Therapeutic effects of anthocyanin-rich Hibiscus sabdariffa L. extract on body mass index, lipid profile and fatty liver in obese-hypercholesterolaemic rat model

Abstract

Background: Hibiscus sabdariffa L. or Roselle, is one of the most common flower plants cultivated worldwide. Traditionally, it is claimed to reduce weight and cholesterol level. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of anthocyanin-rich Roselle aqueous extract on the physical, biochemical and histological changes in obese-hypercholesterolaemic rat model.Methods: Thirty Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into five groups (n=6 per group). Group 1 is normal control (NC) rat that was fed with normal diet. The remaining rats (Group 2-5) were fed with commercial high-fat diet (HFD) for 6 weeks to induce obese-hypercholesterolaemic (OH) rat. After induction, the OH rats were divided into 4 groups: OH-Untreated group, OH-ARTE; OH treated with 300 mg/kg Roselle aqueous (anthocyanin-rich) and 1% trifluoroacetic acid extract (ARTE), OH-Orlistat; OH treated with 37 mg/kg orlistat and OH-Atorvastatin; OH treated with 10 mg/kg atorvastatin. After the 3 weeks intervention period, all rats were sacrificed. Body mass index, lipid profile and liver enzymes were evaluated. The liver section was subjected to hematoxylin and eosin staining for histopathological evaluation.Results: This study showed that 3 weeks administration of ARTE significantly reduced BMI, improved levels of lipid profile and liver enzymes, and histopathological changes of liver when compared to OH-untreated rats. The results were also comparable to the standard drugs.Conclusions: This study suggested that Roselle extract constitutes an effective and safe alternate treatment for obesity and hyperlipidaemia.

Dietary Effects of Anthocyanins in Human Health: A Comprehensive Review

“…Given the resistance developed to the current pharmaceutical drugs administrated, the ingestion of anthocyanin-rich products has been encouraged. In fact, anthocyanins already showed mechanisms capable to diminish insulin resistance, hyperglycaemia, proinflammatory cytokines, and radical species; inhibit gluconeogenesis and the action of the α -amylase and α -glucosidase carbohydrate-hydrolysing enzymes; and, consequently, restore the glucose levels, incentive insulin secretion, and pancreatic β -cells proliferation [ 198 , 199 ].…”

“…Converted into human equivalent doses, these ones are estimated to be 1.5 g/day of total anthocyanins for an average adult [ 56 ]. Furthermore, the daily administration of anthocyanins from Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (300 mg/kg) in obese-hypercholesterolemic rats revealed the capacity to reduce their weight, as well as to improve their lipid profile and liver enzymes action over 3 weeks of treatment in comparison to the group that did not receive the diet [ 198 ]. Blueberry anthocyanins also showed anti-obesity effects.…”

Plant and Marine-Derived Natural Product Research in Drug Discovery: Strengths and Perspective

“…Converted into human equivalent doses, these ones are estimated to be 1.5 g/day of total anthocyanins for an average adult [56]. Furthermore, the daily administration of anthocyanins from Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (300 mg/kg) in obese-hypercholesterolemic rats revealed the capacity to reduce their weight, as well as to improve their lipid profile and liver enzymes action over 3 weeks of treatment in comparison to the group that did not receive the diet [198]. Blueberry anthocyanins also showed anti-obesity effects.…”