title: Hibiscus sabdariffa extract lowers blood pressure and improves endothelial function.
abstract: Polyphenols from Hibiscus sabdariffa calices were administered to patients with metabolic syndrome (125 mg/kg/day for 4 wk, n = 31) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (125 or 60 mg/kg in a single dose or daily for 1 wk, n = 8 for each experimental group). The H. sabdariffa extract improved metabolism, displayed potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, and significantly reduced blood pressure in both humans and rats. Diuresis and inhibition of the angiotensin I-converting enzyme were found to be less important mechanisms than those related to the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and endothelium-dependent effects to explain the beneficial actions. Notably, polyphenols induced a favorable endothelial response that should be considered in the management of metabolic cardiovascular risks.
authors.affiliation: Unitat de Recerca Biomèdica, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan, Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Campus of International Excellence Southern Catalonia, Reus, Spain.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Joven
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: March
authors.forename: Eugenia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Espinel
authors.forename: Salvador
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fernández-Arroyo
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Gallego
authors.forename: Gerard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Aragonès
authors.forename: Raúl
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Beltrán-Debón
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alonso-Villaverde
authors.forename: Lidia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rios
authors.forename: Vicente
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Martin-Paredero
authors.forename: Javier A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Menendez
authors.forename: Vicente
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Micol
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Segura-Carretero
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Camps
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D004727:Endothelium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D031584:Hibiscus / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000378:metabolism; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011918:Rats, Inbred SHR; D011921:Rats, Inbred WKY
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D059808:Polyphenols; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A
keywords: Diuresis; Hypertension; Inflammation; Oxidative stress; Phytochemicals