RESUMEN

The novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, or COVID-19, has affected the world on a pandemic scale resulting in catastrophic outcomes and deaths. Currently, there is limited safety data specific to mRNA vaccine use in pregnant or lactating individuals and the potential risks to a pregnant individual and the fetus are unknown. We report an updated literature review of current information and evidence available to aid in the decision whether to vaccinate against COVID-19 currently being made by pregnant individuals and their healthcare providers so that they are able to make a well-informed recommendation and decision.

Asunto(s)

Vacunas contra la COVID-19/administración & dosificación , COVID-19/prevención & control , Complicaciones Infecciosas del Embarazo/prevención & control , Atención Prenatal , Vacunas de ARNm/administración & dosificación , Vacunas contra la COVID-19/efectos adversos , Femenino , Humanos , Embarazo , Vacunas de ARNm/efectos adversos

RESUMEN

The honeybush sensory wheel was revised, using a large sample set (n = 585) comprising of the major commercial Cyclopia species, i.e. C. intermedia, C. subternata and C. genistoides. Only positive and negative aroma attributes were included in the wheel. Chemicals were identified to serve as reference standards for the honeybush (Cyclopia spp.) lexicon. Similarly, chemical-based reference standards were identified for the rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) lexicon. From a comprehensive literature search and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses, chemicals were screened by an expert panel for their suitability in terms of typicality of the target aroma. Each chemical was evaluated in a 'base tea' and compared to a specific 'reference tea' exhibiting a high intensity of the target aroma. A total of 30 and 44 chemicals for rooibos and honeybush, respectively, were selected for validation by a trained panel. Descriptive sensory analysis was conducted to assign typicality and intensity scores for each chemical representing a target aroma attribute. Several chemicals were identified as suitable reference standards for the following aroma notes: isophorone ('rooibos-woody'), maltyl isobutyrate ('caramel'), cis-3-hexenol ('green grass'), 4-oxoisophorone ('seaweed') and 2,4,6-trichloroanisole ('musty/mouldy') for rooibos; and 2-acetyl-5-methylfuran ('woody'), levulinic acid ('fynbos-sweet'), maltyl isobutyrate ('caramel'), and 2-acetylpyrrole ('nutty') for honeybush.

Asunto(s)

Aspalathus/química , Odorantes/análisis , Adulto , Anciano , Bebidas/análisis , Femenino , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estándares de Referencia

RESUMEN

This study investigated the effects of feeding graded levels of sun-dried red grape pomace (GP; 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%) on growth, carcass and meat physico-chemical quality attributes of Dohne Merino lambs for 42 days. Dry matter intake increased quadratically with a critical value (i.e., optimum inclusion level) of 11.3% GP (P ≤ 0.05). Diet exhibited similar quadratic responses for average daily gain, live, hot and cold carcass weights with optimum inclusion levels at 9.6, 9.7, 12, 2 and 12.1, respectively (P ≤ 0.05). Overall, meat quality traits were not negatively affected by GP inclusion (P > .05). Gross profit was influenced by diet, with an optimum inclusion level at 12.2% (quadratic; P ≤ 0.05). Overall, inclusion of 12.2% GP in lamb finishing diets at the expense of oat bran and wheat bran middlings improved lamb productivity, without compromising meat quality.

Asunto(s)

Alimentación Animal/análisis , Carne Roja/análisis , Oveja Doméstica/crecimiento & desarrollo , Vitis , Alimentación Animal/economía , Fenómenos Fisiológicos Nutricionales de los Animales , Animales , Dieta/veterinaria , Masculino , Residuos Sólidos

RESUMEN

Metformin is the first line therapy of type 2 diabetics, but continued reduction of their life expectancy warrants further investigation into alternative treatment strategies. This study reports on the combinational use of metformin with aspalathin, a C-glucosyl dihydrochalcone with known glucose lowering and antioxidant properties, as an effective hypoglycemic therapy in a type 2 diabetic (db/db) mouse model. When tested as a monotherapy, a low dose of aspalathin (13 mg/kg) showed no effect, while a high dose (130 mg/kg) has already displayed a better potential than metformin in protecting against diabetes associated symptoms in db/db mice. Thus, it remains of interest to determine whether this dihydrochalcone can improve the efficacy of metformin. The results showed that this combination therapy was more effective than the use of metformin as a monotherapy in ameliorating diabetes associated symptoms, including abnormal raised fasting plasma glucose levels, impaired glucose tolerance, as well as excessively increased body weights and fat content. The treated mice also had reduced food and water consumption when compared to untreated controls, with a pronounced effect evident in the last week of treatment. Therefore, this study supports further investigations into the ameliorative effect of combination therapy of metformin and aspalathin against diabetes associated symptoms.

