Rooibos activity

Gilani AH, Khan AU, Ghayur MN, Ali SF, Herzig JW. 2006. Antispasmodic effects of Rooibos tea (Aspalathus linearis) is mediated predominantly through K + -channel activation. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 99 365-373. 

Rooibos and Honeybush Recent Advances in Chemistry, Biological Activity and Pharmacognosy... 

Japanese and South African researchers were the first to scientifically investigate the possible health promoting properties of rooibos which led to publications reporting on various biological activities (31-37). A few studies regarding the in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo biological activities of honeybush has been published by mainly South African researchers and are mostly limited to the exported species, Cyclopia intermedia. These studies will be discussed. 

The use of natural antioxidants in supplements can also exhibit pro-oxidant activity under certain conditions such as the concentration and nature of the polyphenolic compounds causing oxidative damage to important cellular components (48). Aqueous extracts and erode polyphenolic fractions of both traditional and green rooibos were evaluated for possible pro-oxidant activity using a Fenton reaction model system containing FeCb-EDTA and H2O2 for the generation of hydroxyl radicals. Pro-oxidant activity was shown for pure aspalathin while the dihydrochalcone and flavonoid contents of the enriched... 

When comparing the antioxidant potencies of both the traditional/fermented and green/unfermented rooibos and honeybush, evidence is difficult to select for the best one, since the activity is highly dependent on the assay used, the nature of the raw material, and type of samples (aqueous extracts, enriched-extracts or solvent extracts) used. 

Nakano, M. Anti-HIV Activity of Alkaline Extracts of Rooibos Tea Leaves. Aromatopia. 1997,24, 28-30. 

Snijman PW, Swanevelder SJ, Joubert E, Green IR, Gelderblom WCA (2007) The antimutagenic activity of the major flavonoids of rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) some dose-response effects on mutagen activation-flavonoid interactions. Mutat Res 631 111... 

Van DerMerwe J.D., Joubert E., Manley M., De Beer D., Malherbe C.J., Gelderblom W.C.A. In vitro hepatic biotransformation of aspalathin and nothofagin, dUiydrochalcones of rooibos (Aspalathus linearis), and assessment of metabolite antioxidant activity. Journal of Agricultural and food Chemistry, 58 2214-2220 (2010). 

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