Hibiscus sabdariffa extract reduces serum cholesterol in men and women

Hibiscus sabdariffia Linne (Malvaceae), a plant long used as a soft drink and medical herb in Taiwan, has been found to reduce blood lipids in animals. To investigate the cholesterol-lowering potential of H. sabdariffa extract (HSE) in human subjects, a clinical study was conducted using an oral preparation of HSE capsules. The study consisted of 42 volunteers who were observed over a period of 4 weeks. The volunteers ranged from 18 to 75 years old with a cholesterol level of 175 to 327 mg/dL. Subjects were randomly assigned to 3 groups: group I (I capsule of HSE during each meal), group II (2 capsules), and group III (3 capsules). Serum cholesterol levels were determined at baseline before the study commenced and at 2 and 4 weeks of the treatment period. In general, taking HSE led to a significant decrease in serum cholesterol level in subjects from groups I and II after 4 weeks. After HSE had been administered for 2 weeks, serum cholesterol levels were found to be lower in all groups (P < .05 for groups I-III) compared with baseline values by 7.8% to 8.2%. A similar response was observed, a reduction in serum cholesterol level by 8.3% to 14.4%, after 4 weeks of taking the supplement. It is important to note that the serum cholesterol level for 71% of group II volunteers was significantly lowered with a mean reduction of 12% (P < .05). We conclude that a dosage of 2 capsules of HSE (with a meal) for I month can significantly lower the serum cholesterol level. The observation of lowered serum cholesterol in these subjects suggests that HSE may be effective in hypercholesterolemic patients. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.