Effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa on insulin resistance, weight gain, body adiposity and lipid profile in mice

• Grant number: 18/00305-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2019
• End date: December 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nutrition
• Principal Investigator: Vivian Marques Miguel Suen
• Grantee: Ana Carolina Palermo dos Santos
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Obesity is a chronic condition characterized by accumulation of body fat in the individual (SBEM, 2017) and is directly related to abnormalities including cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia and insulin resistance. The treatment of this condition is based on interventions for lifestyle modification, dietary orientation, increased physical activity and behavioral changes (ABESO, 2017). In this context, natural products, such as herbal supplements, are commonly used as complementary and alternative medicine. Among these plants, Hibiscus sabdariffa stands out, whose use has been diffused among individuals that aim at weight loss. In addition to its antioxidant, diuretic, and hypolipidemic effects (NNAMONU et al., 2013), hibiscus is known for its protective effects against hypertension, inflammation, hepatic disease (JOVEN et. al., 2014; ALI et al., 2003) and in the reduction of weight gain (CHANG et al., 2014). Therefore, the present study aims to analyze the effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa supplementation in the prevention of metabolic syndrome in mice. For this, male mice will be used in the following division of four groups: 10 animals of group I with standard diet, 10 animals of group II with standard diet and hibiscus, 10 animals of group III with hypercaloric diet, 10 animals of group IV with hypercaloric diet and hibiscus. The supplementation will continue for a period of eight weeks. Before and after the treatment period, blood samples will be collected for insulin dosage, glycemia and lipidogram, faeces samples and weigth and tissue collection will be performed.