Bioactive Metabolites and Antihypertensive Effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa : A Narrative Review

Abstract

Hypertension is a major risk factor for catastrophic diseases. The use of synthetic drugs often causes side effects. This narrative review aims to identify the main active compounds and mechanisms of antihypertensive action of Hibiscus sabdariffa. The article searches the PubMed and Science Direct databases for original articles from 2015–2025, following the four stages of the PRISMA flowchart, namely (1) Identification: collecting articles based on the keywords “Hibiscus sabdariffa, hypertension, Compounds, Mechanism of Action” from PubMed and Science Direct, 322 articles were obtained. (2) Screening: selecting articles from the last 10 years, 255 articles were obtained. (3) Eligibility: selecting research articles and ensuring that the title and content are appropriate, 13 articles were obtained. (4) Inclusion: determining inclusion criteria with the keywords “Hibiscus sabdariffa, hypertension, Compounds, Mechanism of Action” and 6 articles met the inclusion criteria. The results showed that Hibiscus sabdariffa is rich in anthocyanins, especially delphinidin-3-sambubioside and cyanidin-3-sambubioside, which lower blood pressure through ACE inhibition and vasodilation. Phenolic compounds such as chlorogenic acid, gallic acid, caffeic acid, rutin, quercetin, myricetin, and syringic acid work through antioxidant mechanisms that contribute to lowering systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Hot water extraction resulted in higher concentrations of antihypertensive metabolites compared to cold extract. In conclusion, Hibiscus sabdariffa has strong potential as a natural antihypertensive agent through ACE inhibition, increased Endothelium-Derived Nitric Oxide (EDNO), vasodilation, diuretic effects, and antioxidant activity. Clinical trials are needed to validate these findings and ensure its safety.