Effects of aqueous extracts of dried calyx of sour tea (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) on polygenic dyslipidemia: A randomized clinical trial.

Avicenna J Phytomed. 2018 Jan-Feb;8(1):24-32. Hajifaraji M1, Matlabi M2, Ahmadzadeh-Sani F3, Mehrabi Y4, Rezaee MS5, Hajimehdipour H6, Hasanzadeh A7, Roghani K8. Author information 1 National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Faculty of Nutrition & Food Technology Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran. 2 Department of Health Education and Promotion, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran. 3 Food and Drug Deputy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran. 4 Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran. 5 Ebnesina Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran. 6 Department of Traditional Medicine Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran. 7 Department of Humanities, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Iran. 8 Natural Products & medicinal plants Research Center, North Khorsan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran. Abstract OBJECTIVE: Dyslipidemia has been considered as a major risk factor for coronary heart disease. Alternative medicine has a significant role in treatment of dyslipidemia. There are controversial findings regarding the effects of sour tea on dyslipidemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of aqueous extract of dried calyx of sour tea on polygenic dyslipidemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This clinical trial was done on 43 adults (30-60 years old) with polygenic dyslipidemia that were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups. The control group was trained in lifestyle modifications at baseline. The intervention group was trained for lifestyle modifications at baseline and received two cups of sour tea daily, and both groups were followed up for 12 weeks. Lipid profile was evaluated at baseline, and six and 12 weeks following the intervention. In addition, dietary and physical activity assessed at baseline for twelve weeks. RESULTS: Mean concentration of total cholesterol, HDL-C and LDL-C significantly decreased by up to 9.46%, 8.33%, and 9.80%, respectively, after 12 weeks in the intervention group in comparison to their baseline values. However, LDL-C/HDL-C ratio significantly increased by up to 3.15%, following 12 weeks in the control group in comparison to their baseline values. This study showed no difference in lipid profiles between the two groups, except for HDL-C concentrations. CONCLUSION: sour tea may have significant positive effects on lipid profile of polygenic dyslipidemia subjects and these effect might be attributed to its anthocyanins and inflation factor content. Therefore, sour tea intake with recommended dietary patterns and physical activity can be useful in regulation of lipid profile in patients with polygenic dyslipidemia. KEYWORDS: Hibiscus sabdariffa L.; Lipid profile; Polygenic dyslipidemia; Sour tea