Roselle, native to West Africa, contains antioxidants, which could prevent the formation of fat cells.
- Roselle or Hibiscus sabdariffa is a herbaceous plant, native to West Africa, which is part of the Malvaceae family.
- It contains polyphenols, which could reduce fat accumulation by 95% and inhibit the digestive enzyme called “lipase”, like certain drugs against obesity.
- Its phenolic extracts could help create a food product to interfere with the formation of fat cells and avoid the side effects of treatments.
“Christmas gooseberry”, “Karkade”, “Rose tea from Abyssinia” or even “Sorrel from Guinea”. These are the nicknames given to the roselle, which is none other than theHibiscus sabdariffa. This herbaceous plant, native to West Africa, is part of the Malvaceae family. Recently, researchers at the Royal Institute of Technology in Melbourne (Australia) revealed that it could help us lose weight. To reach this conclusion, they carried out a study, the results of which were published in the journal International Journal of Food Science and Technology.
Roselle: polyphenols and organic acid prevent the formation of adipocytes
“Adipogenesis is a complex physiological process. When the body has an excessive supply of fat, it can be deposited in cells, which transforms them into fat cells called adipocytes. Adipocytes are essential for regulating levels of fat. “energy and sugar in the body. However, when energy intake exceeds expenditure, fat cells can increase in size and number, which contributes to the onset of obesity”, wrote the team in a statement.
In this research, she evaluated the potential of phenolic extracts and potassium hydroxycitrate acid, obtained from theHibiscus sabdariffa, to inhibit the formation of fat cells. In order to obtain and analyze the polyphenols, compounds rich in antioxidants, and the organic acid of roselle, the scientists used organic solvents (methanol, ethanol and ethyl acetate) and water. Human stem cells were treated separately with phenolic extracts and hydroxycitric acid before being transformed into fat cells.
Roselle polyphenols reduce fat accumulation by 95%
According to the results, cells treated with hydroxycitric acid showed no change in the fat content of adipocytes. However, cells treated with phenolic extracts contained 95% less fat. “All phenolic extracts down-regulated the gene expression of two key adipogenic markers (PPAR-γ and aP2)”the authors said.
The study also showed that the polyphenols in roselle had digestive enzyme inhibiting properties similar to those of some anti-obesity drugs. As a reminder, these compounds inhibit the digestive enzyme called “lipase”. The latter helps to break down fats into small fractions so that they are absorbed by the body via the intestine. Excess fat is transformed into fat cells. By inhibiting the enzyme, fat cannot be absorbed and is therefore flushed out through the colon as waste.
Obesity: roselle, a food alternative to medication?
According to Benu Adhikari, author of the work, these results could have an impact on the way obesity is managed. “Phenolic extracts from roselle could help create a food product effective in interfering with the formation of fat cells, while avoiding the negative side effects of certain drugs”, did he declare.
Now, the authors plan to “encapsulate” the phenolic extracts for use in dietary products. The extracts could be made into small beads and used to make a refreshing drink. “Phenolic extracts oxidize easily, so encapsulation not only extends their shelf life, but it allows us to control how they are released and absorbed by the body. If we don’t encapsulate the extract, it risks breaking down in the stomach before we can enjoy its benefits”, concluded Benu Adhikari.
