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In Vitro Study Shows Promise for Hibiscus Extract on Cholesterol |
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In Vitro Study Shows Promise for Hibiscus Extract on Cholesterol
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Darrell Miller | 07/06/06 |
Date:
July 06, 2006 12:04 PM
Author: Darrell Miller
(dm@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: In Vitro Study Shows Promise for Hibiscus Extract on Cholesterol
Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosasinensis L.) contains many antioxidant compounds, such as flavonoids, polyphenols, and anthocyanins, which previous research has shown may help prevent low-density lipoprotein (LDL or “bad”) cholesterol from oxidizing. A new study, published in the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology (2006, vol. 44: 1015-1023), focused on the effects of anthocyanin extracts from hibiscus on LDL oxidation, as well as fragmentation of apollpoprotein B (ApoB), which is responsible for the transport of cholesterol to tissues. Results showed that depending on the dose (0.25, 0.50, or 1.0 milligrams per milliliter of anthocyanins), the extract reduced LDL cholesterol_oxidation by 13, 56, and 75 percent, respectively. All three concentrations also appeared to have scavenged approximately 100 percent of free radicals.