Asunto(s)

Aspalathus , Chalconas/administración & dosificación , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/tratamiento farmacológico , Hipoglucemiantes/administración & dosificación , Metformina/administración & dosificación , Animales , Chalconas/aislamiento & purificación , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/sangre , Sinergismo Farmacológico , Flavonoides/administración & dosificación , Flavonoides/aislamiento & purificación , Hipoglucemiantes/aislamiento & purificación , Masculino , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos C57BL , Ratones Transgénicos

RESUMEN

The genus Cyclopia, an indigenous South African fynbos plant used to prepare honeybush tea, contains phytoestrogenic compounds. An extract from C. subternata, SM6Met, displays three desirable estrogenic attributes for future development of a phytoestrogenic nutraceutical, namely, ERα antagonism, ERß agonism, and also antagonism of E2-induced breast cancer cell proliferation. Activity-guided fractionation of SM6Met was used in an attempt to isolate and identify compounds conferring the desirable estrogenic profile to SM6Met. Initial liquid-liquid fractionation of SM6Met yielded a polar fraction (PF) and a non-polar fraction (NPF), with the desirable estrogenic attributes retained in the NPF. Subsequent high performance counter-current chromatography (HPCCC) fractionation of the NPF yielded three fractions (F1-F3). Interestingly, the fractions revealed separation of the previously demonstrated positive estrogenic attributes of the NPF into separate fractions, with F1 and F2 acting as ERα antagonists, only F2 inducing antagonism of E2-induced breast cancer cell proliferation and only F3 retaining robust ERß agonist activity. In terms of major polyphenols, quantitative HPLC and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) indicated that HPCCC fractionation resulted in a divergence of polyphenolic classes, with F1 emerging as the dihydrochalcone-rich fraction and F2 as the flavanone- and benzophenone-rich fraction, while the xanthones, flavones and phenolic acids were retained in F3. F3 was re-engineered into F3R by reassembling the major polyphenols identified in the fraction. F3R could, however, not replicate the effect of F3. In conclusion, although activity-guided fractionation results suggest that retention of all the desirable estrogenic attributes of the original SM6Met in one fraction is not an attainable goal, fractionation is a useful tool to enhance specific desirable estrogenic attributes.

Asunto(s)

Fraccionamiento Químico/métodos , Fabaceae/química , Fitoestrógenos/aislamiento & purificación , Fitoestrógenos/farmacología , Proliferación Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Cromatografía Líquida de Alta Presión , Cromatografía Liquida , Suplementos Dietéticos , Evaluación Preclínica de Medicamentos , Estradiol/farmacología , Receptor alfa de Estrógeno/antagonistas & inhibidores , Receptor beta de Estrógeno/agonistas , Células HEK293 , Humanos , Células MCF-7 , Extractos Vegetales/aislamiento & purificación , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Espectrometría de Masas en Tándem

RESUMEN

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a disorder of the heart muscle that contributes to cardiovascular deaths in the diabetic population. Excessive generation of free radicals has been directly implicated in the pathogenesis of DCM. The use of antioxidants, through dietary supplementation, to combat increased cellular oxidative stress has gained popularity worldwide. Aspalathus linearis (rooibos) is a popular herbal tea that contains a novel antioxidant, aspalathin. Literature has reported on the antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging effects of rooibos. However, its protective effect against DCM has not been established. Therefore, this study investigated whether chronic exposure to an aqueous extract of fermented rooibos (FRE) has an ex vivo cardioprotective effect on hearts obtained from streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. Adult Wistar rats were injected with 40 mg/kg of STZ. Two weeks after STZ injection, cardiomyocytes were isolated and cultured. Cultured cardiomyocytes were treated with FRE (1 and 10 µg/ml), vitamin E (50 µg/ml), and n-acetyl cysteine (1mM) for 6h, before exposure to either hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or an ischemic solution. Cardiomyocytes exposed to H2O2 or an ischemic solution showed a decrease in metabolic activity and glutathione content with a concomitant increase in apoptosis and intracellular reactive oxygen species. Pretreatment with FRE was able to combat these effects and the observed amelioration was better than the known antioxidant vitamin E. This study provides evidence that an aqueous extract of fermented rooibos protects cardiomyocytes, derived from diabetic rats, against experimentally induced oxidative stress and ischemia.

