Level of Selected Elements in &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Hibiscus sabdariffa&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; Calyces and &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Lippia asperifolia&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; Leaves and Their Possible Effects on Human Blood Pressure

Abdul Ali Juma Mohamed,Mayassa Salum Ally,Ibrahim Ahmed Abass

doi:10.11648/j.mc.20190704.12

Abstract

The levels of selected elements in Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces and Lippia asperifolia leaves were determined for possible effects on human blood pressure. The aim was to determine the level of selected elements in each species and comparing the iron level, while investigation of their possible effects on human blood pressure was also highlighted. Ten samples each from Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces and Lippia asperifolia leaves were collected from four areas of Zanzibar Island (Bububu and Mtoni for Hibiscus sabdariffa, and Kombeni and Fuoni for Lippia asperifolia). The X-ray fluorescence method of analysis was used using EDXRF equipment at TAEC, Arusha, Tanzania. The summary of the analyzed elements is; Ca in L. asperifolia ˃ Ca in H. sabdariffa; Fe in L. asperifolia ˃ Fe in H. sabdariffa; P in L. asperifolia ˃ Fe in H. sabdariffa; K in L. asperifolia ˂ K in H. sabdariffa. Human blood pressures (fifty participants) were investigated before and after providing each participant with 300 mL of the extracted juice. The participants’ blood pressures were recorded at 30-minute intervals after oral intake of the juice, which was done using clinically validated blood pressure arm monitor. The results obtained show that, the provision of juices caused participants’ Systolic blood pressures (SBPs) as well their Diastolic Blood Pressures (DBPs) to drop remarkably. Following data analysis, the use of juices made from H. sabdariffa calyces and L. asperifolia leaves could be a good source of raising the level human hemoglobin (high iron content present in these plant species). Comparatively, L. asperifolia (due to high iron content present) could be a good and preferred source for increasing human blood level than H. sabdariffa. However, both plant species have negative relationship with SBPs and DBPs. Nevertheless, people are obliged to seek medical advice before their frequent and long consumption of these plant materials, this due to their significant impact on human blood pressure.

Highlights

Traditional medicine remains an important source of health care, in the developing countries such as Zanzibar
Anthocyanins present in Roselle calyces (RC) might be used as a natural food colorant [3], and this is even safer than most synthetic dyes
The findings provide baseline information about the respective potentiality and efficacy of Hibiscus sabdariffa and Lippia asperifolia as human body elemental supplement, blood supplement to the people suffering from blood deficiency and for blood pressure lowering

Summary

Introduction

Traditional medicine remains an important source of health care, in the developing countries such as Zanzibar. In Zanzibar, the traditional medicine has been used in the treatment of different kind of diseases including iron deficiency - anaemia. Ingestion of infusions of RC may help to reduce chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia. This is suggested to be due to the presence and the activity of some compounds, mainly flavonoids and anthocyanins, found as natural antioxidants in Roselle calyces extract (RCE) [2]. Anthocyanins present in RC might be used as a natural food colorant [3], and this is even safer than most synthetic dyes. Synthetic dyes containing azo functional groups and aromatic rings may have negative effects on human health including allergic and asthmatic reactions Some synthetic dyes are considered to have potential carcinogenic and mutagenic effect to humans [7]

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