Polyphenols rich Hibiscus rosa sinensis Linn. petals modulate diabetic stress signalling pathways in streptozotocin-induced experimental diabetic rats

Hibiscus rosa sinensis L. petals have an impressive range of medicinal uses and are edible with high nutritional value. In the present study, the anti-diabetic potential of Hibiscus was evaluated. HPLC-DAD and LCMS analyses of ethyl acetate fraction of Hibiscus (EHRS) revealed the presence of eight potent phytochemicals. Anti-diabetic effect was evaluated by the intra-gastric administration of EHRS at the dose of 25 mg/kg body weight in streptozotocin-induced experimental diabetic rats and compared with metformin. Streptozotocin-induced alterations of blood glucose, glycated haemoglobin, toxicity markers and antioxidant defence system were normalised by EHRS administration. EHRS significantly modulated the expressions of marker genes involved in diabetic stress signalling pathway, such as NF-κB, P38MAPK, AKT, PI3K and Nrf2. The histopathological studies of liver reinforce our findings. The overall effect was comparable with metformin. The study reveals the efficacy of Hibiscus as a potent source of phytochemicals in ameliorating diabetic complications.