Publications

antidiabetic effect of green rooibos (aspalathus linearis) extract in cultured cells and type 2 diabetic model kk-a(y) mice.	previous studies have demonstrated antidiabetic effects for rooibos (aspalathus linearis) and aspalathin (asp), one of its main polyphenols. rooibos, an endemic plant of south africa, is well-known for its use as herbal tea. green ('unfermented') rooibos has been shown to contain more asp than 'fermented' rooibos tea, currently the major product. in the present study, we investigated the antidiabetic effect of green rooibos extract (gre) through studies on glucose uptake in l6 myotubes and on pa ...	2015	25410530
aspalathin and nothofagin from rooibos (aspalathus linearis) inhibit endothelial protein c receptor shedding in vitro and in vivo.	aspalathin (asp) and nothofagin (not) are two major active dihydrochalcones found in green rooibos, which have been reported for their anti-oxidant activity. increasing evidence has demonstrated that beyond its role in the activation of protein c, endothelial cell protein c receptor (epcr) is also involved in vascular inflammation. epcr activity is markedly changed by ectodomain cleavage and its release as the soluble epcr. epcr can be shed from the cell surface, which is mediated by tumor necro ...	2015	25510322
isolation of aspalathin and nothofagin from rooibos (aspalathus linearis) using high-performance countercurrent chromatography: sample loading and compound stability considerations.	aspalathin and nothofagin, the major dihydrochalcones in rooibos (aspalathus linearis), are valuable bioactive compounds, but their bioactivity has not been fully elucidated. isolation of these compounds using high-performance countercurrent chromatography (hpccc), a gentle, support-free, up-scalable technique, offers an alternative to synthesis for obtaining sufficient amounts. an hplc-dad method was adapted to allow rapid (16 min from injection to injection) quantification of the four major co ...	2015	25614190
effect of rooibos extract (aspalathus linearis) on lipid oxidation over time and the sensory analysis of blesbok (damaliscus pygargus phillipsi) and springbok (antidorcas marsupialis) droëwors.	the study objective was to investigate the addition of rooibos extract (rbe) in blesbok and springbok droëwors, a dried meat sausage with added beef fat, to improve oxidative stability. after a storage period of two weeks, inhibition of lipid oxidation showed to be successful with rbe 1.0% addition. no differences (p>0.05) in heme-iron results within the raw, dried or stored samples were seen. however, a positive correlation between lipid oxidation and heme-iron was noted. the fatty acid profile ...	2015	25617707
anti-inflammatory effects of aspalathin and nothofagin from rooibos (aspalathus linearis) in vitro and in vivo.	aspalathin (asp) and nothofagin (not) are two major active dihydrochalcones found in green rooibos, which have been reported for their anti-oxidant activity. here, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects and underlying mechanisms of asp and not against lipopolysaccharide (lps)-mediated vascular inflammatory responses. the anti-inflammatory activities of asp and not were determined by measuring permeability, monocytes adhesion and migration, and activation of pro-inflammatory proteins in lp ...	2015	25655391
natural products useful in respiratory disorders: focus on side-effect neutralizing combinations.	this review summarizes literature related to medicinal plants reputed in traditional medical systems for treatment of asthma and coughs. the plants that are pharmacologically investigated for their effectiveness in such conditions, along with respective experimental protocol details, are also discussed. some of plant origin compounds, which are considered useful as antitussive and antiasthmatic agents, are described as well. chrysoeriol, a constituent of aspalathus linearis (fabaceae) was observ ...	2015	26061992
free radical scavenging ability of aspalathus linearis in two in vitro models of diabetes and cancer.	the free radical scavenging activity of aspalathus linearis (rooibos tea) and its effect on reactive oxygen species (ros), catalase (cat), and superoxide dismutase (sod) were investigated in two in vitro disease models of cancer and diabetes. although the antioxidant activity of this tea has been reported in several studies, its effects in disease models of ros-induced oxidative stress have not been systematically evaluated to date. the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (orac) assay was used in ...	2015	26151031
ameliorative effect of aspalathin and nothofagin from rooibos (aspalathus linearis) on hmgb1-induced septic responses in vitro and in vivo.	the ubiquitous nuclear protein, high mobility group box 1 (hmgb1), is released by activated macrophages and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (huvecs) and functions as a late mediator of experimental sepsis. aspalathin (asp) and nothofagin (not), which have been reported to have anti-oxidant activity, are the two major active dihydrochalcones found in green rooibos. in this study, we investigated the antiseptic effects and underlying mechanisms of asp and not against hmgb1-mediated septic r ...	2015	26224030
