Abstract
Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.), also known as jamaica in Spanish, is a perennial plant that grows in tropical and subtropical regions, including China, Egypt, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria, Thailand, and Saudi Arabia. It has a long history of uses, mainly focused on culinary, botanical, floral, cosmetic, and medicinal uses. The latter being of great impact due to the diuretic, choleretic, analgesic, antitussive, antihypertensive, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and anti-cancer effects. These therapeutic properties have been attributed to the bioactive compounds of the plant, mainly phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and organic acids (citric, hydroxycitric, hibiscus, tartaric, malic, and ascorbic). Most literature reviews and meta-analyses on the therapeutic potential of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (Hs) compounds have not adequately addressed the contributions of its organic acids present in the Hs extracts. This review compiles information from published research (in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies) on demonstrated pharmacological properties of organic acids found in Hs. The intent is to encourage and aid researchers to expand their studies on the pharmacologic and therapeutic effects of Hs to include assessments of the organic acid components.
Highlights
Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.), known as jamaica in Spanish, is a perennial plant that grows in tropical and subtropical regions, including China, Egypt, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria, Thailand, and Saudi Arabia
The results indicated that there was no relevant difference in the proportion of the weight of the organs analyzed in any dose; while the level of malondialdehyde levels (MDA) was significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner [23]
The scientific evidence shown in this manuscript confirms that the organic acids present in Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (Hs) may have important therapeutic and/or pharmacological effects for humans
Summary
Hs has a long history of uses ranging from China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Sudan, and some countries in South America [1]. The fresh or dried calyces and the flower pods of Hs are used for the preparation of hot and cold drinks, tea, fermented beverages, wines, jams, jellies, ice cream, chocolates, aromatic agents, and cakes [1]. In Egypt, calyces are used to make “cacody tea” and fermented beverages, while in Sudan and Nigeria, they are boiled with sugar to produce a beverage known as Karkade or Zoborodo. There is evidence (in Sudan, Malaysia, China and Africa) that its leaves are ingested raw or cooked, like a vegetable, while the seeds are eaten roasted or ground and used to prepare oils or as a substitute for coffee [4]. 2020, 8, x FORantiparasitic, PEER REVIEW and anti-cancer capacities (Figure 1) [1,7,8,9,10,11,12,13]
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