Effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa on obesity in MSG mice

The aim of the present investigation was determine whether a standardized Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces aqueous extract has an effect on body weight in an obese animal model induced by the administration of monosodium glutamate. Hibiscus sabdariffa aqueous extract, containing 33.64 mg of total anthocyanins per each 120 mg of extract, was orally administered (120 mg/kg/day) for 60 days to healthy and obese mice, and body weight gain, food and liquid intake, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), cholesterol, and triglycerides levels were measured. Hibiscus sabdariffa administration significantly reduced body weight gain in obese mice and increased liquid intake in healthy and obese mice. ALT levels were significantly increased on the 15th and 45th days in obese mice, but AST levels did not show significant changes. Mortality was not observed in the Hibiscus sabdariffa treated groups. Triglycerides and cholesterol levels showed non-significant reductions in animals treated with Hibiscus sabdariffa. Our data confirm the anti-obesity effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa reported by the Mexican population.     

Anticlastogenic effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa fruits against sodium arsenite-induced micronuclei formation in erythrocytes in mouse bone marrow

An in vivo micronucleus assay using albino mice was used to examine the anticlastogenic effects of a crude aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa fruits in bone marrow cells of mice. Various doses of freshly prepared crude extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg b.w.) were given by gavaging to male laboratory bred Swiss albino mice for 7 days as a dietary supplement followed by a single dose of sodium arsenite (2.5 mg/kg b.w.) After 24 h, the animals were killed and bone marrow smears were prepared and stained in Giemsa. The results show that sodium arsenite effectively induced micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes (PCEs). Administration of a crude extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa led to a significant reduction of micronuclei in PCEs. The results also show that a combination of Hibiscus sabdariffa and sodium arsenite reduced significantly the frequencies of micronucleated PCEs induced by sodium arsenite.     

Phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological aspects of Hibiscus sabdariffa L.: a review

This article reviews the reported phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological properties of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (English: roselle, red sorrel; Arabic: karkade), the calyces of which are used in many parts of the world to make cold and hot drinks. Nutritionally, these contain ascorbic acid (vitamin C). In folk medicine, the calyx extracts are used for the treatment of several complaints, including high blood pressure, liver diseases and fever.The pharmacological actions of the calyx extracts include strong in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity. In rats and rabbits, the extract showed antihypercholesterolaemic, antinociceptive and antipyretic, but not antiinflammatory activities. In rat and man a strong antihypertensive action has been demonstrated. The effects of the calyx extracts on smooth muscles in vitro are variable, but they mostly inhibit the tone of the isolated muscles. In healthy men, consumption of H. sabdariffa has resulted in significant decreases in the urinary concentrations of creatinine, uric acid, citrate, tartrate, calcium, sodium, potassium and phosphate, but not oxalate. Oil extracted from the plant's seeds has been shown to have an inhibitory effect on some bacteria and fungi in vitro.The plant extracts are characterized by a very low degree of toxicity. The LD50 of H. sabdariffa calyx extract in rats was found to be above 5000 mg/kg. A single report has suggested that excessive doses for relatively long periods could have a deleterious effect on the testes of rats.In view of its reported nutritional and pharmacological properties and relative safety, H. sabdariffa and compounds isolated from it (for example, anthocyanins and Hibiscus protocatechuic acid) could be a source of therapeutically useful products.     

The effect of a water extract and anthocyanins of hibiscus sabdariffa L on paracetamol-induced hepatoxicity in rats

We investigated the effect of the water extract of the dried flowers of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. and Hibiscus anthocyanins (HAs) (which are a group of natural pigments occurring in the dried calyx of H. sabdariffa) on paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The water extract was given in lieu of drinking water for 2, 3 or 4 consecutive weeks, and the HAs were given orally at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/Kg for five consecutive days. Paracetamol was given orally at a dose of 700 mg/Kg to induce hepatotoxicity at the end of the water extract and Has treatments. Six hours thereafter the rats were killed and their liver function evaluated biochemically and histologically. Given for 4 weeks (but not for 2 or 3 weeks) the extract significantly improved some of the liver function tests evaluated, but did not alter the histology of the paracetamol-treated rats or the pentobarbitone-induced sleeping time. At a dose of 200 mg/Kg, the hepatic histology and the biochemical indices of liver damage were restored to normal. Lower does were ineffective. Pending more evaluation for safety and efficacy, the HAs can potentially be used in mitigating paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity.     

