Food and Medicinal Values of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L. Linne Malvaceae) Plant Parts: A Review Review Article

Abstract

Roselle/Mesta plant (Hibiscus sabdariffa L. Linne Malvaceae) was selected for its being large concentration point in relation to research advances on food and medicinal values. Data were collected from different print media like different annual reports and national and international journals during the year 2018 at Agronomy Division, Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI), Dhaka. So many Roselle crop varieties developed, released and used at farm level for commercial cultivation. All those varieties leaves and calyces have both vegetable and medicinal values. These are used fresh for making wine, juice, jam, jelly, syrup, gelatin, pudding, cakes, ice cream and flavors and also dried and brewed into tea, spice, and used for butter, pies, sauces, tarts, and other desserts. The roasted seeds can be used as a coffee substitute. The young root is edible, but very fibrous. The leaves are antiscorbutic, emollient, diuretic, refrigerant, and sedative. The fruits are antiscorbutic. The flowers contain gossypetin, anthocyanin, and the glycoside hibiscin. The ripe calyces are diuretic and antiscorbutic. The plant is also reported to be antiseptic, aphrodisiac, astringent, cholagogue, demulcent, digestive, purgative and resolvent. Medicinal plants as natural antimicrobial agents are gaining popularity. Roselle plant has been used in folk medicine as a diuretic, mild laxative, and treatment for cardiac and nerve diseases. In future, controlled studies are required to prove the effectiveness of different parts of Roselle under the various conditions.

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Open Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences
2019 | Volume 1 | Article 1003
014
© 2019 - Medtext Publications. All Rights Reserved.
Food and Medicinal Values of Roselle (Hibiscus
sabdariffa L. Linne Malvaceae) Plant Parts: A
Review
Review Article
Md. Mahbubul Islam*
Division of Agronomy, Bangladesh Jute Research Institute, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Citation: Islam MM. Food and Medicinal Values of Roselle (Hibiscus
sabdariffa L. Linne Malvaceae) Plant Parts: A Review. Open J Nutr
Food Sci. 2019; 1(1): 1003.
Copyright: © 2019 Md. Mahbubul Islam
Publisher Name: Medtext Publications LLC
Manuscript compiled: May 20th, 2019
*Corresponding author: Md. Mahbudul Islam, Division of Agronomy,
Bangladesh Jute Research Institute, Dhaka, 1207, Bangladesh,
E-mail: mahbub_agronomy@yahoo.com
Abstract
Roselle/Mesta plant (Hibiscus sabdaria L. Linne Malvaceae) was selected for its being large concentration point in relation to research advances on food and
medicinal values. Data were collected from dierent print media like dierent annual reports and national and international journals during the year 2018 at
Agronomy Division, Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI), Dhaka. So many Roselle crop varieties developed, released and used at farm level for commercial
cultivation. All those varieties leaves and calyces have both vegetable and medicinal values. ese are used fresh for making wine, juice, jam, jelly, syrup, gelatin,
pudding, cakes, ice cream and avors and also dried and brewed into tea, spice, and used for butter, pies, sauces, tarts, and other desserts. e roasted seeds can
be used as a coee substitute. e young root is edible, but very brous. e leaves are antiscorbutic, emollient, diuretic, refrigerant, and sedative. e fruits are
antiscorbutic. e owers contain gossypetin, anthocyanin, and the glycoside hibiscin. e ripe calyces are diuretic and antiscorbutic. e plant is also reported
to be antiseptic, aphrodisiac, astringent, cholagogue, demulcent, digestive, purgative and resolvent. Medicinal plants as natural antimicrobial agents are gaining
popularity. Roselle plant has been used in folk medicine as a diuretic, mild laxative, and treatment for cardiac and nerve diseases. In future, controlled studies are
required to prove the eectiveness of dierent parts of Roselle under the various conditions.
