Flavonoid-rich extracts of Hibiscus sabdariffa leaf attenuate cardiomyopathy in streptozotocin-induced rats

Cardiac damage resulting from diabetes poses a significant health risk, underscoring the need to investigate potential therapeutic interventions. This study investigates the potential cardioprotective effects of flavonoid-rich extracts from Hibiscus sabdariffa leaves in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The study involved diabetic rats administered low and high doses of Hibiscus sabdariffa leaf flavonoid-rich extracts (LDHSFL and HDHSFL), along with metformin (MET), diabetic control, and normal groups. The experiment evaluates various cardiac parameters, including redox stress biomarkers, ATPase activities, gene expression of p53 and VCAM, phosphatase activities, transaminase, serum creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) activities, cardiac troponins, and natriuretic peptide levels. The results reveal that the administration of LDHSFL and HDHSFL in diabetic rats significantly (p < 0.05) improved the level of GSH, activities of antioxidant enzyme, ATPase, phosphatase, transaminase, and CKMB. Also, diabetic rats treated with LDHSFL and HDHSFL significantly enhanced the relative gene expression of p53 and VCAM when compared with diabetic control. Added to this, there were reductions in the level of MDA, serum cardiac troponins, and natriuretic peptide in diabetic rats administered LDHSFL and HDHSFL. Furthermore, the administration of LDHSFL and HDHSFL in diabetic rats restored the cardiac muscle. The study suggests a potential therapeutic role of Hibiscus sabdariffa leaf extracts in mitigating diabetic-induced cardiac dysfunction.