Efficacy of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. extract on metabolic parameters in participants with abdominal obesity and mild metabolic syndrome in Bangkok, Thailand: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Background: Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (HS) has been investigated as an alternative treatment for metabolic syndrome (MetS), as it affects all MetS components with low side effects simultaneously; however, clinical evidence regarding its efficacy compared with placebo is inconsistent. This study assesse...

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Main Authors: Kanchaporn Chaisungnern, Thanapoom Rattananupong, Rossukon Klinhom, Srisuphak Nanta, Kamonwan Banchuen, Arunporn Itharat, Pranporn Kuropakornpong, Thanan Supasiri, Preecha Nootim, Wiroj Jiamjarasrangsi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-08-01
Series:Complementary Therapies in Medicine
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965229925000603
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author Kanchaporn Chaisungnern
Thanapoom Rattananupong
Rossukon Klinhom
Srisuphak Nanta
Kamonwan Banchuen
Arunporn Itharat
Pranporn Kuropakornpong
Thanan Supasiri
Preecha Nootim
Wiroj Jiamjarasrangsi
author_facet Kanchaporn Chaisungnern
Thanapoom Rattananupong
Rossukon Klinhom
Srisuphak Nanta
Kamonwan Banchuen
Arunporn Itharat
Pranporn Kuropakornpong
Thanan Supasiri
Preecha Nootim
Wiroj Jiamjarasrangsi
author_sort Kanchaporn Chaisungnern
collection DOAJ
description Background: Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (HS) has been investigated as an alternative treatment for metabolic syndrome (MetS), as it affects all MetS components with low side effects simultaneously; however, clinical evidence regarding its efficacy compared with placebo is inconsistent. This study assessed how the aqueous calyx extract of HS influences insulin resistance and MetS parameters and examined the safety effects on liver, kidney, and hematological indexes in participants with abdominal obesity and mild MetS symptoms. Methods: In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 108 participants with MetS were randomly assigned to take 1000-mg HS (45.04 mg/day in total polyphenols) or placebo daily for 12 weeks. Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), glycemic markers, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), lipid profiles, and blood pressure were assessed at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. Additionally, liver and kidney function indicators along with hematological parameters were evaluated. Results: Compared with placebo, HS did not significantly affect HOMA-IR, glycemic markers, BMI, WC, lipid profile, or blood pressure. Although HS did not significantly alter the lipid profile overall, serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels decreased significantly at 12 weeks compared with baseline (− 7.98 mg/dL, [95 % CI, − 14.80, − 1.15]). Additionally, HS did not cause significant liver or kidney function or hematological changes compared with placebo. Conclusion: Taking 1000-mg HS daily for 12 weeks seems to be safe. Placebo and HS groups showed good clinical results, and the extract was not associated with improved metabolic parameters in individuals with abdominal obesity and mild MetS symptoms, with the exception of lower serum LDL.
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spelling doaj-art-e60156b899834d5ca9a9b3c31bd33c762025-08-20T02:17:14ZengElsevierComplementary Therapies in Medicine0965-22992025-08-019110318510.1016/j.ctim.2025.103185Efficacy of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. extract on metabolic parameters in participants with abdominal obesity and mild metabolic syndrome in Bangkok, Thailand: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trialKanchaporn Chaisungnern0Thanapoom Rattananupong1Rossukon Klinhom2Srisuphak Nanta3Kamonwan Banchuen4Arunporn Itharat5Pranporn Kuropakornpong6Thanan Supasiri7Preecha Nootim8Wiroj Jiamjarasrangsi9Health Research and Management Program, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, ThailandHealth Research and Management Program, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, ThailandInstitute of Thai Traditional Medicine, Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, Ministry of Public Health, ThailandInstitute of Thai Traditional Medicine, Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, Ministry of Public Health, ThailandInstitute of Thai Traditional Medicine, Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, Ministry of Public Health, ThailandCenter of Excellence in Applied Thai Traditional Medicine Research, Thammasat University, ThailandCenter of Excellence in Applied Thai Traditional Medicine Research, Thammasat University, ThailandHealth Research and Management Program, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; Center of Excellence in Preventive and Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, ThailandInstitute of Thai Traditional Medicine, Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, Ministry of Public Health, ThailandHealth Research and Management Program, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; Corresponding author.Background: Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (HS) has been investigated as an alternative treatment for metabolic syndrome (MetS), as it affects all MetS components with low side effects simultaneously; however, clinical evidence regarding its efficacy compared with placebo is inconsistent. This study assessed how the aqueous calyx extract of HS influences insulin resistance and MetS parameters and examined the safety effects on liver, kidney, and hematological indexes in participants with abdominal obesity and mild MetS symptoms. Methods: In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 108 participants with MetS were randomly assigned to take 1000-mg HS (45.04 mg/day in total polyphenols) or placebo daily for 12 weeks. Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), glycemic markers, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), lipid profiles, and blood pressure were assessed at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. Additionally, liver and kidney function indicators along with hematological parameters were evaluated. Results: Compared with placebo, HS did not significantly affect HOMA-IR, glycemic markers, BMI, WC, lipid profile, or blood pressure. Although HS did not significantly alter the lipid profile overall, serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels decreased significantly at 12 weeks compared with baseline (− 7.98 mg/dL, [95 % CI, − 14.80, − 1.15]). Additionally, HS did not cause significant liver or kidney function or hematological changes compared with placebo. Conclusion: Taking 1000-mg HS daily for 12 weeks seems to be safe. Placebo and HS groups showed good clinical results, and the extract was not associated with improved metabolic parameters in individuals with abdominal obesity and mild MetS symptoms, with the exception of lower serum LDL.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965229925000603EfficacySafetyHibiscus sabdariffa L.Metabolic syndromeInsulin resistanceBody mass index
spellingShingle Kanchaporn Chaisungnern
Thanapoom Rattananupong
Rossukon Klinhom
Srisuphak Nanta
Kamonwan Banchuen
Arunporn Itharat
Pranporn Kuropakornpong
Thanan Supasiri
Preecha Nootim
Wiroj Jiamjarasrangsi
Efficacy of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. extract on metabolic parameters in participants with abdominal obesity and mild metabolic syndrome in Bangkok, Thailand: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial
Complementary Therapies in Medicine
Efficacy
Safety
Hibiscus sabdariffa L.
Metabolic syndrome
Insulin resistance
Body mass index
title Efficacy of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. extract on metabolic parameters in participants with abdominal obesity and mild metabolic syndrome in Bangkok, Thailand: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial
title_full Efficacy of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. extract on metabolic parameters in participants with abdominal obesity and mild metabolic syndrome in Bangkok, Thailand: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial
title_fullStr Efficacy of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. extract on metabolic parameters in participants with abdominal obesity and mild metabolic syndrome in Bangkok, Thailand: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial
title_full_unstemmed Efficacy of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. extract on metabolic parameters in participants with abdominal obesity and mild metabolic syndrome in Bangkok, Thailand: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial
title_short Efficacy of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. extract on metabolic parameters in participants with abdominal obesity and mild metabolic syndrome in Bangkok, Thailand: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial
title_sort efficacy of hibiscus sabdariffa l extract on metabolic parameters in participants with abdominal obesity and mild metabolic syndrome in bangkok thailand a double blind randomized placebo controlled trial
topic Efficacy
Safety
Hibiscus sabdariffa L.
Metabolic syndrome
Insulin resistance
Body mass index
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965229925000603
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