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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2019 Feb 5;11(2):341.
doi: 10.3390/nu11020341.

Acute Effects of Hibiscus Sabdariffa Calyces on Postprandial Blood Pressure, Vascular Function, Blood Lipids, Biomarkers of Insulin Resistance and Inflammation in Humans

Salisu M Abubakar  1   2 , Moses T Ukeyima  3   4 , Jeremy P E Spencer  5   6 , Julie A Lovegrove  7
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Acute Effects of Hibiscus Sabdariffa Calyces on Postprandial Blood Pressure, Vascular Function, Blood Lipids, Biomarkers of Insulin Resistance and Inflammation in Humans

Salisu M Abubakar et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Background/objectives: The acute impact of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces (HSC) extract on postprandial vascular function and other cardiometabolic risk factors have not been studied previously. This study investigated the acute impact of HSC extract consumption on blood pressure (BP), vascular function and other cardiometabolic risk markers.

Subjects/methods: Twenty-five men with 1% to 10% cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk (determined by QRISK®2) were randomised to consume either 250 mL of the aqueous extract of HSC or water with breakfast in a randomised, controlled, single-blinded, 2-meal cross-over study (ClinicalTrials.gov, NTC02165553) with a two weeks washout period between study days. BP was measured at baseline and hourly for 4 h. Flow mediated dilatation (FMD) of the branchial artery was measured at baseline, 2 and 4 h post intervention drink consumption.

Results: Acute consumption of aqueous extract of HSC caused a significant increase in % FMD (p < 0.001), a non-significant decrease in systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP); non-significant increase in urinary and plasma nitric oxide (NOx) and reduced response of serum glucose, plasma insulin, serum triacylglycerol and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels; significant (p = 0.026) improvement in the area under systemic antioxidant response curve (0 to 2 h); no significant changes in arterial stiffness following the acute consumption of the extract of HSC. Gallic acid, 4-O-methylgallic acid, 3-O-methylgallic acid and hippuric acid reached a maximum plasma concentration at 1 to 2 h post consumption of the extract of HSC.

Conclusion: The extract of HSC improved postprandial vascular function and may be a useful dietary strategy to reduce endothelial dysfunction and CVD risk, although this requires confirmation.

Keywords: Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces; postprandial blood pressure; vascular function.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT)-guided study flow diagram.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Mean (±SEM) plasma difference relative to baseline of (a) gallic aid, (b) 4-O-Methylgallic acid, (c) 3-O-Methylgallic acid and (d) hippuric acid after hibiscus drink consumption with a high fat meal followed by a medium fat meal at 2 h post drink consumption. An asterisk (*) means significant difference relative to baseline; Δ means change in.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Changes in (a) systolic blood pressure (SBP), (b) diastolic blood pressure (DBP), (c) heart rate (HR), (d) pulse pressure (PP), after hibiscus drink (solid lines) or water consumption (dotted lines) relative to baseline. There were no significant differences between hibiscus and water groups in each case. Δ means change in.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Changes in (a) % FMD, (b) urinary nitrite (NO2), (c) urinary nitrate (NO3), (d) urinary NOx, (e) plasma nitrite (NO2), (f) plasma nitrate (NO3) and (g) plasma NOx relative to baseline after hibiscus drink (solid lines) or water (dotted lines) consumption. An asterisk (*) means p < 0.001. Δ means change in.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Changes in (a) % FMD, (b) urinary nitrite (NO2), (c) urinary nitrate (NO3), (d) urinary NOx, (e) plasma nitrite (NO2), (f) plasma nitrate (NO3) and (g) plasma NOx relative to baseline after hibiscus drink (solid lines) or water (dotted lines) consumption. An asterisk (*) means p < 0.001. Δ means change in.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Changes in (a) % FMD, (b) urinary nitrite (NO2), (c) urinary nitrate (NO3), (d) urinary NOx, (e) plasma nitrite (NO2), (f) plasma nitrate (NO3) and (g) plasma NOx relative to baseline after hibiscus drink (solid lines) or water (dotted lines) consumption. An asterisk (*) means p < 0.001. Δ means change in.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Changes in postprandial CRP-US response relative to baseline after hibiscus drink (solid line) or water (dotted line) consumption. Δ means change in.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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