The Neuroprotective Effect of Rooibos Herbal Tea Against Alzheimer's Disease: A Review.

The world is experiencing a demographic shift toward an increasing proportion of elderly persons. Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurological disorders are far more likely to develop as people age. AD is a gradual, irreversible, and degenerative brain disorder that progressively deteriorates memory and cognitive function, eventually leading to death.

Green synthesis of metal nanocarriers: A perspective for targeting glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma, the most aggressive brain cancer, is challenging to treat owing to the difficulty of crossing the blood-brain barrier, high recurrence rates and significant mortality. This review highlights the potential of green synthesis methods in developing metal nanoparticles (MNPs) as a sustainable solution for drug delivery systems targeting glioblastoma. We explore the unique properties and modes of action of MNPs synthesised through eco-friendly processes by focusing on their bioavailability and precision in brain targeting, and discuss the potential of MNPs to target glioblastoma at the molecular level.

Impact of Chronic Consumption of Herbal Rooibos on Cardiovascular Function in Adults with Cardiovascular Risk.

The prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has increased in South Africa, emphasizing the importance of prevention strategies. This study used echocardiography to investigate the impact of Rooibos on cardiovascular function in those at risk of CVD. This research aims to contribute to understanding its effects on reducing cardiovascular risk factors.

Detecting the most critical clinical variables of COVID-19 breakthrough infection in vaccinated persons using machine learning.

Background: COVID-19 vaccines offer different levels of immune protection but do not provide 100% protection. Vaccinated persons with pre-existing comorbidities may be at an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection or reinfection. The aim of this study is to identify the critical variables associated with a higher probability of SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection using machine learning.

Early Chronic Stress Induced Changes within the Locus Coeruleus in Sporadic Alzheimer's Disease.

Chronic exposure to stress throughout the lifespan has been the focus of many studies on Alzheimer's disease (AD) because of the similarities between the biological mechanisms involved in chronic stress and the pathophysiology of AD. In fact, the earliest abnormality associated with the disease is the presence of phosphorylated tau protein in locus coeruleus neurons, a brain structure highly responsive to stress and perceived threat. Here, we introduce allostatic load as a useful concept for understanding many of the complex, interacting neuropathological changes involved in the AD degenerative process.

Sarcopenia in a type 2 diabetic state: Reviewing literature on the pathological consequences of oxidative stress and inflammation beyond the neutralizing effect of intracellular antioxidants.

Sarcopenia remains one of the major pathological features of type 2 diabetes (T2D), especially in older individuals. This condition describes gradual loss of muscle mass, strength, and function that reduces the overall vitality and fitness, leading to increased hospitalizations and even fatalities to those affected. Preclinical evidence indicates that dysregulated mitochondrial dynamics, together with impaired activity of the NADPH oxidase system, are the major sources of oxidative stress that drive skeletal muscle damage in T2D.

Bioactive Properties, Bioavailability Profiles, and Clinical Evidence of the Potential Benefits of Black Pepper () and Red Pepper () against Diverse Metabolic Complications.

The consumption of food-derived products, including the regular intake of pepper, is increasingly evaluated for its potential benefits in protecting against diverse metabolic complications. The current study made use of prominent electronic databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus to retrieve clinical evidence linking the intake of black and red pepper with the amelioration of metabolic complications. The findings summarize evidence supporting the beneficial effects of black pepper ( L.

Potential Benefits of Coffee Consumption on Improving Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Healthy Individuals and Those at Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Disease.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are considered the predominant cause of death globally. An abnormal increase in biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation are consistently linked with the development and even progression of metabolic diseases, including enhanced CVD risk. Coffee is considered one of the most consumed beverages in the world, while reviewed evidence regarding its capacity to modulate biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation remains limited.

The effects of tea polyphenols on emotional homeostasis: Understanding dementia risk through stress, mood, attention & sleep.

Decades of research provide evidence that certain phytochemicals in tea (Camellia sinensis) and other herbal beverages are protective against the development of sporadic types of dementia in later life. Since tea drinking is an economical and widely adopted social-cultural practice across all age groups, it is an ideal product to target in designing low-cost dietary interventions for Alzheimer's Disease (AD), the most prevalent form of dementia. In this review, we focus on the protective roles of tea-derived polyphenols and other phytochemicals on mood, the stress response, attention, and sleep, in keeping with the perspective that many early neuropathological events in AD may stem, in part, from allostatic overload.

Methoxylated Flavonols and -Kaurane Diterpenes from the South African and Their Cosmetic Potential.

Chromatographic fractionation of a methanol extract of afforded seven known compounds. The isolated compounds were identified as 5,7,8-trihydroxy-3,6-dimethoxyflavone-8--2-methyl-2-butanoate (C-), 5,7-dihydroxy-3,6,8-trimethoxyflavone (C-), 5-hydroxy-3,6,7,8-tetramethoxyflavone (C-), 5-hydroxy-3,6,7-trimethoxyflavone (C-), -kaurenoic acid (C-), -kauran-18-al (C-), and 15-α-hydroxy-(-)--kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (C-). Compounds C--C- demonstrated high antioxidant capacities on ORAC hydroxyl radical (2.

The impact of chronic stress on intracellular redox balance: A systems level analysis.

Chronic psychosocial stress is implicated in the onset and progression of noncommunicable diseases, and mechanisms underlying this relationship include alterations to the intracellular redox state. However, such changes are often investigated in isolation, with few studies adopting a system level approach. Here, male Wistar rats were exposed to 9.

