Evaluation of the Effect of Hibiscus Tea (Hibiscus Sabdariffa) on the Female and Males Reproductive Hormones of Adult Albino Rats

Hibiscus sabdariffa. (Malvaceae), whose calyx is used worldwide as a cold or hot beverage, H. sabdariffa is used in many folk medicines. It is prized for its moderate laxative properties, capacity to increase urine, relief in hot weather, and treatment of foot cracks, bilious sores, and wounds. The purpose of this study is to investigate and assess the effects of Hibiscus tea on the female and male reproductive hormones (testosterone, progesterone, FSH, and LH) in obese adult female wistar rats. Fifty rats of comparable sizes and weights ranging from 170g to 200g were procured for this study. The experimental animals were separated into five groups (A – E), with group A as control group and group B-E as test group. After sacrificing the rats in each group, Blood sample were collected from the femoral vein. Determination of Progesterone, Testosterone, luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone levels involves the combination of an enzyme immunoassay sandwich method with a final fluorescent detection (ELFA). For the females groups, the mean ± S.D of Progesterone for Group A,B,C,D and E were 2.3±1.3, 7.5±3.4, 4.6±2.0, 2.2±0.6 and 2.4±0.6 respectively. The mean ± S.D of Luteinizing hormone for Group A,B,C,D and E was 1.5±0.1, 2.5±0.6, 1.8±0.3, 2.1±0.8 and 1.7±0.1 respectively. The mean ± S.D of Follicle stimulating hormone for Group A,B,C,D and E was 1.5±0.1, 2.5±0.6, 1.8±0.3, 2.1±0.8 and 2.1±0.8 respectively. The comparison between various groups shows that there is a statistical significance (p≤0.05) variations in Progesterone, Luteinizing hormone and Follicle stimulating hormone levels. For the males groups, the mean ± S.D of Testosterone for Group A,B,C,D and E were 0.87±0.33, 1.07±0.36, 0.77±0.26, 0.88±0.08 and 0.73±0.08 respectively. The mean ± S.D of Luteinizing hormone for Group A,B,C,D and E was 1.15±0.02, 1.51±0.84, 1.25±0.36, 1.10±0.08 and 1.15±0.08 respectively. The mean ± S.D of Follicle stimulating hormone for Group A,B,C,D and E was 1.69±0.15, 9.43±12.92, 1.89±0.10, 1.58±0.22 and 1.15±0.08 respectively. the comparison between various groups of Testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone shows that there is no statistical significance (P≤0.05) in group A, B, C, D and E respectively. In conclusion, the current scientific evidence regarding has proven that hibiscus tea administration or intake can lead to alteration on progesterone, LH, and FSH levels and as such could pose a threat to the overall health. The administration of extract of H. sabdariffa as observed in this study showed no significant alterations in FSH, LH and testosterone levels. Despite these findings it is imperative that patients don’t throw caution to the wind when consuming such extract.