Keywords: Roselle/Mesta; Leaf; Flower; Calices; Seed; Root; Food (Jam, Jelly, Syrup, Tea); Medicine (Antioxidant, Antihypertensive, Antimicrobial,
Anticancer properties)
Introduction
Roselle is the most common name used specically for Hibiscus
sabdaria var. Altissimo Hort, both for plant and ber, although the
edible Hibiscus sabdaria L. is called Roselle. Other common names
for the plant and ber include: Kenaf in most countries; Mesta, Roselle,
hemp, and pusa or pusa hemp in India; Kasi gogu in Andhra Pradesh,
India; Roselle in Indonesia; Siam jute and paw keo in ailand; voam
bombazaha in Madagascar; azedinha, Curura-de-guine, and quiabo-
roseo in Brazil; and Oiselle-de-Guinee in West Africa. Roselle is a
short day, annual herbaceous, bast ber-bearing plant belonging
to the Malvaceae family. e subspecies is the most economically
important member of the genus Hibiscus in terms of ber production.
It is closely related to Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) and okra
(Hibiscus esculentus L.), young seed pods of the latter being widely
used for food in many temperate, subtropical and tropical continuous.
e plant reaches to about two meters in height, has beautiful bright
white to pale yellow owers and a stout eshy and bright red as the
fruit matures. Roselle is famous for producing edible calyx that can be
used in beverages. e calyx is the red colored pointed pods found on
the hibiscus that protect and support the hibiscus plant. It tastes sweet
and should be picked 10 to 15 days aer they lose its blooms, or else it
will taste more tart [1,2].
Roselle plant, with an attractive ower believed to be native to
Africa, is cultivated in Sudan, India, Malaysia and Taiwan. It is an
annual or perennial herb or woody-based sub-shrub, growing to 2
m to 2.5 m tall. e leaves are deeply 3 to 5 lobed, 8 cm to 15 cm
long, arranged alternately on the stems. e owers are 8 cm to 10
cm in diameter, white to pale yellow with a dark red spot at the base
of each petal, and have a stout eshy calyx at the base, 1 cm to 2 cm
wide, enlarging to 3 cm to 3.5 cm, eshy and bright red as the fruit
matures. It takes about six months to mature. In some places, the plant
is primarily cultivated for the production of bast ber from the stem
of the plant. e ber may be used as a substitute for jute in making
burlap. e red calyces of the plant are used as food colorings and dyes
[3]. Today, Roselle is attracting the attention of food and beverage
manufacturers and pharmaceutical concerns who feel it may have
exploitable possibilities as a natural food product for herbal medicine
and as a colorant to replace some synthetic dyes.
e most scientically studied claim is the use of Roselle tea
to positively aect blood pressures and cholesterol and prevent
cardiovascular disease. Some of the other less-researched health
benets of Roselle tea include assisting in digestion, strengthening
immunity, working as an anti-inammatory agent, and reducing
the risk of cancer. Roselle tea is also rich in vitamin-C, minerals
and various antioxidants, while also helping in the treatment of
hypertension and anxiety. Roselle tea can be made by steeping parts
of the hibiscus plant in boiling water, particularly the calyx. It has
distinct maroon color along with sweet and tart avor similar to that
of cranberries. It can be enjoyed both hot and cold depending on your
preferences like most other teas [4].

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Open Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences
2019 | Volume 1 | Article 1003
Kenaf/Mesta Cultivation: Area under Mesta & Kenaf in
Bangladesh: 34,000 ha (Kenaf - 19,611 ha & Mesta - 14,489 ha)
(Figure 1).
Origin of Hibiscus sabdariffa
ere is a big argument about the origin of Roselle among dierent
scholars. Cobley [1], suggested Roselle is a native plant of West Africa
and from there it was carried to other parts of the world such as Asia
and America, whereas in others opinion, Roselle was originated from
India [5].
Description of Hibiscus sabdariffa
Hibiscus has more than three hundred species distributed in
tropical and subtropical regions around the world and are used as
ornamental plants. Research on have shown that some species of
Hibiscus possess certain medicinal properties of which Hibiscus
sabdaria is one [6]. H. sabdaria is commonly named as “red sorrel”
or “Roselle”. Even though permeable soil is the best, Roselle can adapt
to a variety of soil in a warmer and more humid climate [7,8].
H. sabdaria, a member of Malvaceae family, is a known medicinal
plant with a worldwide fame [9] and the plant can be found in almost
all warm countries such as India, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Indonesia,
ailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Sudan, Egypt and Mexico [3,7,10].
Roselle is mainly cultivated to be consumed and the main producers
of Roselle blossoms are Egypt, Sudan, Mexico, ailand and China.