Fumonisin B disrupts mitochondrial function in oxidatively poised HepG2 liver cells by disrupting oxidative phosphorylation complexes and potential participation of lincRNA-p21.

Fumonisin B (FB) is etiologically linked to cancer, yet the underlying mechanisms remain largely unclear. It is also not known if mitochondrial dysfunction is involved as a contributor to FB-induced metabolic toxicity. This study investigated the effects of FB on mitochondrial toxicity and its implications in cultured human liver (HepG2) cells.

Phytochemical Investigation and Biological Studies on Selected Species.

is the more recent name for the genus , which contains over 250 individual species of flowering plants in the family . Several species are used in folk medicine and have been reported to exhibit various biological activities. Although known to exhibit different terpenoids and flavonoids, the chemistry of the genus is not comprehensively studied due to the structural complexity of the compounds.

Chemical Study and Comparison of the Biological Activities of the Essential Oils of , , and .

species are prominent South African medicinal plants. From the essential oils (EOs) of three species, . , .

Red Palm Oil Ameliorates Oxidative Challenge and Inflammatory Responses Associated with Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Hepatic Injury by Modulating NF-κβ and Nrf2/GCL/HO-1 Signaling Pathways in Rats.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a well-conserved cell wall component of Gram positive bacteria, exerts its toxic effects via inducing oxidative and pro-inflammatory responses. Red palm oil (RPO) is a unique natural product with a balanced ratio of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, with reported antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we assess the protective effect and mechanistic action of RPO using a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced hepatic injury model.

Effect of dietary n-3 fatty acid and rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) supplementation on semen quality, sperm fatty acids and reproductive performance of aged male broiler breeders.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of dietary fish oil (FO) and rooibos supplementation on semen quality, fatty acids composition and reproductive performance of aged male broiler breeders. Seventy-two 47-week-old Ross broiler breeder roosters were randomly assigned to a 2 × 3 factorial arrangements to include two FO concentrations (0% and 2%) and 3 rooibos concentrations (0%, 1.5% and 3%) for 13 weeks consecutive.

Alpha-Glucosidase and Alpha-Amylase Inhibitory Activities, Molecular Docking, and Antioxidant Capacities of Constituents.

Shortage in insulin secretion or degradation of produced insulin is the principal characteristic of the metabolic disorder of diabetes mellitus (DM). However, because the current medications for the treatment of DM have many detrimental side effects, it is necessary to develop more effective antidiabetic drugs with minimal side effects. Alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase inhibitors are directly implicated in the delay of carbohydrate digestion.

Cytotoxic Effects of Phytomediated Silver and Gold Nanoparticles Synthesised from Rooibos ), and Aspalathin.

The green chemistry approach has continuously been applied for the synthesis of functional nanomaterials to reduce waste, environmental hazards, and the use of toxic chemicals among other reasons. Bioactive natural compounds have been found great potential in this regard and are used to improve the stability, activity, and biodistribution of metal nanoparticles (MNPs). Aspalathin (ASP) from (rooibos) has a well-defined pharmacological profile and functional groups capable of both reducing and capping agents in the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles (NP).

Protective Effects of Linearthin and Other Chalcone Derivatives from (Rooibos) against UVB Induced Oxidative Stress and Toxicity in Human Skin Cells.

Skin cells suffer continuous damage from chronic exposure to ultraviolet light (UV) that may result in UV-induced oxidative stress and skin thinning. This has necessitated the formulation of cosmeceutical products rich in natural antioxidants and free radical scavengers. (rooibos) is an endemic South African fynbos plant growing naturally in the Western Cape region.

Rooibos, a supportive role to play during the COVID-19 pandemic?

This article presents the potential health benefits of Rooibos to be considered a support during the COVID-19 pandemic. The recent pandemic of COVID-19 has led to severe morbidity and mortality. The highly infectious SARS-CoV-2 is known to prime a cytokine storm in patients and progression to acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Chemical Composition and Cosmeceutical Potential of the Essential Oil of (L.) Källersjö.

The South African medicinal plant (L.) Källersjö is an important remedy used to treat chronic, respiratory, and skin ailments. From the essential oil (EO) extracted by the hydrodistillation, sixteen constituent components were identified with oxygenated monoterpenes: camphor (31.

Antimycobacterial, Cytotoxic, and Antioxidant Activities of Abietane Diterpenoids Isolated from .

Medicinal plants of the genus (Lamiaceae) are well known for their ethnomedicinal applications. , which is native to South Africa, is traditionally used in the treatment of respiratory conditions, scabies, and cutaneous wounds. The phytochemical studies of led to the isolation of five known royleanone abietanes, namely, 6β,7α-dihydroxyroyleanone (), 7α-acetoxy-6β-hydroxyroyleanone (), horminone (), coleon U quinone (), and carnosolon ().

Alpha-Glucosidase and Alpha-Amylase Inhibitory Activities, Molecular Docking, and Antioxidant Capacities of Constituents.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most dangerous metabolic diseases with a high rate of mortality worldwide. It is well known that insulin resistance and deficiency in insulin production from pancreatic β-cells are the main characteristics of DM. Due to the detrimental side effects of the current treatment, there is a considerable need to develop new effective antidiabetic drugs, especially alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase inhibitors with lesser adverse effects.

Biosynthesis, Characterization, and Biological Activities of Procyanidin Capped Silver Nanoparticles.

In this study, procyanidin dimers and total extract (LSTE) were employed in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and characterized by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Visible) spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) techniques. AgNPs of about 2-7 nm were obtained. DLS and stability evaluations confirmed that the AgNPs/procyanidins conjugates were stable.