title: Hibiscus sabdariffa L. - a phytochemical and pharmacological review.
abstract: Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (Hs, roselle; Malvaceae) has been used traditionally as a food, in herbal drinks, in hot and cold beverages, as a flavouring agent in the food industry and as a herbal medicine. In vitro and in vivo studies as well as some clinical trials provide some evidence mostly for phytochemically poorly characterised Hs extracts. Extracts showed antibacterial, anti-oxidant, nephro- and hepato-protective, renal/diuretic effect, effects on lipid metabolism (anti-cholesterol), anti-diabetic and anti-hypertensive effects among others. This might be linked to strong antioxidant activities, inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase, inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzymes (ACE), and direct vaso-relaxant effect or calcium channel modulation. Phenolic acids (esp. protocatechuic acid), organic acid (hydroxycitric acid and hibiscus acid) and anthocyanins (delphinidin-3-sambubioside and cyanidin-3-sambubioside) are likely to contribute to the reported effects. More well designed controlled clinical trials are needed which use phytochemically characterised preparations. Hs has an excellent safety and tolerability record.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, UCL School of Pharmacy, University of London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK.
authors.forename: Inês
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Da-Costa-Rocha
authors.affiliation: Plantextrakt GmbH & Co. KG, Dutendorfer Str. 5-7, D-91487 Vestenbergsgreuth, Germany.
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bonnlaender
authors.affiliation: Phytolab GmbH & Co. KG, Dutendorfer Str. 5-7, D-91487 Vestenbergsgreuth, Germany.
authors.forename: Hartwig
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sievers
authors.affiliation: Centre for Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, UCL School of Pharmacy, University of London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK; Phytolab GmbH & Co. KG, Dutendorfer Str. 5-7, D-91487 Vestenbergsgreuth, Germany.
authors.forename: Ivo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pischel
authors.affiliation: Centre for Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, UCL School of Pharmacy, University of London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK. Electronic address: m.heinrich@ucl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heinrich
mesh_terms: D031584:Hibiscus / Q000737:chemistry*; D064209:Phytochemicals / Q000737:chemistry*; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D064209:Phytochemicals; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Anthocyanins; Anti-diabetic; Anti-oxidant; Hibiscus acid; Hydroxycitric acid; Lipid metabolism (anti-cholesterol); Malvaceae; Nephro- and hepato-protective; Protocatechuic acid; Renal/diuretic effect; Roselle