A review of the bioactivity of south African herbal teas: rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) and honeybush (Cyclopia intermedia)

Abstract

Rooibos (Aspalathus

Antioxidant capacity of hesperidin fromCitruspeel using electron spin resonance and cytotoxic activity against human carcinoma cell lines

“…Regarding antioxidant capacity of the extracts using ESR, it was found to be inversely correlated to hesperidin concentration (R 2 = 0.9623) and reached 48.53% ± 0.5%, 41.63% ± 0.55% and 35.19% ± 0.17% for the three former extracts respectively and 36.65% ± 0.56% for hesperidin comparing with 99.33% ± 0.76% antioxidant capacity of vitamin C (Figure 4). The increment of antioxidant capacity in the obtained extracts is due to extraction of higher concentration of other antioxidant agents besides hesperidin that exerted synergetic effect (Palma et al, 2005;Cirico & Omaye, 2006;McKay & Blumberg, 2007).…”

Possible hepatotoxic effect of rooibos tea: a case report

“…It has also been used to treat certain malignancies and inflammatory disorders [1]. Rooibos tea is consumed for enjoyment, as an alternative to Oriental tea, but also for its possible medicinal properties and, to date, no adverse effects have been associated with its consumption [2]. This is noteworthy as the total production of rooibos exceeded 14,000 tons in 2007 [1].…”

“…Based on in vitro studies and studies conducted using animal models, rooibos possesses antioxidant, antimutagenic, immune-modulating and anticancer activities [1,2]. Evidence of any health benefits in humans is, however, scanty.…”

“…It could also be that the rooibos used by our patient was contaminated by some hepatotoxic compound, such as a pyrrolizidine alkaloid, or that she was genetically predisposed to react adversely to one of the many bioactive rooibos constituents, which include a number of flavonoids and other polyphenols as well as minerals [1,2]. Finally, our case underlines the importance of encouraging patients to report their use of dietary supplements, including herbal products, in case of a suspected adverse drug reaction or interaction.…”

Anticancer Activity and Nutritional Value of Extracts of the Seed of Glinus lotoides

“…Apigenin, a widely distributed plant flavonoid abundantly present in fruits and vegetables, is a free-radical scavenger that has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic effects (41). Moreover, rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) and honeybush (Cyclopia intermedia), two popular tisanes in South Africa that are rich in polyphenols, have demonstrated potent antioxidant, immune-modulating and chemopreventive actions in experimental animal studies (42). These data suggest that the seed of G. lotoides may have potential chemopreventive activities as well.…”