Asunto(s)

Aspalathus , Cardiomiopatías Diabéticas/tratamiento farmacológico , Miocitos Cardíacos/efectos de los fármacos , Estrés Oxidativo/efectos de los fármacos , Extractos Vegetales/uso terapéutico , Animales , Apoptosis/efectos de los fármacos , Células Cultivadas , Evaluación Preclínica de Medicamentos , Fermentación , Glutatión/metabolismo , Masculino , Isquemia Miocárdica/tratamiento farmacológico , Miocitos Cardíacos/metabolismo , Fitoterapia , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Ratas , Ratas Wistar , Especies Reactivas de Oxígeno/análisis

RESUMEN

A nested analysis of variance combined with simultaneous component analysis, ASCA, was proposed to model high-dimensional chromatographic data. The data were obtained from an experiment designed to investigate the effect of production season, quality grade and post-production processing (steam pasteurization) on the phenolic content of the infusion of the popular herbal tea, rooibos, at 'cup-of-tea' strength. Specifically, a four-way analysis of variance where the experimental design involves nesting in two of the three crossed factors was considered. For the purpose of the study, batches of fermented rooibos plant material were sampled from each of four quality grades during three production seasons (2009, 2010 and 2011) and a sub-sample of each batch was steam-pasteurized. The phenolic content of each rooibos infusion was characterized by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-diode array detection (DAD). In contrast to previous studies, the complete HPLC-DAD signals were used in the chemometric analysis in order to take into account the entire phenolic profile. All factors had a significant effect on the phenolic content of a 'cup-of-tea' strength rooibos infusion. In particular, infusions prepared from the grade A (highest quality) samples contained a higher content of almost all phenolic compounds than the lower quality plant material. The variations of the content of isoorientin and orientin in the different quality grade infusions over production seasons are larger than the variations in the content of aspalathin and quercetin-3-O-robinobioside. Ferulic acid can be used as an indicator of the quality of rooibos tea as its content generally decreases with increasing tea quality. Steam pasteurization decreased the content of the majority of phenolic compounds in a 'cup-of-tea' strength rooibos infusion.

Asunto(s)

Aspalathus/química , Bebidas/análisis , Chalconas/análisis , Ácidos Cumáricos/análisis , Flavonoides/análisis , Glucósidos/análisis , Fenoles/análisis , Hojas de la Planta/química , Análisis de Varianza , Cromatografía Líquida de Alta Presión , Fermentación , Pasteurización , Análisis de Componente Principal , Estaciones del Año , Vapor

RESUMEN

Increased levels of free fatty acids (FFAs), specifically saturated free fatty acids such as palmitate are associated with insulin resistance of muscle, fat and liver. Skeletal muscle, responsible for up to 80% of the glucose disposal from the peripheral circulation, is particularly vulnerable to increased levels of saturated FFAs. Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) and its unique dihydrochalcone C-glucoside, aspalathin, shown to reduce hyperglycemia in diabetic rats, could play a role in preventing or ameliorating the development of insulin resistance. This study aims to establish whether rooibos can ameliorate experimentally-induced insulin-resistance in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells. Palmitate-induced insulin resistant C2C12 cells were treated with an aspalathin-enriched green (unfermented) rooibos extract (GRE), previously shown for its blood glucose lowering effect in vitro and in vivo or an aqueous extract of fermented rooibos (FRE). Glucose uptake and mitochondrial activity were measured using 2-deoxy-[³H]-D-glucose, MTT and ATP assays, respectively. Expression of proteins relevant to glucose metabolism was analysed by Western blot. GRE contained higher levels of all compounds, except the enolic phenylpyruvic acid-2-O-glucoside and luteolin-7-O-glucoside. Both rooibos extracts increased glucose uptake, mitochondrial activity and ATP production. Compared to FRE, GRE was more effective at increasing glucose uptake and ATP production. At a mechanistic level both extracts down-regulated PKC θ activation, which is associated with palmitate-induced insulin resistance. Furthermore, the extracts increased activation of key regulatory proteins (AKT and AMPK) involved in insulin-dependent and non-insulin regulated signalling pathways. Protein levels of the glucose transporter (GLUT4) involved in glucose transport via these two pathways were also increased. This in vitro study therefore confirms that rooibos can ameliorate palmitate-induced insulin resistance in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells. Inhibition of PKC θ activation and increased activation of AMPK and AKT offer a plausible mechanistic explanation for this ameliorative effect.

