Effects of Hibiscus Sabdariffa Extracts on 2, 4-Dinitrophenylhydrazine-induced Cytotoxicity in Rabbits

This study examines the effects of aqueous and anthocyanin-rich extracts of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces on 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH)-induced biochemical changes in the blood, brain and liver of rabbits. Changes in tissue levels of glucose and protein were used as indices of alteration and protection. Thirty male adult rabbits used for the study were divided into six groups. Group 1, the control took only water while animals in groups 2,3,5 and 6 received 100 mg/kg body weight of the extracts once daily for 28 days. After 22nd day of treatment, the rabbits in groups 4, 5 and 6 received 28 mg/kg body weight of DNPH for the remaining 5 days of treatment, after which the animals were sacrificed. Relative to control, animals treated with DNPH alone (Group 4) showed significant (p<0.05) reduction in the levels of glucose and protein in the tissues. However, animals treated with each of the aqueous extract and anthocyanin-rich extract prior to DNPH administration (Groups 5 and 6), showed no significant alteration in the tissue levels of these parameters. Our findings show that extracts of the Hibiscus sabdariffa contain phytochemicals that effectively ameliorate 2, 4-dinitrophenylhydrazine-induced cytotoxicity in rabbits.