Effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa (Roselle) supplementation in regulating blood lipids among patients with metabolic syndrome and related disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

2019-12-12
Phytotherapy research : PTR 34(5)
- Boxun Zhang
- Rensong Yue
- Ying Wang
- Lizhen Wang
- Jiawei Chin
- Xiaoying Huang
- Yayi Jiang

PubMed: 31833112
DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6592

Study Design

Type: Meta-Analysis
Sample size: n = 503
Population: 503 participants with metabolic syndrome and related disorders
Methods: Meta-analysis of nine randomized controlled trials; searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, and Clinical Trials; data analyzed using STATA 15.0
Funding: Unclear

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of Hibiscus sabdariffa (Roselle) in regulating blood lipids among patients with metabolic syndrome and related disorders. PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, and Clinical Trials were searched to identify the randomised controlled trials meeting the inclusion criteria. Study selection, data extraction, and risk assessment were performed according to Cochrane handbook; available data were analysed using STATA 15.0 software. Eventually, nine trials involving 503 participants were included in this meta-analysis. The results showed that compared with the control group, H. sabdariffa supplementation could reduce total cholesterol (WMD = -14.66; 95% CI [-18.22, -11.10]; p = .000; I² = 46.9%) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (WMD = -9.46; 95% CI [-14.93, -3.99]; p = .001; I² = 50.1%) but could not effectively reduce triglyceride (WMD = -0.77; 95% CI [-7.87, 6.33]; p = 0.832; I² = 0%). Meanwhile, there were no serious adverse reactions reported in the included studies. To summarise, current evidence suggests that the benefits of H. sabdariffa supplementation to patients with metabolic diseases are associated with its cholesterol-lowering effects; however, more high-quality clinical trials are needed to confirm these results.

Research Insights

Hibiscus→Reduced Blood Cholesterol
H. sabdariffa supplementation could reduce total cholesterol (WMD = -14.66; 95% CI [-18.22, -11.10]; p = .000; I² = 46.9%)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Hibiscus→Reduced Low-Density Lipoprotein Level
low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (WMD = -9.46; 95% CI [-14.93, -3.99]; p = .001; I² = 50.1%)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Hibiscus→Reduced Triglyceride Levels
could not effectively reduce triglyceride (WMD = -0.77; 95% CI [-7.87, 6.33]; p = 0.832; I² = 0%)
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small

Adverse Events Reported

Hibiscus→Overall tolerability
Meanwhile, there were no serious adverse reactions reported in the included studies.
Finding
Reported