Protective effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. on body composition and airway reactivity in obese asthmatic rats

Obesity worsens asthma symptoms and reduces treatment response, highlighting the potential of Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS), traditionally used for obesity management, as a treatment for obesity-exacerbated asthma. This study evaluated whether HS could prevent body composition, airway function, and reactivity changes in Wistar rats with obesity-exacerbated asthma. Male rats were divided into control (Ctrl), obese asthmatic (Ob + Asth), and HS-treated groups at 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg. Rats received a high-glycemic diet for 16 weeks and were sensitized to ovalbumin in the last 22 days. HS was administered orally in the last 30 days. In vivo assessments included weight, fasting glucose, body mass index, and pulmonary ventilation, while in vitro tests measured tracheal contraction and lung and adipose histomorphometry. HS prevented weight gain, reduced glucose and adiposity, decreased adipocyte size, and limited tracheal hyperreactivity and peribronchovascular inflammation. These findings support HS as a promising option for treating obesity-exacerbated asthma. • Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) improves obesity parameters on obese asthmatic rats; • HS prevents tracheal hyperreactivity of rats with obesity-exacerbated asthma; • HS decreases peribronchovascular inflammation; • HS is a candidate for alternative therapy against obesity-exacerbated asthma.