The chemical composition and membrane stability activity of some herbs used in local therapy for anemia

The chemical composition and the membrane stabilizing activity of the decoctions of the dry Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn. (Malvaceae) calyx (Sobo in a Nigerian language), Theobroma cacao Linn. (N.O. Sterculiaceae) root (cocoa) and the dry stalk of white and red cultivars of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench (Poaceae) were determined. These herbs are often used locally for the management of anemia. Ash content was from 3.5 to 7.2%, tannin 7-46 mg/kg catechin equivalent, ascorbic acid content 250-625 mg/kg and total anthocyanin 57-150 mg/kg cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalent. Phytate was not detected in any sample but alkaloids and saponins were present except in Sobo. The decoctions contained 0.2-2.0% of the herbs' total tannin content while the pH was 3.2-6.7. Iron and zinc content was highest in Sobo while Theobroma cacao root contained the highest calcium and magnesium. Solubility and mineral availability were highest in the decoction of Sobo and lowest but available in Theobroma cacao root decoction. The decoction of Theobroma cacao exhibited a high membrane stabilizing activity while those of Sorghum bicolor and Hibiscus sabdariffa were only average. The study indicated that the herbal decoctions could provide some minerals and also help to stabilize the red blood cells from stress injury.     

Protective effects of selected medicinal plants against protein degradation, lipid peroxidation and deformability loss of oxidatively stressed human erythrocytes

The effects of seven medicinal plants including Artemisia herba-alba, Ferula hermonis, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Nigella sativa, Teucrium polium, Trigonella foenum-graecum, and Allium sativum on protein degradation, lipid peroxidation, erythrocyte deformability and osmotic fragility of erythrocytes exposed in vitro to 10 mM H(2)O(2) for 60 min at 37 degrees C have been examined. Preincubation of erythrocytes with Nigella sativa and Allium sativum protected erythrocytes against protein degradation, loss of deformability and increased osmotic fragility caused by H(2)O(2), while the other plants failed to protect erythrocytes against these damages. Artemisia herba-alba did not protect erythrocytes against lipid peroxidation, while Trigonella foenum-graecum unexpectedly increased lipid peroxidation of erythrocytes exposed to H(2)O(2). Ferula hermonis, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Nigella sativa, Teucrium polium and Allium sativum protected erythrocytes against lipid peroxidation. The results indicate the importance of oxidatively damaged cellular proteins in compromising the rheologic behaviour of the erythrocytes, and that the medicinal plants which have anti-protein-oxidant activity (e.g. Nigella sativa and Allium sativum) could be rheologically useful, particularly in pathological conditions related to free radicals.     

Herbal medicines as diuretics: a review of the scientific evidence

There is increasing interest in the health and wellness benefits of herbs and botanicals. This is with good reason as they might offer a natural safeguard against the development of certain conditions and be a putative treatment for some diseases. One such area may be the lowering of blood pressure in those where it is elevated (i.e., hypertension). One class of clinical medicines used to lower blood pressure are known as diuretics and work by increasing the excretion of urine from the body as well as the amount of sodium in urine. There are a growing number of studies purporting diuretic effects with traditional medicines. The aim of this article was to review these studies and identify which extracts promote diuresis (which we assessed on terms of urine excreted and urinary sodium excretion) and also to identify the research needs in this area. We identified a number of species and genuses reporting diuretic effects. Of these, the most promising, at the present time, are the species Foeniculum vulgare, Fraxinus excelsior, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Petroselinum sativum and Spergularia purpurea, and species from the genuses Cucumis (Cucumis melo and Cucumis trigonus), Equisetum (Equisetum bogotense, Equisetum fluviatile, Equisetum giganteum, Equisetum hiemale var. affine and Equisetum myriochaetum), Lepidium (Lepidium latifolium and Lepidium sativum), Phyllanthus (Phyllanthus amarus, Phyllanthus corcovadensis and Phyllanthus sellowianus) and Sambucus (Sambucus mexicana and Sambucus nigra). However, there the number of studies is limited and we recommend that further studies be conducted to confirm reported effects. Such evidence is needed to provide scientific credence to the folklore use of traditional medicines and even be helpful in the development of future medicines, treatments and treatment guidelines.     

