Hibiscus rosa-sinensis : Pharmacological review - International ...

International Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences 

ISSN: 2229-3701 

__________________________________________ Review Paper 

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis : Pharmacological review 

Sukirti Upadhyay * and Prashant Upadhyay 

College of Pharmacy, IFTM, Moradabad-244001,(U.P), INDIA 

ABSTRACT 

H.rosa sinensis plant as a whole is used in varios ailments from centuries.It is an easily available plant for 

natural remedies here in this article some pharmacological activites of this plant are focused. 

INTRODUCTION 

Article 

Scientific name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 

Pronunciation: hye-BISS-kus roe-zuh-sye-NENsis 

Common name(s): Tropical Hibiscus, Chinese 

Hibiscus 

Vernacular Names 

Sanskrit japa, Hindi jasum, Bengali jaba, English 

Chinese hibiscus, Bunga Raya in Malayalam, 

Sembaruthi in Tamil and Dasananu in Telugu. 

Family: Malvaceae 

Plant type: tree 

Planting month for zone 9: year round 

Planting month for zone 10 and 11: year round 

Uses: hedge; border; mass planting; specimen; 

container or above-ground planter; foundation; 

trained as a standard; espalier; accent; attracts 

butterflies; attracts humming birds. 

________________________________________ 

*Address for correspondence: 

E-mail: p23upadhyay@yahoo.com 

Availablity: generally available in many areas 

within its hardiness range 

Description 

Hibiscus rosa-sinesis Linn. (Malvaceae) is a 

glabrous shrub widely cultivated in the tropics. It is 

well accepted that the leaves and flowers of 

Hibiscus rosa-sinesis have hair growth promoting 

and antigreying properties (1-2). Moreover in India, 

the herbal products in the market intended for hair 

growth include the extract of various parts of 

Hibiscus rosa sinesis Adhirajan et al. reported that 

the leaf extract of Hibiscus rosa-sinesis has a 

potential effect on maintaining the hair growth in 

in-vivo and in-vitro methods(3). Hibiscus rosasinensis 

(Fam. Malvaceae) is a perennial 

ornamental shrub available throughout India. 

Various parts of this plant, like leaves, flowers and 

roots, have been known to possess medicinal 

properties like aphrodisiac, menorrhagic, oral 

contraceptive, laxative, etc. (4). Several articles and 

ancient literature have shown that the flowers of 

this plant possess antifertility activity, like 

antiimplantation, abortifacient,in rodents 

(5).Implantation is a very crucial event in 

reproductive physiology. Several biochemical, 

biophysical and hormonal changes take place prior 

to this event (6). Several studies have shown that 

endometrial membrane conditions are important for 

blastocyst implantation (7). Progesterone, estrogen, 

oxyradical and antioxidant systems regulate 

implantation (6, 8). 

The aqueous-ethanolic extract of aerial parts of H. 

rosasinensis were reported for its use in 

constipation and diarrhea (9). The alcoholic extract 

of flowers of H. rosasinesis has been proved to 

possess anticonvulsant property (10). In traditional 

medicine, the leaves of the plant are used in fatigue 

and skin disease. Fresh root juice of the plant is 

given for gonorrhea and powder root for 

menorrhagia (11). Flowers of the plant are used in 

epilepsy, leprosy, bronchial catarrh and diabetes 

(12). 

Vol. 2(4) Oct - Dec 2011 www.ijrpbsonline.com 1449

International Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences 

An infusion of the petal is widely used in 

Ayurvedic medicine in India as a demulcent 

refrigerant drink in fever (13) and decoction is 

given in bronchial catarrh (14). Previous studies 

showed that the plant possesses anticomplementary, 

anti-diarrhetic, anti-phologistic 

(15) activity. It has been reported that the plant 

flower possesses anti-spermatogenic and 

androgenic (16),anti-tumour (17) and 

anticonvulsant (18) activities. The use of flower to 

treat heart disorders has also been described (19, 

20) has demonstrated the anti-diabetic activity of 

H. rosa sinensis in diabetic rural population. A new 

flavonol bioside from the flowers of Hibiscus 

vitifolius Linn. was found to exhibit significant 

hypoglycemicactivity in glucose induced 

hyperglycemic rats (21).Infusion of the petals is 

given as refrigerant and demulcent. Leaves are used 

as laxative while root is used in cough (22). 

Conclusion 

H. rosasinensis posses many properties and this 

plant may procured at large scale for providing 

herbal alternative to many diseases. 

Acknowledgement 

I would like to acknowledge Dr. R M Dubey, 

Director, College of Pharmacy, IFTM for research 

facility and financial support. 

REFERENCES 

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Y.N., Singh A.K, Traditional medicinal 

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ISSN: 2229-3701 

study. Biochem Biophys Res Commun; 1990; 

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