Asunto(s)

Aspalathus , Resistencia a la Insulina/fisiología , Músculo Esquelético/citología , Músculo Esquelético/efectos de los fármacos , Ácido Palmítico/uso terapéutico , Fitoterapia , Extractos Vegetales/uso terapéutico , Animales , Aspalathus/química , Línea Celular , Hiperinsulinismo/inducido químicamente , Hiperinsulinismo/tratamiento farmacológico , Ratones , Músculo Esquelético/enzimología , Ácido Palmítico/farmacología , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología

RESUMEN

Rooibos, an endemic South African plant, known for its use as herbal tea, has potential as an antidiabetic herbal product, following recent demonstration of the glucose lowering effect of its major flavonoid, the dihydrochalcone C-glucoside aspalathin. The purpose of this study was to confirm antidiabetic activity for rooibos extract high in aspalathin content. An extract (SB1) was selected after screening for high aspalathin content and α-glucosidase inhibition activity. On-line HPLC-biochemical detection confirmed α-glucosidase inhibitory activity for aspalathin. In vitro the extract induced a dose response increase in glucose uptake (5 × 10⁻5 to 5 µg/ml) on C2C12 myotubules. Aspalathin was effective at 1, 10 and 100 µM, while rutin was effective at 100 µM. In the Chang cells only the extract was effective. In vivo the extract sustained a glucose lowering effect comparable to metformin over a 6h period after administration (25mg/kg body weight (BW)) to STZ-induced diabetic rats. In an oral glucose tolerance test the extract (30 mg/kg BW) was more effective than vildagliptin (10mg/kg BW), a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor. An aspalathin-rutin mixture (1:1; m/m) dosed at 1.4 mg/kg BW, but not the single compounds separately, reduced blood glucose concentrations of STZ-induced diabetic rats over a 6h monitoring period. The improved hypoglycemic activity of the aspalathin-rutin mixture and the extract illustrated synergistic interactions of polyphenols in complex mixtures.

Asunto(s)

Aspalathus/química , Glucemia/metabolismo , Chalconas/uso terapéutico , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/tratamiento farmacológico , Hipoglucemiantes/uso terapéutico , Fitoterapia , Extractos Vegetales/uso terapéutico , Adamantano/análogos & derivados , Adamantano/farmacología , Animales , Línea Celular , Chalconas/farmacología , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/sangre , Inhibidores de la Dipeptidil-Peptidasa IV/farmacología , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Sinergismo Farmacológico , Prueba de Tolerancia a la Glucosa , Inhibidores de Glicósido Hidrolasas , Hipoglucemiantes/farmacología , Masculino , Nitrilos/farmacología , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Pirrolidinas/farmacología , Ratas , Ratas Wistar , Rutina/farmacología , Rutina/uso terapéutico , Vildagliptina

RESUMEN

Athrixia phylicoides DC. is an aromatic shrub indigenous to the eastern parts of Southern Africa. Indigenous communities brew "bush tea" from dried twigs and leaves of A. phylicoides, which is consumed as a beverage and used for its medicinal properties. Plant polyphenols have been shown to be beneficial to Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and obesity. Aqueous extracts of the plant have been shown to be rich in polyphenols, in particular phenolic acids, which may enhance glucose uptake and metabolism. The aim of this study was to determine the phenolic composition of a hot water A. phylicoides extract and assess its in vitro effect on cellular glucose utilisation. The most abundant phenolic compounds in the extract were 6-hydroxyluteolin-7-O-glucoside, chlorogenic acid, protocatechuic acid, a di-caffeoylquinic acid and a methoxy-flavonol derivative. The extract increased glucose uptake in C2C12, Chang and 3T3-L1 cells, respectively. Intracellular glucose was utilised by both oxidation (C2C12 myocytes and Chang cells; p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively) and by increased glycogen storage (Chang cells; p < 0.05). No cytotoxicity was observed in Chang cells at the concentrations tested. The effects of the extract were not dose-dependent. A. phylicoides aqueous extract stimulated in vitro glucose uptake and metabolism, suggesting that consumption of this phenolic-rich extract could potentially ameliorate metabolic disorders related to obesity and T2D.

