Hibiscus Rosa Sinensis L. Anthocyanins Prevent Lipid Peroxidation and Improve Antioxidant Status in the Liver of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

The study conducted by Velappan Nair Saralakumari Kalpana and colleagues evaluated the effects of anthocyanins present in the petals of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis on oxidative stress and antioxidant status in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats, and the Hibiscus rosa sinensis anthocyanins (HA) extract was orally administered to these rats for 30 days. The results showed that the administration of HA significantly modulated altered levels of glucose, glycated hemoglobin, toxicity markers, and lipid profile in serum. It also reduced oxidative stress and increased the levels of antioxidant enzymes in the liver. The study concluded that Hibiscus anthocyanin supplementation could protect the livers of diabetic rats by protecting the hepatocytes from oxidative stress and increasing the antioxidant enzymes' activity.