Title:Hibiscus Sabdariffa Linnaeus (Malvaceae), Curcumin and Resveratrol as Alternative Medicinal Agents Against Metabolic Syndrome
VOLUME: 11 ISSUE: 1
Author(s):Israel Perez-Torres, Angelica Ruiz-Ramirez, Guadalupe Banos and Mohammed El-Hafidi
Affiliation:Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Seccion XVI, Deleg Tlalpan. C.P. 14080 Mexico, D.F. Mexico.
Keywords:Curcumin, fatty liver, heart failure, hibiscus sabdariffa linnaeus, hypertension, inflammation, metabolic syndrome, obesity, oxidative stress, polyphenols, protocatechuic acid, resveratrol
Abstract:Metabolic syndrome (MS) is an obesity-associated collection of disorders, each of which contributes to
cardiovascular risk. For patients with MS, it is difficult to follow a diet/exercise regime that would improve their
symptoms. Therefore, the investigation of agents that may deal with its more serious aspects is an important medical field
for research. Numerous experimental studies have confirmed the important role of medicinal plants or their active
components in the prevention and treatment, and in lowering risk factors of MS. As oxidative stress and inflammation are
involved in the association between obesity, insulin resistance (IR) and hypertension, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
plant components like polyphenols might be useful as a treatment for MS. The aqueous extract of Hibiscus Sabdariffa L
(HSE), rich in several polyphenols, is commonly and effectively used in native medicines against hypertension, diabetes and
liver disorders. HSE has also shown therapeutic promise in the prevention of MS in patients, probably due to its polyphenol
content. Curcumins, derived from the spice turmeric, and resveratrol, polyphenols found in grapes and red wine
respectively, in addition to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, inhibit preadipocyte proliferation, de novo
lipogenesis and fat accumulation in liver. Thus, due to their efficacy in the regulation of multiple targets, polyphenols
have received considerable interest as potential therapeutic agents for the prevention and treatment of MS. This review
discusses the therapeutic use of HSE, as well as curcumin and resveratrol, in the context of obesity as an initiator of
insulin resistance and hypertension, the two main features of MS, together with the underlying mechanisms of action.
