Possible hepatotoxic effect of rooibos tea: a case report

Sinisalo, Marjatta; Enkovaara, Anna-Liisa; Kivistö, Kari T.

doi:10.1007/s00228-009-0776-7

Cited by 26 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…This case study is the first report suggesting that rooibos may have adverse hepatic effects. The authors stated that in spite of rooibos's excellent safety record, further studies are recommended to resolve this question (Sinisalo et al, 2010). In the current study, average increases in some of the hepatic enzymes were noted, but may not be of clinical importance, as the values are still within the normal reference ranges, however this could be indicative that some of the volunteers had anomalous reactions to rooibos.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 60%

“…These results are in line with the findings obtained from two previous human studies (Hesseling et al, 1979;Breet et al, 2005) and an experimental animal study (Marnewick et al, 2003) and serves to establish the safety of short term consumption of rooibos. Recently, a case study was reported by Sinisalo et al (2010) that describe a 42-year-old woman who had been diagnosed with a low-grade B-cell malignancy, Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, in 2004. She exhibited elevated plasma levels of ALT, GGT and ALP on a clinical visit.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Effects of rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) on oxidative stress and biochemical parameters in adults at risk for cardiovascular disease

Marnewick

Rautenbach

Venter

et al. 2011

Journal of Ethnopharmacology

139

125

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 60%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Effects of rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) on oxidative stress and biochemical parameters in adults at risk for cardiovascular disease

Marnewick

Rautenbach

Venter

et al. 2011

Journal of Ethnopharmacology

139

125

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…Although anecdotal evidence suggests that consumption of rooibos is generally regarded as safe, recently, two case studies have suggested the po-tential for herb-drug hepatotoxicity. In the first case [165], a 42year-old woman treated for a low-grade B-cell malignancy with rituximab and maintained on prednisolone and co-trimoxazole daily, presented with elevated liver enzymes. She was advised to stop drinking rooibos flavoured with small amounts of strawberry, chamomile, and petals of daisy and discontinue her prophylactic antibiotic (co-trimoxazole).…”

Section: Herb-drug Interactionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aspalathin from Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis): A Bioactive C-glucosyl Dihydrochalcone with Potential to Target the Metabolic Syndrome

et al. 2018

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Aspalathin is a C-glucosyl dihydrochalcone that is abundantly present in Aspalathus linearis. This endemic South African plant, belonging to the Cape Floristic region, is normally used for production of rooibos, a herbal tea. Aspalathin was valued initially only as precursor in the formation of the characteristic red-brown colour of “fermented” rooibos, but the hype about the potential role of natural antioxidants to alleviate oxidative stress, shifted interest in aspalathin to its antioxidant properties and subsequently, its potential role to improve metabolic syndrome, a disease condition interrelated with oxidative stress. The potential use of aspalathin or aspalathin-rich rooibos extracts as a condition-specific nutraceutical is hampered by the limited supply of green rooibos (i.e., “unfermented” plant material) and low levels in “fermented” rooibos, providing incentive for its synthesis. In vitro and in vivo studies relating to the metabolic activity of aspalathin are discussed and cellular mechanisms by which aspalathin improves glucose and lipid metabolism are proposed. Other aspects covered in this review, which are relevant in view of the potential use of aspalathin as an adjunctive therapy, include its poor stability and bioavailability, as well as potential adverse herb-drug interactions, in particular interference with the metabolism of certain commonly prescribed chronic medications for hyperglycaemia and dyslipidaemia.

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“…This observation from our study becomes all the more important, especially with recent cases of possible adverse hepatic effects of rooibos. Sinisalo et al (2010) reported a case of a 42-year-old patient diagnosed with a low grade B-cell malignancy, Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, six years earlier, who temporarily experienced elevated liver enzymes after consuming relatively large amount of rooibos. The study however re-affirms the excellent safety record of rooibos and concluded that contamination of the rooibos herbal tea by some hepatotoxic compound, genetic predisposition and/or diseased state of the patient may be responsible for the effect.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hepatic, renal and endogenous antioxidant status modulatory effects of chronic co-supplementation of rooibos (<i>Aspalathus linearis</i>) and red palm oil (<i>Elaeis guineensis</i>) in male Wistar rats

Ajuwon

Oguntibeju

Marnewick

2016

Afr. J. Trad. Compl. Alt. Med.

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Background: This study investigated the hepatic, renal and endogenous antioxidant status modulatory effects of chronic cosupplementation of rooibos and red palm oil (RPO) in male Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Rats were randomized into four groups (n=10/group) and fed daily either standard rat chow (SRC) and water (Group I), SRC and the aqueous rooibos extract (2% w/v; Group II), SRC and RPO (200 µL/day) with water (Group III), or SRC and RPO (200 µL/day) with rooibos (2% w/v; Group IV) for 22 weeks. Results: Chronic feeding of rooibos, RPO or their combination did not induce any adverse hepatic or renal effects, as shown by serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, alanine-and aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, albumin, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and uric acid. Histopathology analyses showed that liver from the three supplementation groups displayed normal hepatic histoarchitecture. Chronic feeding of RPO did not influence the redox status in the blood and liver significantly. Supplementation of rooibos alone for 22 weeks significantly (P<0.05) increased the reduced glutathione (GSH) level, GSH/GSSG ratio and catalase (CAT) activity in the liver. Co-supplementation of rooibos and RPO significantly (P<0.05) increased plasma total polyphenol content, trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), as well as blood GSH and GSH/GSSG ratio. Plasma conjugated dienes (CD) and hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were reduced significantly by the combination treatment, which also increased significantly the activity of CAT, glutathione reductase (GR), as well as the GSH/GSSG ratio in the liver. Conclusion: Our results suggest that chronic feeding of an aqueous fermented rooibos extract alone or in combination with RPO modulate the endogenous antioxidant system in rats. This modulation could be indicative of a threshold effect and/or an additive effect indicating a positive interaction between the bioactive components in the rooibos and RPO; however future studies are needed to elucidate the nature and specific mechanisms involved. Also, the health status of the individual/experimental animal should be considered before antioxidant supplementation, as it is suggested to affect the outcome.

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Possible hepatotoxic effect of rooibos tea: a case report

Abstract: International audienc

Cited by 26 publications

References 5 publications

Effects of rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) on oxidative stress and biochemical parameters in adults at risk for cardiovascular disease

Effects of rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) on oxidative stress and biochemical parameters in adults at risk for cardiovascular disease

Aspalathin from Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis): A Bioactive C-glucosyl Dihydrochalcone with Potential to Target the Metabolic Syndrome

Hepatic, renal and endogenous antioxidant status modulatory effects of chronic co-supplementation of rooibos (<i>Aspalathus linearis</i>) and red palm oil (<i>Elaeis guineensis</i>) in male Wistar rats

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