PREVENTIVE EFFECTS OF HIBISCUS SABDARIFFA LINN. (WHITE VARIETY) AQUEOUS EXTRACTS ON GLUCOSE AND LIPID METABOLIC DISORDERS CHARACTERISTIC OF PREDIABETES IN HIGH-CALORIE DIET-INDUCED WISTAR RATS

Prediabetes, a transitional metabolic state preceding type 2 diabetes, is characterized by insulin resistance, moderate hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia, and oxidative stress. This study evaluates the preventive effects of aqueous extracts from the leaves, calyces, and seeds of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (white variety) on glucose and lipid metabolism disorders induced by a high-calorie diet in Wistar rats. Eight groups of six male Wistar rats were fed for 12 weeks with either a standard diet, a high-calorie diet, or a high-calorie diet combined with two doses (100 or 200 mg/kg) of the plant extracts. The leaf and calyx extracts significantly reduced weight gain, BMI, blood glucose, insulin levels, HOMA-IR, and HOMA-B indices (p < 0,05), showing no significant differences compared to the standard diet group (p > 0,05). Postprandial blood glucose levels also approached those of the standard group. These extracts significantly lowered triglycerides, total cholesterol, and atherogenic indices (TG/HDL-C, CRI, AIP) (p < 0.05), while the reduction in HDL cholesterol remained non-significant (p > 0,05). In contrast, untreated high-calorie diet rats showed a significant decrease in HDL cholesterol (p < 0,05). The extracts also mitigated oxidative stress, with non-significant changes in SOD, catalase, and MDA levels (p > 0.05). Overall, Hibiscus sabdariffa L. leaf and calyx extracts exert a protective effect against early metabolic disturbances associated with type 2 diabetes, supporting their traditional use in Central and Northern Benin.