SCIENCE ALERT: Lippia citriodora and Hibiscus sabdariffa extracts: effects on hypotensive properties in overweight and obese individuals in a randomized controlled trial (Journal of Functional Foods)

Editor's Note

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in industrialized countries and are strongly related to arterial hypertension (HT). This research group studied the effect of a product that combines the aqueous polyphenolic extracts of Lippia citriodora (LC) and Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS). The study material was capsules containing 500 mg of a polyphenolic mixture isolated from HS calyxes and LC leaves whose composition was determined by HPLC coupled to mass spectrometry. 84 adults with pre-hypertensive /stage 1 HT, with BMI > 35, and with no ongoing pharmacological treatment were included in the study. The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial lasting 6 weeks.

The LC-HS combination improved anthropometric, circulating parameters, and fat content, decreased average and daytime systolic/diastolic blood pressure, and decreased nighttime diastolic blood pressure and % dipper status. The authors suggest that the combination of these extracts exerts a hypotensive effect through a multifaceted mechanism, and conclude that the LC + HS combination product offers new dietary possibilities in the treatment of pathologies associated with arterial hypertension.

September 2021

Journal of Functional Foods

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2021.104583

Effect of metabolaid ^® on pre- and stage 1 hypertensive patients: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Many patients with stage 1 hypertension have difficulties to achieve lifestyle changes to avoid the progression of the disease. The use of natural alternatives with demonstrated blood pressure-regulating properties is instrumental at this stage, avoiding the side effects found in some pharmaceutical drugs. In this context, previous studies have indicated the possibility that a botanical nutraceutical product based on the combination of Lippia citriodora and Hibiscus sabdariffa extracts has hypotensive properties in overweight and obese individuals. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the antihypertensive properties of this dietary supplement, as well as the effect on anthropometric and circulating parameters in pre-hypertensive and early stage 1 hypertensive patients (n = 84). The nutraceutical product, rich in polyphenolic compounds, has been assessed in a 6-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with pre-hypertensive and early stage 1 hypertensive (non-medicated) individuals. Participants consumed early in the morning in fasting conditions 2 capsules/day containing each one 250 mg of the polyphenolic extracts. Anthropometric and blood parameters as well as punctual and continuous blood pressure monitoring were determined in placebo and experimental groups. As a result and compared to baseline values, volunteers showed a significant reduction of average daily systolic/diastolic blood pressure as well as in daytime diastolic/systolic, nighttime diastolic blood pressure and in % dipper. Intergroup analysis revealed that the consumption of the plant extract resulted in a significant reduction of body fat content (−1.26%; p < 0.05) and nocturnal systolic blood pressure (−16.60 mmHg; p < 0.05) as well as an improvement of the dipper status (3.18%; p < 0.01). In conclusion, these results suggest that the nutraceutical acts as a main regulator of the individual's blood pressure towards healthier values, and therefore may be useful for pre-hypertensive/pre-medicated individuals.