Effect of Rooibos Tea (Aspalathus linearis) on Chick Skeletal Muscle Cell Growth in Culture

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

“…Komatsu et al (1994) demonstrated the suppressive effect of rooibos tea on mouse embryo fibroblast cells subjected to x-ray induced oncogenic transformation. In this experiment, no growth inhibition (cellular toxicity) was observed after 2 weeks when cells were incubated in ≤2% tea extract prepared in the same manner as Lamosova et al (1997) and, as in this latter report, cell survival decreased linearly at higher concentrations. One week after exposure to 3 Gy x-rays, the transformation frequency (transformants/surviving cells) of cells treated with 2% rooibos tea was no different than in cells treated with x-rays alone, but after 6 weeks of treatment, the transformation frequency was significantly lower by 50%.…”

“…The proliferation and growth of chick embryo muscle cells was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by a rooibos tea preparation (3.5 g dry leaves in 2 L boiling water, steeped 20 min) in study by Lamosova et al (1997). Within 10 days of exposure to 2%, 10% or 100% of the tea extract, cell growth was inhibited 33.9%, 68.6% and 100%, respectively.…”

South African herbal teas: Aspalathus linearis, Cyclopia spp. and Athrixia phylicoides—A review

“…Dose-dependant inhibition of cell proliferation of primary embryonic skeletal muscle cells, fibroblasts and myoblasts by 2, 10 and 100% (undiluted) extract Lamošová et al (1997) Ornithine decarboxylase activity affected only by 100% extract Fermented…”

A broad review of commercially important southern African medicinal plants

“…An animal study suggested the prevention of agerelated accumulation of lipid peroxidases in the brain (Inanami et al, 1995). Effects on cell division (Lamoš ová et al, 1997) and dermatological conditions (Shindo and Kato, 1991) suggest a rationale for the cosmetic use of rooibos tea extracts. See this volume for a more detailed review.…”