Other hibiscus varieties are planted for their bers they produce [11].
With the above information a review was undertaken to assess the
nutritional and medicinal importance of Roselle crop.
Materials and Methods
e study was based on secondary information. e secondary
data used were collected from dierent studies of the Library of
Bangladesh Jute Research Institute, Dhaka during from January to
November 2018. ese secondary data were BJRI annual reports,
dierent thesis, Books, Bangladesh Journal of Jute and Fiber Research,
Jute and Jute Fabrics, Bangladesh (News letter) of BJRI and other
national and international journals.
Results and Discussion
Taxonomy
A morphological description of the Roselle/Mesta is as follows:
Stems are erect, solid, cylindrical, unbranched, mostly bristled, rarely
glabrous, green, red, or regimented in various shades, reaching a
height of 1 m to 5 m.
Leaves are simple on young plants, later becoming lobed alternate,
stipulate, stipules free lateral, 0.5 cm to 1.0 cm long, green or red.
Petiole 4 cm to 14 cm long, green to red, pubescent on the abaxial
surface and densely bristled or sparsely hairy on the abaxial surface,
green to deep and red, scabrous or smooth. Lamina are mostly 3 to 5,
deeply palmately lobed, each lose ovate to oblong lanceolate, margin
serrulose, apex-acute, pubescent and bristled along the veins on both
the surface, scabrous or scaberulous, green to red, one green gland
present in the mid vein on the undersurface. Flowers solitary, axillary,
pedunculate, peduncle 0.2 cm to 0.4 cm long, bristled, pentamerous,
completely yellow or yellow with red center, when open 3.0 cm to 5.0
cm in diameter, bracteoles (epicalyx) 8 to 10, short ovate, bristled, 0.5
cm to 0.7 cm long, green or red, persistent, attached to the base of the
calyx [4].
Calyx, sepals 5, lanceolate, connate bellow the middle in to a cup,
1.5 cm to 2.0 cm lobes 1.5, 1.5 to 2.0 times the lengthy of the cup,
bristled slightly tomentose, gland not prominent, persistent.
Corolla large, preading, bell-shaped, full-yellow or yellow with
deep red center, petals 5, free, twisted, outside pubescent and with
glandular hairs in the inner portion, 3 cm to 5 cm long.
Stamens many, monadelphous, staminal column epipetros,
truncate, 1.0 cm long, with glandular hairs, yellow or red, laments
0.1 cm to 0. 2 cm long, yellow to red, anthers reinform, pollen spiny.
Corpels 5, ovary ovoid 0.3 cm to 0.4 cm long, broadly globular ovoid,
weith dense silky hairs, 5 chambered with many ovules in each
chamber arranged in 2 to 3 rows, stigma 5, hairy, capitate, red or
yellow exerted.
Capsule ovoid, pointed densely villose with about 30 to 40 seeds.
Seeds reinform, smaller than those of Kenaf reddish brown with many
small yellowish brown warty spots. Hilum reddish brown, relatively
long seed average, 60000 per kg (Figure 2) [4].
Propagation of Roselle
Seed sow early spring in a warm greenhouse. Germination is
usually fairly rapid. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when
they are large enough to handle. If growing them as annuals, plant
them out into their permanent positions in early summer and protect
them with a frame or cloche until they are growing away well. If
hoping to grow them as perennials, then it is better to grow them on
in the greenhouse for their rst year and to plant them out in early
summer of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August
in a frame. Overwinter them in a warm greenhouse and plant out aer
the last expected frosts (Figure 3).
Identifying characters of different Mesta varieties
developed by BJRI
Mesta variety (Hibiscus sabdaria L.):
Variety HS-24 (Tani mesta): Variety HS-24 was released
Figure 1: Area under Mesta & Kenaf in Bangladesh (Source: Islam [3]).
Figure 2: Taxonomy (Islam M.M. [3]).

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Open Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences
2019 | Volume 1 | Article 1003
in 1977 developed by pure line selection. Its stem green with nods
purple, pigmented leaves ne lobed, petiole is smaller than lamina.