natural products of relevance in the prevention and supportive treatment of depression.	the use of herbs or their parts: leaves, roots, rhizomes, flowers, seeds, natural strains, as well as extracts or isolated metabolites is becoming more and more popular. natural remedies not only act prophylactically, but also help to alleviate symptoms of many diseases and enhance the overall functioning of the internal organs. many raw materials of natural origin plays a role in treatment of health problems, and also in case of serious diseases such as depression. depression (affective disorde ...	2016	26276913
aspalathin improves glucose and lipid metabolism in 3t3-l1 adipocytes exposed to palmitate.	saturated-free fatty acids, such as palmitate, are associated with insulin resistance. this study aimed to establish if an aspalathin-enriched green rooibos extract (gre) and, its major flavanoid, aspalathin (asp) could contribute significantly to the amelioration of experimentally induced insulin resistance in 3t3-l1 adipocytes.	2015	26310822
content of selected minerals and active ingredients in teas containing yerba mate and rooibos.	the study aimed to determine the content of selected elements: sodium, potassium, copper, zinc, iron, manganese and active ingredients such as phenolic acids and tannins in teas containing yerba mate and rooibos cultivated in various areas. the study material comprised six samples of yerba mate teas and of rooibos teas, both tea bags and leaves, purchased in puławy and online via allegro. in total, 24 samples were tested. yerba mate was particularly abundant in mn and fe. the richest source of t ...	2016	26686675
short-term and sub-chronic dietary exposure to aspalathin-enriched green rooibos (aspalathus linearis) extract affects rat liver function and antioxidant status.	an aspalathin-enriched green rooibos (aspalathus linearis) extract (gre) was fed to male fischer rats in two independent studies for 28 and 90 days. the average dietary total polyphenol (tp) intake was 756 and 627 mg gallic acid equivalents (gae)/kg body weight (bw)/day over 28 and 90 days, respectively, equaling human equivalent doses (heds) of 123 and 102 gae mg/kg bw/day. aspalathin intake of 295 mg/kg bw/day represents a hed of 48 mg/kg bw/day (90 day study). consumption of gre increased fee ...	2015	26694346
phenylpropenoic acid glucoside from rooibos protects pancreatic beta cells against cell death induced by acute injury.	previous studies demonstrated that a phenylpropenoic acid glucoside (ppag) from rooibos (aspalathus linearis) extract had anti-hyperglycemic activity and significant protective effects on the pancreatic beta cell mass in a chronic diet-induced diabetes model. the present study evaluated the cytoprotective effect of the phytochemical on beta cells exposed to acute cell stress.	2016	27299564
phenylpyruvic acid-2-o-β-d-glucoside attenuates high glucose-induced apoptosis in h9c2 cardiomyocytes.	chronic hyperglycemia is closely associated with impaired substrate metabolism, dysregulated mitochondrial membrane potential, and apoptosis in the diabetic heart. as adult cardiomyocytes display a limited capacity to regenerate following an insult, it is essential to protect the myocardium against the detrimental effects of chronic hyperglycemia. this study therefore investigated whether phenylpyruvic acid-2-o-β-d-glucoside, present in aspalathus linearis (rooibos), is able to attenuate hypergl ...	2016	27405104
correction: van der merwe, j.d., et al. short-term and sub-chronic dietary exposure to aspalathin-enriched green rooibos (aspalathus linearis) extract affects rat liver function and antioxidant status. molecules 2015, 20, 22674-22690.	the authors wish to make the following corrections to their published paper [1].[...].	2016	27420037
transition rates of selected metals determined in various types of teas (camellia sinensis l. kuntze) and herbal/fruit infusions.	teas and raw materials used as ingredients of herbal and fruit infusions (hfi) were analysed by means of icp-ms for their content of aluminium, arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead and mercury in the dry product and in the infusion. samples of tea (camellia sinensis l. kuntze) were selected to include different origins, types (black, green), leaf grades (whole leaf, broken, fannings, dust) and manufacturing techniques (orthodox, "crush, tear, curl"). the selected hfi raw materials (chamomile, elderber ...	2017	27542446
the potential role of polyphenols in the modulation of skin cell viability by aspalathus linearis and cyclopia spp. herbal tea extracts in vitro.	the relationship between polyphenol constituents, antioxidant properties of aqueous and methanol extracts of green tea (camellia sinensis), the herbal teas, rooibos (aspalathus linearis) and honeybush (cyclopia spp.), against skin cell viability was investigated in vitro.	2016	27671741
