An update review on Hibiscus rosa sinensis phytochemistry and medicinal uses

Abstract

Hibiscus rosa sinensis is known as China rose belonging to the Malvaceae family. This plant has various important medicinal uses for treating wounds, inflamation, fever and coughs, diabetes, infections caused by bacteria and fungi, hair loss, and gastric ulcers in several tropical countries. Phytochemical analysis documented that the main bioactive compounds responsible for its medicinal effects are namely flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, saponins, and alkaloids. Experiment from recent studies showed that various types of extracts from all H. rosa sinensis parts exhibited a wide range of beneficial effects such as hypotensive, anti-pyritic, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antioxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-diabetic, wound healing, and abortifacient activities. The few studies on toxicity exhibited that most extracts from all parts of this plant did not show any signs of toxicity at higher doses according to histological analysis. However, some of the extracts did alter biochemical and hematological parameters. Therefore, further research must be conducted to isolate the phytochemicals and explore their specific mechanism of action. This review summarizes the phytochemistry, pharmocology, and medicinal uses of this flower with the purpose of finding gaps demanding for future research and investigating its therapeutic potential through clinical trials.