Leaves 5 lobed with lanceolate segments which are serrated, central
lobe longest, leaf lobed dark green with veins and margins purple,
rough, sepals light green with purple spots at maturity, petals yellow
with crimson red at the inner basal portion, fruits capsule ovoil
hairy, dehiscent seeds dull brown reniform. High land (Less fertile)
is suitable for cultivation. Seed sowing time mid February to mid
May. Seed rate 12 to 18 kg/ha. Plant height 4.00 m to 6.00 m. Fiber
recovery 6.23%. Time of owering 190 to 210 days aer sowing. Time
of harvest 120 to 130 days aer harvest or as per need. Yield 2.00 to
2.70 t/ha at Research station. is variety is suitable for high, less
fertile and drought aected land. Aer harvest T. aman can be grown.
Resistant to root-knot nematodes (Figure 4) [4].
BJRI Mesta-2 (VM-1): BJRI Mesta-2 (VM-1) was released
in 2010 developed by pure line selection. Its stem red with nods
purple, pigmented leaves ne lobed, Long petiole similar as lamina.
Leaves 3 lobed with lanceolate segments which are serrated, central
lobe longest, leaf lobed dark green with veins and margins purple,
rough, sepals light green with purple spots at maturity, petals yellow
with crimson red at the inner basal portion, fruits red and cone
type. Plants are bushy in type. High land (Less fertile) is suitable for
cultivation. Seed sowing time 15th April to 30th June. Seed rate 12 to
18 kg/ha. Plant height 1.00 m to 1.50 m. Time of owering 180 to 200
days aer sowing. Time of harvest from 60 days to onward for fruit
or as per need. Red colored fruit yield 2.00 to 2.50 t/ha and leaf 6.0 to
7.0 t/ha at Research station. is variety is suitable for high, less fertile
and drought aected land. Could produced 20% edible oil from seeds,
Resistant to draught and root-knot nematodes (Figure 5) [4].
BJRI Mesta-3 (SAMU’93): BJRI Mesta-3 (SAMU’93) was
released in 2017 developed by pure line selection. Its stem green with
nods purple, leaves green and ne lobed, long petiole than lamina.
Leaves 5 lobed with lanceolate segments which are serrated, central
lobe longest, leaf lobed dark green with veins, ne, sepals light green
with purple spots at maturity, petals yellow with crimson red at the
inner basal portion, fruits capsule ovoil hairy, dehiscent seeds dull
brown reniform. High land (Less fertile) is suitable for cultivation.
Seed sowing time 15th March to 15th May. Seed rate 12 to 18 kg/ha.
Plant height 4.00 m to 5.00 m. Time of owering 180 to 210 days
aer sowing. Time of owering 190 to 210 days aer sowing. Time of
harvest 120 to 130 days aer harvest or as per need. Yield 2.50 to 2.80
t/ha at Research station. is variety is suitable for high, less fertile
and drought aected land. Quick growing and resistant to root-knot
nematodes (Figure 6) [4].
Figure 3: Mesta plant with leaf, ower and fruits.
Figure 4: Variety HS-24 (Tani mesta).
Figure 5: BJRI Mesta-2 (VM-1).
Figure 6: BJRI Mesta-3 (SAMU-93).
Figure 7: A Roselle drink.

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Open Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences
2019 | Volume 1 | Article 1003
Different uses of Mesta/Roselle
Nutritional uses of Roselle: e fresh calyx (the outer whorl of
the ower) is eaten raw in salads, is cooked and used as a avoring
in cakes etc and is also used in making jellies, soups, sauces, pickles,
puddings etc. e calyx is rich in citric acid and pectin and so is
useful for making jams, jellies etc. It is also used to add a red color
and to avor to herb teas, and can be roasted and used as a coee
substitute. A refreshing and very popular beverage can be made by
boiling the calyx, sweetening it with sugar and adding ginger. Tender
young leaves and stems - raw or cooked. Used in salads, as a potherb
and as a seasoning in curries, they have an acid, rhubarb-like avor.
Seed - the dried and make into a powder then can use in oily soups
and sauces. e oven dried seeds have been used as a coee substitute
as aphrodisiac properties. Root- also edible however very brous.
Mucilaginous, without avor. e seed has 20% oil content [12].
