Beneficial Effects of Natural Bioactive Compounds from Hibiscus sabdariffa L. on Obesity

Abstract

Obesity is a condition associated with the accumulation of excess fat in the body, energy imbalance, lipogenesis, etc., which increases adipose tissue mass through adipogenesis and poses a health risk. Its prevalence has become an economic burden to the health care system and the world at large. One of the alternatives to tackling obesity involves the use of bioactive compounds. We critically examined the effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa extract (HSE) on various parameters associated with the development of obesity such as; the effect of HSE on body weight, the effect of HSE on lipid accumulation, cholesterol metabolism and plasma parameters, the inhibitory effect of HSE on pancreatic lipase, and the effect of HSE on adipocyte differentiation/adipogenesis. This review has gathered reports on the various anti-obesity effects of H. sabdariffa bioactive compounds in cell and animal models, as well as in humans. Available toxicology information on the consumption of H. sabdariffa revealed that its toxicity is dose-dependent and may cause an adverse effect when administered over a long period of time. Reports have shown that H. sabdariffa derived bioactive compounds are potent in the treatment of obesity with an evident reduction in body weight, inhibition of lipid accumulation and suppression of adipogenesis through the PPARγ pathway and other transcriptional factors.

Effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa (Roselle) supplementation in regulating blood lipids among patients with metabolic syndrome and related disorders: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Accumulating evidence suggested that abundant bioactive compounds found in H. sabdariffa are responsible for its health‐promoting function (Ojulari, Lee, & Nam, ). Yang et al (Yang et al, ) reported that H. sabdariffa polyphenols exhibited more potency to reduce cholesterol than the crude extract, and its mechanism is associated with AMPK activation and SREBP‐1 reduction.…”

Therapeutic Effect of Seaweed Derived Xanthophyl Carotenoid on Obesity Management; Overview of the Last Decade

“…The molecular mechanism of obesity mediated by cytokines, adiponectin, and leptin has been correlated with increasing inflammation and oxidative stress, and leads to the development of metabolic diseases including certain types of cancer; hyperglycemia; type 2 diabetes; high blood pressure; and liver, heart, and gallbladder diseases [2,7]; which pose major health risks globally [8]. Specifically, obesity and type 2 diabetes are associated with an increase in oxidative stress and inflammation in adipose tissues [2,9,10].…”

“…Specifically, obesity and type 2 diabetes are associated with an increase in oxidative stress and inflammation in adipose tissues [2,9,10]. Consequently, researchers have been exploring functional materials of plant origin that contain antioxidants to combat obesity and its comorbidities, as alternatives to conventional approaches that have been adopted previously-including surgery and anti-obesity drugs, which do not often have enduring effects and have side effects including headaches, excessive thirst, insomnia, constipation, and steatorrhea [11], or may have yo-yo effects [8,12]. Therefore, the consideration of antioxidants as therapeutic agents in the treatment and/or prevention of obesity and its comorbidities would be insightful.…”

Reversing UVB‐induced photoaging with Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx aqueous extract

“…The edible calyces can be made into jam, jelly, sauce, and wine; its seeds contain high protein and are used as a food ingredient in Africa . Bioactive ingredients of H. sabdariffa , such as anthocyanins, anthocyanidins with a sugar moiety, gallic acid, syringic acid, caffeic acid, and flavonoids have been widely studied for their antimicrobial, plasma‐cholesterol reducing, and immune‐regulating functions . Studies have also reported that extracts from H. sabdariffa inhibit cancer cell metastasis .…”

“…12 Bioactive ingredients of H. sabdariffa, such as anthocyanins, anthocyanidins with a sugar moiety, gallic acid, syringic acid, caffeic acid, and flavonoids have been widely studied for their antimicrobial, plasma-cholesterol reducing, and immune-regulating functions. [13][14][15][16] Studies have also reported that extracts from H. sabdariffa inhibit cancer cell metastasis. 17,18 It is known that flavonoids inhibit oxidative stress in vitro by acting either as free radical scavengers or as metal chelating agents.…”