Why taking zobo drink alongside cholesterol pill is bad

A glass of cold zobo drink is very refreshing, especially now that we are entering the dry season. In fact, individuals with high blood pressure also drink as it supports good blood pressure control.

Now, experts have asked individuals taking Simvastatin, a group of medication to lower “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and fats and raise “good” cholesterol (HDL) in the blood, to be wary of drinking zobo drink.

In a new study, researchers said even if they were to drink zobo, it must not be taken almost at the same time or one after the other with this medication because of the possibility the two interacting with each other.

According to them, this can lower the effectiveness of Simvastatin in lovering cholesterol, and thus its ability to prevent heart disease, heart attack and stroke.

For the study, the researchers assessed the effectiveness and possible interaction of zobo extract with simvastatin in Wistar rats that were made to develop high cholesterol under laboratory conditions.

Subsequently, the effect of zobo drink was also evaluated in six healthy human volunteers taking a single-dose 40 mg simvastatin over a two week period.

The 2017 study in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics involved Showande S.J; Adegbolagun O.M; and Fakeye T.O from the University of Ibadan in collaboration with Igbinoba S.I from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

They found that zobo extract reduced total cholesterol better than simvastatin. Also, low-dose hibiscus extract and low-dose simvastatin used almost at the same time caused 38.3 per cent and 57.4 per cent reductions in total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, respectively, compared with low-dose simvastatin.

Given that zobo drink caused a significant herb-drug interaction that results in overall reduction in simvastatin in the blood, they said taking this drink at or almost at the same time with simvastatin should be discouraged until more clinical data are available.

Simvastatin belongs to a group of medicines called statins. The medicine works by reducing the amount of cholesterol made by the liver.

Lowering “bad” cholesterol and triglycerides and raising “good” cholesterol decreases the risk of heart disease and helps prevent strokes and heart attacks.

Some medicines don’t mix well with simvastatin, including some antibiotics, some HIV medicines and some drugs for high blood pressure such as amlodipine.

Increasing number of patients use herbs with their medications. Such practice may result in beneficial or harmful herb-drug interactions. St John’s Wort, an herbal medicine taking for depression, reduces the amount of simvastatin in the blood, so it doesn’t work as well. In addition, grapefruit juice needs to be avoided as well.

Hibiscus sabdariffa, also known as roselle or zobo, is used for its medicinal properties. The plant known for their large, colourful flowers is used in the pharmaceutical and food industries.

Egyptians used this hibiscus tea to lower body temperature, treat heart and nerve diseases, and as a diuretic to increase urine production. In Africa, tea was used to treat constipation, cancer, liver disease, and cold symptoms. Pulp made from the leaves was applied to the skin to heal wounds.

In Iran, drinking sour tea is still a common treatment for high blood pressure.

Today, hibiscus is popular for its potential to reduce high blood pressure. Modern studies show promise for both the tea and hibiscus plant extract to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Hibiscus shows potential for cancer treatment and as a weight loss aid. Another recent study found that hibiscus extract might have an effect on metabolism, preventing obesity and fat build up in the liver.