荆芥内酯在大鼠体内的排泄研究

 目的 研究荆芥内酯在大鼠体内的排泄情况。方法 建立液-液萃取后HPLC测定大鼠尿液、粪便和胆汁中荆芥内酯含量的方法,并对大鼠灌胃/静脉注射荆芥内酯后的排泄情况和排泄特点进行分析。结果 大鼠灌胃荆芥内酯（24 mg·kg^-1）后,胆汁12 h内、尿液36 h内的排泄具有明显的雌雄差异（P0.05）;静脉注射荆芥内酯（12 mg·kg^-1）后,尿液36 h内的排泄具有明显的雌雄差异（P0.05）。结论 荆芥内酯在大鼠尿液和胆汁中的排泄具有明显的雌性差异,以原型形式随尿液、粪便和胆汁排泄的量很少,可能主要以代谢产物的形式排出体外。     

Investigation of the antispasmodic potential of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces

Addition of an aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces (2.5 ml/bath approximately 125 mg of starting crude material) inhibited the tone of various isolated muscle preparations (rabbit aortic strip, rhythmically contracting rat uterus, guinea-pig tracheal chain and rat diaphragm). Other muscles were stimulated (quiescent rat uterus and frog rectus abdominis). Intravenous injection of the extract to anaesthetized cats lowered the blood pressure in a dose-response manner. The inhibitory effects were resistant to a number of standard receptor blockers but the hypotensive influence was partially blocked by atropine and the tonic effects on rat uterus were partially reduced by hydrocortisone and indomethacin.     

电针治疗髋关节骨关节炎的临床观察

目的　观察电针治疗髋关节骨关节炎的疗效。方法　 12 0例髋关节骨关节炎患者随机分成两组 ,每组各 6 0例 ,分别采用电针治疗和口服扶他林缓释片治疗。观察两组患者治疗前后的疼痛、活动度、肿胀程度 ,随访 2年以上。以 JOA髋关节骨关节炎的疗效评定标准进行疗效评定。结果　治疗后电针治疗组患者的平均总分上升了 18分 ,而口服扶他林缓释片组患者上升了 12 .33分 (P<0 .0 5 )。结论　电针治疗髋关节骨关节炎的疗效明显优于口服扶他林缓释片。     

玫瑰花 玫瑰茄 枸杞子复合发酵液化学成分的HPLC-HRMS分析

目的:研究玫瑰花、玫瑰茄及枸杞子3者复合物提取液经肠膜明串株菌肠膜亚种发酵前后化学成分的差异。方法:采用高效液相色谱-线性离子阱-静电场轨道阱质谱(HPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap MS)技术对其复合物提取液及发酵液中化学成分进行筛选及鉴定。结果:根据所获得的精确相对分子质量,同时结合色谱保留行为、质谱裂解规律、特征碎片离子、对照品比对以及相关文献报道,共筛选鉴定了48个化学成分,包括39个有机酸、6个黄酮及3个花青素类成分。结论:玫瑰花、玫瑰茄及枸杞子3者复合物提取液发酵前后化学成分的种类和含量均发生不同程度的变化,其中苷类成分可以转化为更利于人体吸收利用的苷元类成分,可为其他发酵中药的现代研究提供借鉴思路。     

