title: The protective effect of aqueous extracts of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L. UKMR-2) against red blood cell membrane oxidative stress in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of aqueous extracts of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L. UKMR-2) against red blood cell (RBC) membrane oxidative stress in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 230-250 g were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10 rats each): control group (N), roselle-treated control group, diabetic group, and roselle-treated diabetic group. Roselle was administered by force-feeding with aqueous extracts of roselle (100 mg/kg body weight) for 28 days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results demonstrated that the malondialdehyde levels of the red blood cell membranes in the diabetic group were significantly higher than the levels in the roselle-treated control and roselle-treated diabetic groups. The protein carbonyl level was significantly higher in the roselle-treated diabetic group than in the roselle-treated control group but lower than that in the diabetic group. A significant increase in the red blood cell membrane superoxide dismutase enzyme was found in roselle-treated diabetic rats compared with roselle-treated control rats and diabetic rats. The total protein level of the red blood cell membrane, osmotic fragility, and red blood cell morphology were maintained.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study demonstrates that aqueous extracts of roselle possess a protective effect against red blood cell membrane oxidative stress in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. These data suggest that roselle can be used as a natural antioxidative supplement in the prevention of oxidative damage in diabetic patients.
authors.affiliation: Programme of Biomedical Sciences, Jalan Raja Muda Aziz, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Diagnostic & Applied Health Sciences, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Jamaludin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mohamed
authors.forename: Saw Wuan
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Shing
authors.forename: Muhd Hanis Md
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Idris
authors.forename: Siti Balkis
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Budin
authors.forename: Satirah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zainalabidin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D001835:Body Weight; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism*; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*; D031584:Hibiscus / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013311:Streptozocin; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D013311:Streptozocin; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase