Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn. improves the aortic damage in diabetic rats by acting as antioxidant

Abstract

Chronic hyperglycaemia produces excessive free radicals which could lead to diabetic complications. Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn. is proven to have high antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic properties. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of H. sabdariffa polyphenol-rich extract (HPE) in the aorta of diabetic rats. Twenty-four male rats were randomly divided into three groups, i.e. non-diabetes mellitus (NDM), diabetes mellitus (DM) and diabetes mellitus with HPE (DM + HPE). HPE at 100 mg/kg or saline as control vehicle were administered daily through oral gavage for 28 days prior to sacrification and the aorta was isolated for further analysis. The glucose level in DM + HPE was significantly lower compared to DM, indicating its potential as an antidiabetic agent. Conversely, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and the level of glutathione (GSH) in DM + HPE were significantly higher than DM. The level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl were significantly lower in DM + HPE than DM. Lipid profile analysis demonstrated a significant decrease in triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL-C in DM + HPE compared to DM, however, HDL-C was significantly increased. Microscopic observation showed a disrupted morphology of the thoracic aorta in diabetic rats. HPE may exert protective effects by acting as an antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant agent to the thoracic aorta in diabetic rats.

Hibiscus sabdariffa in Diabetes Prevention and Treatment—Does It Work? An Evidence-Based Review

“…Also, the duodenal glucose absorption was reduced, while glucose uptake in the muscle and abdominal adipocyte tissue increased after roselle treatment [ 89 ]. The beneficial effect of roselle extracts in diabetic animals on the lipid profile was also presented in other works [ 104 , 110 , 118 , 120 , 121 , 142 , 143 ].…”

“…In all these studies, this extract was administered daily at doses of 100 mg/kg or 150 mg/kg b.w. orally (by gavage or force-feeding) for four weeks [ 65 , 115 , 118 , 119 , 120 , 121 ].…”

“…resulted in the suppression of RAGE and CTFG formation in the aortas of type 2 diabetic rats, thus can be a potential agent preventing diabetic vasculopathies ( Figure 1 ) [ 117 ]. It also improved the structure of vascular smooth muscle cells altered by diabetes [ 65 , 118 ]. Moreover, thanks to its antioxidant properties, it was able to positively affect blood vessels, especially by the ability to prevent oxidative damage to the proteins and lipids within the aortas of the diabetic animals [ 65 , 118 , 120 ], increasing the depleted aortal GSH levels [ 118 , 120 ] and in some cases, increasing the activity of antioxidative enzymes in the thoracic aorta [ 118 ].…”

“…It also improved the structure of vascular smooth muscle cells altered by diabetes [ 65 , 118 ]. Moreover, thanks to its antioxidant properties, it was able to positively affect blood vessels, especially by the ability to prevent oxidative damage to the proteins and lipids within the aortas of the diabetic animals [ 65 , 118 , 120 ], increasing the depleted aortal GSH levels [ 118 , 120 ] and in some cases, increasing the activity of antioxidative enzymes in the thoracic aorta [ 118 ]. Moreover, in another study, the anti-inflammatory effect of aqueous extracts from roselle calyx on the aortas of the STZ-induced T2DM rats was examined.…”