ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Traditionally and empirically, Hibiscus sabdariffa L. have been used in treating diabetes mellitus due to their antioxidant activity. This study aims to investigate the effect of administering the ethyl acetate fraction of hibiscus calyxes on malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) levels, bleeding time, and platelet count in male white rats induced with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. METHOD: Thirty-six Wistar Kyoto rats were induced with intra-peritoneal streptozotocin at 55 mg/kg BW and stabilized for five days to obtain diabetic conditions. Diabetic animals were divided into four groups; the diabetic group was given vehicle, the glibenclamide group was given 0.45 mg/kg BW of Glibenclamide, and two groups were administered the ethyl acetate fraction of hibiscus calyxes (EAFHC) at doses of 100 mg/kg BW and 200 mg/kg BW for five days. Subsequently, the MDA, TNF-α, bleeding time and platelet count levels were examined on days 1, 3, and 5, respectively. All data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA followed by the Duncan Multiple Rank Test (DMRT). RESULTS: EAFHC significantly reduced MDA and TNF-α levels (p<0.05). Additionally, this fraction appeared to shorten bleeding time and decrease platelet count in diabetic rats. Administration of the EAFHC for five days effectively lowered MDA and TNF-α levels significantly, decreased platelet counts and prolonged coagulation (p<0.05) in diabetic rats. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that EAFHC effectively reduces MDA and TNF-α levels and reduces the risk of hypercoagulability in diabetic model.
