatment group (n = 8). The treatment was rosella tea, a dose of 2 grams, duration 2 times a day, given in the morning (08.00–8.30 a.m.) and evening (06.30–7.00 p.m.) after meals for 21 days. Examination of NO and cortisol levels was carried out using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Results. There was a significant decrease in bodyweight (BW) (p=0.021), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (p=0.001), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (p=0.049), glucose preprandial (FPG) (p=0.014), total cholesterol (CT) (p=0.001), triglycerides (TGs) (p=0.014), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (p=0.001), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (p=0.010) after consuming rosella. NO levels were significantly increased (p=0.012), whereas cortisol levels decreased significantly (p=0.008) after therapy with rosella tea in elderly women. Conclusion. Rosella has shown evidence to control and lower blood pressure, blood glucose, lipid profile, and cortisol in the elderly with metabolic syndrome. Rosella is a traditional medicine that has the potential to be developed as a therapy for metabolic syndrome patients.

Nutritional and lifestyle intervention strategies for metabolic syndrome in Southeast Asia: A scoping review of recent evidence

“…The Harmonized criteria was most used to define MetS among participants ( n = 4), followed closely by the modified NCEP ATP III and IDF criteria with three and two studies, respectively. The study by Wahid et al [ 34 ] has reported MetS criteria other than the known definitions, while another study by Yusni et al [ 31 ] did not specify the criteria used.…”

“…Four studies [ 31 , 33 – 35 ] reported in Southeast Asia focused on nutritional interventions within the recent ten years. Of the four, three studies [ 31 , 34 , 35 ] reported nutraceuticals or supplements.…”

“…Two studies reported on plant-based nutritional interventions: one on black seed oil [ 34 ] and the other on rosella ( Hibiscus sabdariffa L .) tea [ 31 ]. Both studies were conducted in Indonesia and lasted for approximately three weeks.…”

“…In the first study, 62 participants were allocated equally into two groups: a control group and an intervention group where 3mL of black seed oil—a Nigella sativa seed extract—was given daily for 20 days [ 34 ]. On the other hand, the quasi-experimental study on rosella tea was performed on 18 older women over 60 on treatment for hypertension and diabetes [ 31 ]. Twice a day, subjects in the intervention arm were given 2 grams (equivalent to 5 calyces) of rosella mixed with 150 ml of boiling water [ 31 ].…”

“…On the other hand, the quasi-experimental study on rosella tea was performed on 18 older women over 60 on treatment for hypertension and diabetes [ 31 ]. Twice a day, subjects in the intervention arm were given 2 grams (equivalent to 5 calyces) of rosella mixed with 150 ml of boiling water [ 31 ]. Concurrently, the control group continued with their antihypertensive and antidiabetic therapy without rosella.…”