anti-inflammatory effects of aspalathus linearis and cyclopia spp. extracts in a uvb/keratinocyte (hacat) model utilising interleukin-1α accumulation as biomarker.	ultraviolet b (uvb) radiation is one of the major predisposing risk factors of skin cancer. the anticancer and photoprotective effects of unoxidized rooibos (aspalathus linearis) and honeybush (cyclopia) herbal teas, containing high levels of dihydrochalones and xanthones, respectively, have been demonstrated in skin cancer models in vivo. in the current study, the anti-inflammatory effects of methanol and aqueous extracts of these herbal teas were investigated in a uvb/hacat keratinocyte model ...	2016	27706097
inhibitory interactions of aspalathus linearis (rooibos) extracts and compounds, aspalathin and z-2-(β-d-glucopyranosyloxy)-3-phenylpropenoic acid, on cytochromes metabolizing hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic drugs.	rooibos extract, due to its glucose and lipid lowering effects, has potential as a nutraceutical for improvement of metabolic dysfunction. potential herb-drug interactions as a result of the use of natural products are of increasing concern. cytochrome p450 enzymes, cyp2c8, cyp2c9, and cyp3a4, are important in the metabolism of hypoglycemic drugs, such as thiazolidinediones (tzds) and sulfonylureas, and hypocholesterolemic drugs, such as atorvastatin. this study investigated the effects of rooib ...	2016	27845750
in vitro chemopreventive properties of green tea, rooibos and honeybush extracts in skin cells.	the chemopreventive properties of the herbal teas rooibos (aspalathus linearis) and honeybush (cyclopia spp.) have been demonstrated on mouse skin in vivo but the underlying mechanisms are not clear. the aim of the current study was to determine the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activity of methanol and aqueous extracts of rooibos and two cyclopia species in different skin cells, using green tea (camellia sinensis) as a benchmark. extracts were also characterised for their major individua ...	2016	27897996
evaluation of capillary electrophoresis for the analysis of rooibos and honeybush tea phenolics.	rooibos and honeybush are popular herbal teas produced from the shrubs of aspalathus linearis and cyclopia spp., respectively, which are indigenous to south africa. both herbal teas are rich in polyphenols and their consumption is associated with several health benefits, partly ascribed to their phenolic constituents. quantification of phenolics in extracts and teas for quality control and research purposes is generally performed using hplc, although dedicated and often species-specific methods ...	2017	27921291
effect of rooibos tea ( aspalathus linearis ) on japanese quail growth, egg production and plasma metabolites.		2008	28140626
effect of vitamin d3 fortification and saskatoon berry syrup addition on the flavor profile, acceptability, and antioxidant properties of rooibos tea (aspalathus linearis).	the unique characteristics and healthful reputation of caffeine-free rooibos tea (rt) make it an ideal carrier for vitamin d3 supplementation, and a potential base for the addition of saskatoon berry syrup (sbs), a natural flavor additive. the objective of this study was to determine the effect of vitamin d3 fortification and sbs addition on the flavor profile, consumer acceptability, and antioxidant properties of rt. six formulations (rt, rt with sbs, rt with sbs and vitamin d3 , rt with vitami ...	2017	28192609
phenolic profiling of rooibos using off-line comprehensive normal phase countercurrent chromatography×reversed phase liquid chromatography.	limited performance of one dimensional chromatographic methods provides the incentive for the development of multidimensional chromatographic techniques for the analysis of complex mixtures. rooibos (aspalathus linearis) represents such a complex sample, containing a range of phenolic compounds that cannot be separated and identified using a single chromatographic technique within a reasonable run time. by implementing np high performance countercurrent chromatography (np-hpccc) in the first dim ...	2017	28236460
density dependent interactions between va mycorrhizal fungi and even-aged seedlings of two perennial fabaceae species.	the interaction of density and mycorrhizal effects on the growth, mineral nutrition and size distribution of seedlings of two perennial members of the fabaceae was investigated in pot culture. seedlings of otholobium hirtum and aspalathus linearis were grown at densities of 1, 4, 8 and 16 plants per 13-cm pot with or without vesicular-arbuscular (va) mycorrhizal inoculum for 120 days. plant mass, relative growth rates, height and leaf number all decreased with increasing plant density. this was ...	1992	28313470
minimising variation in aspalathin content of aqueous green rooibos extract - optimising extraction and identifying critical material attributes.	high levels of aspalathin, an antidiabetic dihydrochalcone, in green rooibos underpins interest in the production of a standardised extract. elements of a quality-by-design approach was applied to optimise extract conditions, aiming at delivering a dry matter yield (dmy) ≥ 160 g kg(-1) and an extract with an aspalathin content (ac) ≥ 80 g kg(-1) .	2017	28397329