Abstract The efficacy and potency of Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) in the treatment of risk factors associated with various cardiac and hypertensive disease is presented in this paper. Anthocyanins found in abundance in Hibiscus sabdariffa sepals are generally considered the phytochemicals responsible for the antihypertensive and hypocholesterolemic effects. Decoctions and infusions of sepals and tender leaves are used in whole world in the treatment of hypertension, hyperlipidemia and various cardiovascular ailments with no reported adverse events or side effects, except for possible adverse hepatic and renal effects at increased doses ie more than 5000mg/kg/day. The daily consumption of extract produced from Hibiscus sepals significantly decreases systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in adults with pre to moderate essential hypertension and type 2 diabetes. The studies revealed that effectiveness of extract is equivalent to Captropril, but less effective than Lisinopril. This comprehensive body of evidence suggests that extracts of Hibiscus sabdariffa sepals are promising in the treatment of hypertension and hyperlipidemia in diabetes -II patients. For the study, 60 volunteers suffering from diabetes with mild hypertension were recruited. But volunteers were devoid of any kind of medication for hypertension, hyperlipidemia or high cholesterol levels. The patients were randomly grouped into two groups HT and BT and asked to drink infusions of Black tea (BT) and HT (Hibiscus tea) twice a day for a month. Their BP was measured uniformly at regular intervals. The mean of Systolic BP decreased from 134.4±11.8 mmHg to 112.7±5.7mm Hg with HT after one month; whereas in case of BT group measure changed from 118.6±14.9 to 127.3±8.7 mm Hg.
Keywords Hibiscus sabdariffa, Hypertension, Diabetes, Black tea, Blood pressure.