Hibiscus sabdariffa L., roselle calyx, from ethnobotany to pharmacology

iscus sabdariffa L., roselle calyx, from ethnobotany to pharmacology Review (3394) Total Article Views Authors: Carvajal-Zarrabal O, Barradas-Dermitz DM, Orta-Flores Z, Hayward-Jones PM, Nolasco-Hipólito C, Aguilar-Uscanga MG, Miranda-Medina A, Bujang KB Published Date February 2012 Volume 2012:4 Pages 25 - 39 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/JEP.S27974 Received: 06 November 2011 Accepted: 23 November 2011 Published: 29 February 2012 Octavio Carvajal-Zarrabal1, Dulce María Barradas-Dermitz2, Zaida Orta-Flores2, Patricia Margaret Hayward-Jones1, Cirilo Nolasco-Hipólito3, M Guadalupe Aguilar-Uscanga2, Anilú Miranda-Medina2, Kopli Bin Bujang3 1University of Veracruz, Veracruz, Mexico; 2Veracruz Institute of Technology, Veracruz, Mexico; 3University of Malaysia Sarawak, Kuching, Malaysia Abstract: Using MEDLINE and SCOPUS databases, a review of the literature from the pioneering study of 1991 until 2010 was performed on the effects on biological models of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. roselle calyx, its extracts mainly in polar solvents, or pure components found in extracts, as well as their possible relationship to these effects. Three relevant effects on lipid metabolism, antihypertensive activity, and apoptosis were observed. Our chronological review of the studies mentioned in the literature provides another opportunity to see how humans compile scientific knowledge of a chemical structure–physiological activity relationship starting from an ethnobotanical–ethnopharmagognosy contribution. The chemical components that are the main active principles in the physiological activities of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. calyx are anthocyanins and polyphenols (protocatechuic acid and quercetin). Advances have also been made in the elucidation of action mechanisms. Additionally, it has become clear that the lack of standardization in terms of chemical components of the material arising from Hibiscus sabdariffa L. used in testing on biological models imposes limits on the possibility of carrying out comparative analyses between studies. Fortunately, more recent studies are overcoming this obstacle by reporting component concentrations of assumed active principles; however, complete analysis of the extract, if this is to be considered as a therapeutic agent, is not commonly reported in the aforesaid studies. If one of the eventual scenarios for Hibiscus sabdariffa L. calyx is as a therapeutic agent in communities with economic limitations, then studies of a pharmacological nature should guarantee the effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of this material, which is widely accepted to be associated with chemical complexity, thus making this knowledge necessary.