In vitro anti-hepatoma activity of fifteen natural medicines from Canada

Fifteen crude drugs, Stellaria media Cyrill. (Caryophyllaceae), Calendula officinalis L. (Compositae), Achillea millefolium L. (Compositae), Verbascum thapsus L. (Scrophulariaceae), Plantago major L. (Plantaginaceae), Borago officinalis L. (Boraginaceae), Satureja hortensis L. (Labiatae), Coptis groenlandica Salisb. (Ranunculaceae), Cassia angustifolia Vahl. (Leguminosae), Origanum majorana L. (Labiatae), Centella asiatica L. (Umbelliferae), Caulophyllum thalictroides Mich. (Berberidaceae), Picea rubens Sargent. (Pinaceae), Rhamnus purshiana D.C. (Rhamnaceae) and Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (Malvaceae), which have been used as folk medicine in Canada, were evaluated for their anti-hepatoma activity on five human liver-cancer cell lines, i.e. HepG2/C3A, SK-HEP-1, HA22T/VGH, Hep3B and PLC/PRF/5. The samples were examined by in vitro evaluation for their cytotoxicity. The results showed that the effects of crude drugs on hepatitis B virus genome-containing cell lines were different from those against non hepatitis B virus genome-containing cell lines. C. groenlandica was observed to be the most effective against the growth of all five cell lines and its chemotherapeutic values will be of interest for further studies.     

Clinical observations on treatment of hip osteoarthritis by electroacupuncture

120例髋关节骨关节炎患者随机分成两组,每组各60例,分别采用电针治疗和口服扶他林缓释片治疗.观察两组患者治疗前后的疼痛、活动度、肿胀程度,随访2年以上.以JOA髋关节骨关节炎的疗效评定标准进行疗效评定.治疗后电针治疗组患者的平均总分上升了18分,而口服扶他林缓释片组患者上升了12.3分(P<0.05).电针治疗髋关节骨关节炎的疗效明显优于口服扶他林缓释片.     

双氯芬酸钠栓治疗带状疱疹神经痛研究

目的　探讨双氯芬酸钠栓对带状疱疹神经痛的治疗效果。方法　将 70例患者随机分为 2组 ,在常规抗病毒治疗的基础上 ,治疗组予双氯芬酸钠栓直肠给药 ,对照组予肠溶阿司匹林片口服 ,观察带状疱疹神经痛改善情况。结果　治疗组疼痛缓解程度优于对照组 ,两组比较有显著性差异 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论　双氯芬酸钠对带状疱疹神经痛有较好的治疗作用。     

Uricosuric effect of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) in normal and renal-stone former subjects

AIM OF THE STUDY: The Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) was investigated for its uricosuric effect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A human model with nine subjects with no history of renal stones (non-renal stone, NS) and nine with a history of renal stones (RS) was used in this study. A cup of tea made from 1.5 g of dry Roselle calyces was provided to subjects twice daily (morning and evening) for 15 days. A clotted blood and two consecutive 24-h urine samples were collected from each subject three times: (1) at baseline (control); (2) on days 14 and 15 during the tea drinking period; and (3) 15 days after the tea drinking was stopped (washout). Serum and 24-h urinary samples were analyzed for uric acid and other chemical compositions related to urinary stone risk factors. RESULTS: All analyzed serum parameters were within normal ranges and similar; between the two groups of subjects and among the three periods. Vis-à-vis the urinary parameters, most of the baseline values for both groups were similar. After taking the tea, the trend was an increase in oxalate and citrate in both groups and uric acid excretion and clearance in the NS group. In the RS group, both uric acid excretion and clearance were significantly increased (p<0.01). When the fractional excretion of uric acid (FEUa) was calculated, the values were clearly increased in both the NS and SF groups after the intake of tea and returned to baseline values in the washout period. These changes were more clearly observed when the data for each subject was presented individually. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate a uricosuric effect of Roselle calyces. Since the various chemical constituents in Roselle calyces have been identified, the one(s) exerting this uricosuric effect need to be identified.     