Nutritional value: Many parts of Roselle including seeds, leaves,
fruits and roots are used in various foods. Among them, the eshy
red calyces are the most popular. ey are used fresh for making
wine, juice, jam, jelly, syrup. gelatin, pudding, cakes, ice cream and
avors and also dried and brewed into tea, spice, and used for butter,
pies, sauces, tarts, and other desserts. e calyces possess pectin that
makes a rm jelly. e young leaves and tender stems of Roselle are
eaten raw in salads or cooked as greens alone or in combination with
other vegetables and/or with meat. ey are also added to curries as
seasoning. ey have an acid, rhubarb-like avor. e seeds, are high
in protein, can be roasted and ground into a powder then used in
soups and sauces. e roasted seeds can be used as a coee substitute.
e young root is edible, but very brous (Table 1) [12].
e nutritional analysis of Roselle plant by proximate method
found the carbohydrate content (68.7%) was highest followed by crude
ber (14.6%) and ash content (12.2%) and others [13]. e plant is also
found to be rich in minerals especially potassium and magnesium.
Vitamins (ascorbic acid, niacin and pyridoxine) were also present
in appreciable amounts. Various workers reported variable content
suggesting that the type of soil inuences its ash and mineral content
causing variations within the same species [14-18]. It has long been
used in herbal tea to treat hypertension, pyrexia and liver damage
although the pharmaceutical components are poorly dened [19].
Choi and Mason [20], reported that nutritional studies have indicated
that low consumption of fruits and vegetables is consistently related to
an increased incidence of cancer reecting dietary habits (Figure 7).
Medicinal use of Roselle: Roselle is an aromatic, astringent,
cooling herb that is much used in the Tropics. It is said to have
diuretic eects, to help lower fevers and is antiscorbutic. e leaves
showed antiscorbutic, diuretic, emollient, sedative and refrigerant.
e leaves tastes very mucilaginous and used as emollient and use
to cough remedy. e fruits showed antiscorbutic eect. e owers
contain gossypetin, glycoside hibiscin and anthocyanin. ese might
have choleretic and diuretic eects, decreasing blood viscosity,
stimulating intestinal peristalsis and reducing blood pressure. e
Roselle leaves and owers are used as a tonic for internal digestive
and kidney functions. e seeds are also diuretic, laxative and tonic.
ose are used in treatment of debility. e plant is also reported to be
antiseptic, astringent, aphrodisiac, cholagogue, digestive, demulcent,
purgative and resolvent. Roselle plant is used as folk remedy in
treatment of abscesses, bilious conditions, cancer, cough, debility,
dyspepsia, dysuria, fever, heart ailments, scurvy, hypertension,
hangover, neurosis, and strangury [14]. e fruits and vegetables
components viz. polyphenol and anthocyanin might be responsible
for the reduced risk of cancer [21-26]. Plants have the capacity of
producing secondary metabolites viz. proteins, steroids, alkaloids, etc
that enhanced its nutritive value [27].
Biochemical values are responsible for the medicinal properties
of Roselle: Roselle calyx, which are of three types: dark red, red
and green. e red calyxes are the most used are characterized by
their concentration anthocyanin. Delphinidin 3-Sambubioside and
Cyanidin 3-Sambubioside are the major anthocyanin. Roselle is also
rich in minerals, amino acids, organic acids, carotene, vitamin C and
total sugar in its calyx, seeds and leaves at dierent levels depending
on the variety and geographical area. Roselle has avonoids,
anthocyanidins, triterpernoids, steroids and alkaloids. Nutrient
contents of dierent part of H. sabdaria per 100 g are as follows in
Table 2.
Dierent medicinal properties:
Antimicrobial properties: Roselle is widely used for the treatment
of diseases. Olaleye [28] used the aqueousmethanolic extract of Roselle
and reported that the extract contained cardiac glycosides, avonoids,
saponins and alkaloids. It exhibited antibacterial activities against
Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus stearothermophilus, Micrococcus
luteus, Serratia mascences, Clostridium sporogenes, Escherichia coli,
Klebsiella, pneumoniae, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas uorescence. e
results agreed the use of Roselle plant in the treatment of abscesses,
bilious conditions, cancer and coughs in traditional medicine, and
also suggested for possibility of isolating antibacterial and anticancer
agents while the antimicrobial activity on Escherichia coli O157:H7.
Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes isolates from food,
veterinary, and clinical samples by Fullerton [29] indicated that
Roselle extract was eective and suggested for application of extracts
as potential antimicrobials in foods. e antibacterial eects of
Roselle/Mesta (raw)
Nutritional value per 100g (3.5oz)
Energy 205kJ (49kcal)
Carbohydrates 11.31 g
Fat 0.64 g
Protein 0.96 g
Vitamins
Vitamin A equiv. 14 μg (2%)
iamine (B1) 0.011 mg (1%)
Riboavin (B2) 0.028 mg (2%)
Niacin (B3) 0.31 mg (2%)
Vitamin C 12 mg (14%)
Trace metals
Calcium 215 mg (22%)
Iron 1.48 mg (11%)
Magnesium 51 mg (14%)
Phosphorus 37 mg (5%)
Potassium 208 mg (4%)
Sodium 6 mg (0%)
Units: μg: Micrograms; mg: Milligrams; IU: International
Table 1: Nutritional value per 100g of Roselle.
Nutrients Calyxes Seeds Leaves
Protein (g) 2 28.9 3.5
Carbohydrates (g) 10.2 25.5 8.7
Fat (g) 0.1 21.4 0.3
Vitamin A (I.E.) - - 1000
iamine (mg) 0.05 0.1 0.2
Riboavin (mg) 0.07 0.15 0.4
Niacin (mg) 0.06 1.5 1.4
Vitamin C (mg) 17 9 2.3
Calcium (mg) 150 350 240
Iron (mg) 3 9 5
Table 2: Biochemical values of dierent parts of Roselle plant [10].

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Open Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences
2019 | Volume 1 | Article 1003
Roselle calyx aqueous and ethanol extracts and protocatechuic acid
against food spoilage bacteria Salmonella Typhimurium DT104,
E. coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and
Bacillus cereus were estimated by Chau et al. [30], and shown that the
inhibitory activity in dose-dependent behavior against test bacteria
in ground beef and apple juice and suggested that it might be potent
agents as food additives for preventing contamination from those
bacteria.
Antioxidant properties: Roselle-Hibiscus anthocyanins (HAs)
which are a group of natural pigments existing in the dried calyx
exhibited antioxidant activity and liver protection manner. HA
antioxidant bioactivity in rat primary hepatocytes and hepatotoxicity
was studied by [31]. e results revealed that HA's, at the concentrations
of 0.10 mg/ml and 0.20 mg/ml, signicantly decreased the leakage of
lactate dehydrogenase and the formation of malondialdehyde and
the serum levels of hepatic enzyme markers (alanine and aspartate
aminotransferase) signicantly decreased and reduced oxidative liver
damage. An antioxidative activity was also reported in cancerous
cell lines [32]. McKay et al. [33], reported in his animal models that
extracts of Roselle’s calyces have demonstrated hypocholesterolemic
and antihypertensive properties. e antioxidant potential of three
fractions of the ethanol crude extract (HS-C: chloroform soluble
fraction; HS-E: ethyl acetate soluble fraction; HS-R: residual fraction)
found from the dried owers were evaluated for their capacity to
quench free radicals and inhibiting xanthine oxidase (XO) activity
[34]. HS-E showed the greatest capacity of scavenging free radical,
and HS-C showed the strongest inhibitory eect on XO activity.
Furthermore, antioxidant bioactivities of these crude extracts were
investigated on rat primary hepatocytes. All fractions were found to
inhibit signicantly the Unscheduled DNA Synthesis (UDS). ese
results revealed that the dried ower extracts (HS-C and HS-E) protect
rat hepatocytes from t-BHP-induced cytotoxicity and genotoxicity.
e study on hepatoprotective and antioxidant eects on the Carbon
Tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatocyte damage in sh provided
evidence of potential use as a medicine for curing liver diseases in
aquaculture as Roselle extract signicantly elevated levels of Lactate
Dehydrogenase (LDH), Glutamate Oxalate Transaminase (GOT),
Glutamate Pyruvate transaminase (GPT), and Malondialdehyde
(MDA) and signicantly reduced levels of Superoxide Dismutase
(SOD) and Glutathione Peroxidase (GSH-Px) [35].
