Evaluating the hypoglycaemic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Hibiscus sabdariffa is beneficial in treating diabetes mellitus. This study investigated the hypoglycaemic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Thirty Wistar rats were divided into six groups of five and acclimatised for two weeks before the experiment commenced. Group I: non-diabetic control; Group II: diabetic control; Group III: non-diabetic with 200 mg/kg of Hibiscus sabdariffa; Group IV: non-diabetes with 300mg/kg of Hibiscus sabdariffa; Group V: diabetic with 200 mg/kg of Hibiscus sabdariffa; Group VI: diabetic with 300 mg/kg of Hibiscus sabdariffa. The rats received a single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (150 mg/kg of body weight), and diabetic rats were treated with Hibiscus sabdariffa for 21 days. Fasting blood glucose levels, insulin levels, superoxide dismutase, catalase, malondialdehyde, interleukin-6, and tumour necrosis factor-alpha were measured, and organ and blood samples were collected. The results were analysed using analysis of variance with p < 0.05 considered significant, and data were visualised using GraphPad. This study demonstrated that Hibiscus sabdariffa exerts significant effects on diabetic parameters, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and antioxidant enzymes. Daily oral treatment for 21 days lowered fasting blood glucose, interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, and malondialdehyde levels. It also enhanced insulin production, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activity in the skeletal muscle, liver, pancreas, and kidney. It can be concluded that Hibiscus sabdariffa has the potential to manage hyperglycaemia and inflammation while improving antioxidant enzyme activity. Furthermore, it may serve as a natural source or agent for the treatment or prevention of diabetes