Hibiscus sabdariffa extract alleviates vascular complications in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig Universiy

2 Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt.

Abstract

Vascular diseases are the most important diabetic complications. Its pathophysiology involves abnormalities in vascular endothelium caused by sustained hyperglycemia, increased uric acid, increased oxidative stress, and inflammation mediated through toll-like receptor 4 (TLR 4) pathway. Hibiscus sabdariffa has been used traditionally in food products and it possesses anti-diabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hypertensive effects. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of hibiscus extract against diabetic vascular complications. Diabetes was induced by a single injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 55 mg/kg, i.p.). Diabetic rats were treated with hibiscus extract (100, 200, or 400 mg/kg), lisinopril (5 mg/kg), or lisinopril plus hibiscus (2.5/100 mg/kg) daily for 8 weeks. Hibiscus extract significantly and dose-dependently improved abnormalities in serum lipids and blood pressure. Additionally, it suppressed oxidative stress, inflammation, particularly the upregulation of TLR 4 induced by STZ. There were no significant differences between the effects of hibiscus (400 mg/kg) and lisinopril (5 mg/kg). The effects of the combined administration of lisinopril plus hibiscus (2.5/100 mg/kg) were significantly better compared with either lisinopril or hibiscus alone. These results suggest the use of hibiscus as an alternative to the conventional use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or at least in combination with a small dose to enhance their effects in diabetic vascular complications.

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