Pharmacological Evidence for Extracts and Secondary Metabolites from Plants of the Genus Hibiscus
January 2010
in “
Food Chemistry
”
TLDR Hibiscus plant extracts may have health benefits like lowering blood pressure and protecting the heart.
The document from 2010 reviews the pharmacological properties of extracts and secondary metabolites from plants of the genus Hibiscus, particularly focusing on the species Hibiscus sabdariffa, Hibiscus tiliaceus, and Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. It highlights their potential bioactive properties, including antioxidant, cardioprotective, antihypertensive, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and antidiabetic activities. The review notes the traditional medicinal uses of these species and the scientific investigations into their biological activities. For Hibiscus sabdariffa, a clinical trial involving 54 patients demonstrated a significant reduction in blood pressure after daily consumption of an aqueous extract, and another trial with 39 patients showed its effectiveness in blood pressure reduction comparable to the drug captopril. The document emphasizes the need for further research to isolate and identify the bioactive components responsible for these effects and suggests the genus Hibiscus, especially H. sabdariffa, as a potential source for developing new drugs for various conditions, including cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
