Effects of methanolic calyx extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa on body weight, blood cholesterol and liver marker enzymes in Wistar rats

Abstract

Eighty male albino rats were used to investigate the effects of methanolic calyx extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa on body weight, blood cholesterol and liver enzymes markers. Twenty-eight days oral administration of 100, 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight of the extract showed a significant (p<0.05) time-dependent decrease in the body weights of all the treated groups when compared with the control, with 100 mg/kg causing significant (p<0.05) decrease at weeks 2 and 4, respectively when compared with other treatment doses. The extract significantly (p>0.05) decreased the serum cholesterol and increased the liver marker enzymes (ALP, ALT and AST) in dose-dependent and time-dependent manner, when compared with the control. However, on day 21, the group treated with 400 mg/kg showed a significant (p<0.05) increase the serum cholesterol, and decrease in liver marker enzymes when compared with the rest of the treatment groups. Histopathology from all the treatment groups revealed graded degrees of vacuolar degeneration of the hepatocytes and peri-portal infiltration of mononuclear leucocytes. The results of this present study suggests that the methanolic calyx extract of H. sabdariffa possesses anti-obesity and hypocholesterolemic potentials which should be harnessed with caution due to its tendency to adversely affect the liver.

Physiological Effects and Human Health Benefits of Hibiscus sabdariffa: A Review of Clinical Trials

“…On the other hand, in healthy rats, aqueous extract of HS (200 mg/kg bw) reduced total cholesterol levels, increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) content [82]. Furthermore, the methanolic calyx extract of HS (100 to 800 mg/kg bw) significantly decreased serum cholesterol and increased the liver marker enzymes (alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)) in a dose-dependent response compared to the control group [83]. These effects were attributed to the abundant antioxidant phytochemicals in HS extracts [82][83][84].…”

“…Furthermore, the methanolic calyx extract of HS (100 to 800 mg/kg bw) significantly decreased serum cholesterol and increased the liver marker enzymes (alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)) in a dose-dependent response compared to the control group [83]. These effects were attributed to the abundant antioxidant phytochemicals in HS extracts [82][83][84]. Additionally, the aqueous extract from HS calyx improved hematological parameters in healthy rats, which may be used to manage anemia [69,85].…”

Physiological Effects and Human Health Benefits of Hibiscus sabdariffa: A Review of Clinical Trials

“…On the other hand, in healthy rats, aqueous extract of HS (200 mg/kg bw) reduced total cholesterol levels, increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) content [82]. Furthermore, the methanolic calyx extract of HS (100 to 800 mg/kg bw) significantly decreased serum cholesterol and increased the liver marker enzymes (alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)) in a dose-dependent response compared to the control group [83]. These effects were attributed to the abundant antioxidant phytochemicals in HS extracts [82][83][84].…”

“…Furthermore, the methanolic calyx extract of HS (100 to 800 mg/kg bw) significantly decreased serum cholesterol and increased the liver marker enzymes (alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)) in a dose-dependent response compared to the control group [83]. These effects were attributed to the abundant antioxidant phytochemicals in HS extracts [82][83][84]. Additionally, the aqueous extract from HS calyx improved hematological parameters in healthy rats, which may be used to manage anemia [69,85].…”

Physiological Effects and Human Health Benefits of Hibiscus sabdariffa: A Review of Clinical Trials

“…On the other hand, in healthy rats, aqueous extract of HS (200 mg/kg bw) reduced total cholesterol levels, increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) content [82]. Furthermore, the methanolic calyx extract of HS (100 to 800 mg/kg bw) significantly decreased serum cholesterol and increased the liver marker enzymes (alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)) in a dose-dependent response compared to the control group [83]. These effects were attributed to the abundant antioxidant phytochemicals in HS extracts [82][83][84].…”

“…Furthermore, the methanolic calyx extract of HS (100 to 800 mg/kg bw) significantly decreased serum cholesterol and increased the liver marker enzymes (alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)) in a dose-dependent response compared to the control group [83]. These effects were attributed to the abundant antioxidant phytochemicals in HS extracts [82][83][84]. Additionally, the aqueous extract from HS calyx improved hematological parameters in healthy rats, which may be used to manage anemia [69,85].…”

Physiological Effects and Human Health Benefits of Hibiscus sabdariffa: A Review of Clinical Trials

“…On the other hand, in healthy rats, aqueous extract of HS (200 mg/kg bw) reduced total cholesterol levels, increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) content [82]. Furthermore, the methanolic calyx extract of HS (100 to 800 mg/kg bw) significantly decreased serum cholesterol and increased the liver marker enzymes (alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)) in a dose-dependent response compared to the control group [83]. These effects were attributed to the abundant antioxidant phytochemicals in HS extracts [82][83][84].…”

“…Furthermore, the methanolic calyx extract of HS (100 to 800 mg/kg bw) significantly decreased serum cholesterol and increased the liver marker enzymes (alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)) in a dose-dependent response compared to the control group [83]. These effects were attributed to the abundant antioxidant phytochemicals in HS extracts [82][83][84]. Additionally, the aqueous extract from HS calyx improved hematological parameters in healthy rats, which may be used to manage anemia [69,85].…”