Anticancerous properties: Akim et al. [32], evaluated the
antiproliferative activities of Roselle juice by using dierent cell lines
like ovarian (Caov-3), breast (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231) and cervical
(HeLa) cancer cell lines and found that it exhibited the strongest
anti-proliferative potentiality towards the MCF-7 cancer cells. Using
Roselle-anthocyanins (HA), the eects on human cancer cells (HL-60)
studied and showed apoptosis of cells in a dose and time-dependent
manner [36]. Hou et al. [19], reported the apoptosis of leukemia
cells induced by anthocyanin was through reactive oxygen species
mediated mitochondrial pathways. Protocatechuic Acid (PCA),
a phenolic compound isolated from the dried ower, was found to
inhibit the survival of human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) in
a concentration and time dependent manner [34], and apoptosis
was induced via reduction of retinoblastoma phosphorylation and
down regulation of Bcl-2 protein expression [37]. e study revealed
that cells underwent intranucleosomal DNA fragmentation and
morphological changes characteristics of apoptosis while the action
against gastric carcinoma cells by inducing apoptosis was through
JNK/MAPK signaling pathways [38]. e methanolic extract of
Roselle on seven cancer lines implied the AGS cancer cells being
most susceptible in concentration-dependant form aecting both the
intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic routes [39].
Mohamed et al. [40], reported that the antioxidant potential of
Roselle (Hibiscus sabdaria L.) extracts was studied. Dierent plant
organs, including seeds, stems, leaves, and sepals, were analyzed
with respect to their water-soluble antioxidant capacity, lipid-soluble
antioxidant capacity, and tocopherol content. e Roselle seeds are
a good source of lipidsoluble antioxidants, particularly γ-tocopherol.
It’s seed oil was extracted and characterized, and its physicochemical
parameters were reported: acidity, 2.24%; peroxide index, 8.63 meq/
kg; extinction coecients at 232 (k232) and 270 nm (k270), 3.19 and
1.46, respectively. Oxidative stability, 15.53 h; refractive index, 1.477;
density, 0.92 kg/L; and viscosity, 15.9 cP. Roselle seed oil belongs to
linoleic/oleic category, most abundant fatty acids being C18:2 (40.1%),
C18:1 (28%), C16:0 (20%), C18:0 (5.3%), and C19:1 (1.7%). Sterols
include β-sitosterol (71.9%), campesterol (13.6%), ∆-5-avenasterol
(5.9%), cholesterol (1.35%), and clerosterol (0.6%). Total tocopherols
were detected as an average concentration of 2000 mg/kg, including
α-tocopherol (25%), γ-tocopherol (74.5%), and δ-tocopherol (0.5%).
e global characteristics of Roselle seed oil suggest that it could have
important industrial applications, adding to the traditional use of
Roselle sepals in the elaboration of karkade drink.
Dierent physiological eect:
Eect on lipid metabolism: In a studied on hypertensive patients,
the eect of Roselle on lipid prole, creatinine and serum electrolytes
reported that the upward trend of total cholesterol and High Density
Lipid (HDL) which is signicant since HDL-Cholesterol is a protective
factor for coronary heart diseases [41]. Aer consuming Roselle juice
in dierent concentrations and durations, the changes of urine in
normal patients which may help the treatment and prevention of
renal stone disease, reported that a decrease of creatinine, uric acid,
citrate, tartrate, sodium, calcium, phosphate and potassium however
not oxalate in urinary excretion [42].
Antihypertensive eect: e consequence of hypertension is
implicated in the development of cerebrovascular diseases, cardiac
ischemia as well as cardiac and renal failure, and is now considered a
global health problem. Faraji et al. [43], reported that the ecacy of
aqueous extract in hypertensive human showed signicant reduced
pressure dierence in both systolic and diastolic compared to control
group. In another report found the decrease in systolic pressure
signicant, the diastolic pressure remained unchanged [33]. Studies
were also conducted on rats and ndings were supported the popular
belief that Roselle extract contains antihypertensive constituents
[44,45]. e anthocyanins extract investigated for its therapeutic
ecacy, safety and tolerability along with antihypertensive drug
captopril [46], lisinopril in humans found the results were comparable
and suggested that the synergistic mechanism of diuretic and ACE
inhibition results in exerting hypotensive eects [47,48].
