EARLY CONSUMPTION OF HIBISCUS SABDARIFA ATTENUATES THE SEVERITY OF TYPE 2 DIABETES IN A WISTAR RAT MODEL

Diabetes constitute a serious challenge for many health system and families due to the cost of its care. Alternatively, traditional plants offer a huge potential for health care. Thus, many plants have been used in form beverage including the use of Hibiscus sabdarifa (HS) as tea. Recent data suggested the beneficial effect of HS cardiometabolic diseases models. In this study, we evaluated the preventive and curative effects of crude extract of HS in a type 2 diabetes rat model. Through in vitro complexion and/ or precipitation reactions, we qualitatively assessed the phytochemical composition of the crude extract of HS for different groups of secondary metabolites. The antiradical scavenging activity was assessed through hydroxyl radical test. Type 2 diabetes was induced by high fat diet (HFD) and single dose streptozotocine (STZ) injection. Body weight change and blood biochemical analysis were carried out. Data were statistically analyzed. HS contains different phytochemical polyphenolic compounds such as tanins and flavonoids and presented an interesting antiradical scavenging activity. Early intake from experimental day (ED1) of crude extract of HS significantly prevented gain in body weight (P < 0.05), reduced T2D induced elevated glucose (P < 0.01) and lipids (P < 0.01) and has better outcome as compared to late intake (from ED14). These findings confirm and supports the use of HS as tea and may offer protective effect to consumers by regulating blood sugar and lipid profile.