淫羊藿苷在大鼠体内的药代动力学

 目的：研究淫羊藿制剂中淫羊藿苷（Ica）在大鼠体内的吸收、分布、排泄、生物利用度及蛋白结合率等药动学特性。方法：淫羊藿苷在生物样品的浓度用高效液相色谱法测定。结果：淫羊藿注射液含Ica10,15和22mg.kg^-1iv给药,其药-时过程符合二室开放模型特征t_1/2β分别为（170±75.1）、（168±41.7）和（209±40.1）min。按含Ica10,15mg.kg^-1iv后,其药-时过程符合线性动力学,按含Ica22mg·kg^-1iv后为非线性动力学。大鼠灌胃及肝门静脉给药后,其药 时过程符合单室开放一级吸收模型特征。体内绝对生物利用度为12.0％,肝门静脉注射的绝对生物利用度为45.17％。按含Ica22mg.kg^-1iv后,结果表明服药2h后药物可广泛分布于各组织中,主要集中在肺、血浆中,心、肝、肾次之,脾和脑较少。尿、胆汁和粪的排泄实验表明：尿、胆汁和粪24h排泄量分别占给药量的1.99％,0.066％和12.83％。Ica的血浆蛋白结合率为80.05％。结论：该研究可为淫羊藿制剂内在质量评价和剂型改革提供一定科学依据。     

Inhibition of intestinal motility by methanol extracts of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (Malvaceae) in rats

The methanol extracts of Hibiscus sabdariffa (p < 0.01) showed a significant dose dependent relaxant effect (IC50) = 350 microM) on rat ileal strip comparable to the effect shown by nifedipin and papaverine as reference compounds. Similarly, the extract when administered intraperitoneally significantly (p < 0.05-0.01) reduced the intestinal transit (13%-35%) in rats (IC50, = 250 microM). The extracts (40% +/- 04%) and nifedipin (51% +/- 05%) also potentiated the diarrhoea inducing effect of castor oil (IC50 = 350 microM). It is postulated that these effects are possibly generated by constituents such as quercetin and eugenol via a Ca2+ channel modulated mode of action.     

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies on interaction of "Trikatu" with diclofenac sodium

"Trikatu"-an Ayurvedic formulation comprising of a 1:1:1 ratio of dried fruits of Piper nigrum, Piper longum and dried rhizomes of Zingiber officinale is widely used to enhance the bioavailability of drugs, like vasicine, indomethacin, etc. The enhanced biological response might lead to alteration of therapeutic regimens of commonly prescribed drugs. The present work was aimed to study the effect of concomitant administration of Trikatu on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of diclofenac sodium, a frequently prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, having a poor oral bioavailability (54 +/- 2%). The effect of Trikatu on the bioavailability profile of diclofenac sodium was studied in rabbits. It was observed that Trikatu significantly decreased the serum levels of diclofenac sodium. The pharmacodynamic study was carried out to evaluate the effect of Trikatu on the anti-inflammatory activity of diclofenac sodium using carragenin-induced rat paw edema model. It was observed that the mean percent edema inhibition shown by the combination of Trikatu and diclofenac was similar to that shown by Trikatu alone but significantly less than that shown by diclofenac alone. Thus, the experimental findings indicated that Trikatu pretreatment might decrease the bioavailability of certain drugs probably through a drug-herb interaction thereby adversely affecting the therapeutic efficacy of these drugs.     

麻黄汤中麻黄生物碱在人尿中的排泄研究

目的:研究人体口服中药复方麻黄汤煎液后,麻黄生物碱在人体内的代谢及排泄情况。方法:健康志愿者口服麻黄汤煎液后,收集不同时间的尿液,采用GC-MS法测定麻黄汤煎液以及人体口服麻黄汤煎液后尿液中的各麻黄生物碱的含量。结果:口服麻黄汤煎液中含去甲基伪麻黄碱(Norpseudoephedrine,NMP)4.38 mg,去甲基麻黄碱(Norephedrine,NME)3.24 mg,麻黄碱(Ephedrine,E)97.45 mg,伪麻黄碱(Pseudoephedrine,PE)26.15 mg,甲基麻黄碱(Methylephedrine,ME)6.16 mg。健康志愿者口服麻黄汤24 h后,尿液中NMP,NME,E,PE和ME的平均排泄量分别为5.20,9.46,68.39,23.73和2.35 mg,其平均累积排泄率分别为118.84%,291.96%,70.18%,90.74%和38.10%。结论:E作为麻黄汤煎液的主要活性成分之一,其在服药后(0~24)h各时间段排泄最快,而ME排泄最慢。口服麻黄汤煎液后,除一小部分的ME以原形排泄外,NMP,NME,E和PE则主要以原形代谢,通过肾脏从尿液中排出。