Other uses of Roselle/Mesta: A strong ber obtained from the
stem (called rosella hemp) is used for various household purposes
including making sackcloth, twine and cord. A yellow dye obtained
from the petals of the owers. e Roselle seed has 20% oil content.
Use as domestic animal’s food for medicinal eect: A few
studies were found in animals. In post weaning pig, Roselle extract
as acidiers has been found the ability to increase trypsin activity,
improve feed conversion ratio (FCR) and fat digestibility [49]. e

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Open Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences
2019 | Volume 1 | Article 1003
eect of Roselle calyx in layer diets on egg production performance in
the poultry, egg quality and iobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances
(TBARS) value in plasma and yolk was studied to check the lipid per
oxidation as a result of degradation of fats. Storage time of extract
was found as an important factor to decrease egg quality and increase
TBARS value in yolk. [50].
Roselle’s Drink
Roselle drink is caeine free herbal drink from a special type of
hibiscus, called H. sabdaria. Specically, the drink is made out of
the dried fruit part, called calyx. It’s color is red and tastes like berries
[51].
Steps in preparation of Calyx Drink:
a. First, collect the fruits and wash those clean, and then dry in air
or dry in an oven with 70°C for 3 days.
b. en peel o the calyx and store those in air-tight containers.
c. To make drink, simply take 2 g of the dried calyx, and crash
them into small pieces using a wooden roller.
d. en put those in a bag like tea bag or a net, bring out mug and
then add 8 oz of boiling water and steep it for 2 to 4 min, if desired add
sugar, or add other avors of choice such as few drops of lemon juice.
e. We can also refrigerate the dried calyx and make Roselle iced
drink.
Future Approach
Among the properties reported to date, its eect on lipid
metabolism, antihypertensive action and apoptosis are largely studied.
Some studies on its antimicrobial eects were also documented. e
calyx of Roselle is rich in citric acid and pectin and so is useful for
making jams, jellies etc. It is also used to add a red color and to avor
to herb drinks, and could be roasted and used as a coee substitute.
It is found aromatic, astringent, cooling herb that much used in
the Tropics. e leaves found antiscorbutic, emollient, diuretic,
refrigerant, and sedative. e plant also reported to be antiseptic,
aphrodisiac, astringent, cholagogue, demulcent, digestive, purgative
and resolvent. It used as a folk remedy in the treatment of abscesses,
bilious conditions, cancer, cough, debility, dyspepsia, dysuria,
fever, hangover, heart ailments, hypertension, neurosis, scurvy, and
strangury. erefore, with many enriching chemical-biological
knowledge from animal and human models using plant extracts, future
studies with greater scientic robustness in terms of standardization
of dose for its eectiveness, safety and tolerability will permit the
formulation of safe, eective therapeutic herbal formulations which
can be used as an acceptable source for curing many food and health
issues and restoring general health.
Conclusion
ere are so many Roselle crops varieties developed, released and
used at farmer's level for commercial cultivation. All those varieties
leaves and calyces have both vegetable and medicinal values. e
eshy red calyces are the most popular. ey are used fresh for making
wine, juice, jam, jelly, syrup, gelatin, pudding, cakes, ice cream and
avors and also dried and brewed into tea, spice, and used for butter,
pies, sauces, tarts, and other desserts. e roasted seeds can be used as
a coee substitute. e young root is edible, but very brous. Roselle is
an aromatic, astringent, cooling herb that is much used in the Tropics.
e leaves are antiscorbutic, emollient, diuretic, refrigerant, and
sedative. e fruits are antiscorbutic. e owers contain gossypetin,
anthocyanin, and the glycoside hibiscin. ese may have diuretic and
choleretic eects, decreasing the viscosity of the blood, reducing blood
pressure and stimulating intestinal peristalsis. e ripe calyces are
diuretic and antiscorbutic. e plant is also reported to be antiseptic,
aphrodisiac, astringent, cholagogue, demulcent, digestive, purgative
and resolvent. It may reduce risk of cancer. erefore Roselle leaves,
eshy red calyces, roots have great importance in terms of human
nutrition and health care. In future, controlled studies are required to
prove the eectiveness of dierent parts of Roselle under the various
conditions.
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