Asunto(s)

Asteraceae/química , Glucosa/metabolismo , Extractos Vegetales/química , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Células 3T3-L1/efectos de los fármacos , África Austral , Animales , Ácido Clorogénico/análisis , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Evaluación Preclínica de Medicamentos , Glucosa/farmacocinética , Glucógeno/metabolismo , Hidroxibenzoatos/análisis , Luteolina/análisis , Ratones , Fenoles/análisis , Fenoles/química , Plantas Medicinales/química , Ácido Quínico/análogos & derivados

RESUMEN

Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis (Brum.f) Dahlg.) and honeybush (Cyclopia Vent. species) are popular indigenous South African herbal teas enjoyed for their taste and aroma. Traditional medicinal uses of rooibos in South Africa include alleviation of infantile colic, allergies, asthma and dermatological problems, while a decoction of honeybush was used as a restorative and as an expectorant in chronic catarrh and pulmonary tuberculosis. Traditional medicinal uses of Athrixia phylicoides DC., or bush tea, another indigenous South African plant with very limited localised use as herbal tea, include treatment of boils, acne, infected wounds and infected throats. Currently rooibos and honeybush are produced for the herbal tea market, while bush tea has potential for commercialisation. A summary of the historical and modern uses, botany, distribution, industry and chemical composition of these herbal teas is presented. A comprehensive discussion of in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo biological properties, required to expand their applications as nutraceutical and cosmeceutical products, is included, with the main emphasis on rooibos. Future research needs include more comprehensive chemical characterisation of extracts, identification of marker compounds for extract standardisation and quality control, bioavailability and identification of bio-markers of dietary exposure, investigation of possible herb-drug interactions and plant improvement with regards to composition and bioactivity.

Asunto(s)

Aspalathus/química , Asteraceae/química , Fabaceae/química , Plantas Medicinales/química , Agricultura , Animales , Asteraceae/clasificación , Etnobotánica , Fabaceae/clasificación , Geografía , Historia del Siglo XX , Humanos , Fitoterapia/historia , Extractos Vegetales/uso terapéutico , Plantas Medicinales/efectos adversos , Plantas Medicinales/toxicidad , Sudáfrica

RESUMEN

1. Birds have been proposed as a suitable model for studies on ageing because of their long life in comparison with similar-sized mammals. However, some weak fliers, such as Galliformes, are the exception to this rule. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of the treatment with rooibos tea (Aspalathus linearis), a natural source of flavonoid antioxidants and compounds with phyto-oestrogenic activity, on postnatal development and egg production of aged Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). 2. Substitution of drinking water with traditional rooibos tea or diet supplementation with ground rooibos tea affected body weight of Japanese quail up to 100 d of age. The body weight of males drinking rooibos tea or eating rooibos-supplemented food decreased significantly. There was a trend toward increased body weight of tea drinking females and a significant increase in the body weight of hens fed the rooibos-supplemented diet. Although rooibos treatment did not significantly increase egg production in young hens, the decrease in egg production of rooibos-treated aged hens (360 d of age) was significantly reduced, regardless of the egg production levels (high - 80%; low - 20%) before the treatment. 3. The results suggest that treatment with rooibos tea positively affected body weight and egg production in quail hens and prolonged the productive period of aged animals. Further studies would be needed to address the question whether these effects are due to the antioxidant or phyto-oestrogenic activities of rooibos.

Asunto(s)

Envejecimiento , Aspalathus/química , Coturnix/fisiología , Oviposición/efectos de los fármacos , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Alimentación Animal/análisis , Fenómenos Fisiológicos Nutricionales de los Animales , Animales , Coturnix/sangre , Dieta , Ingestión de Líquidos , Femenino , Masculino , Extractos Vegetales/química , Aumento de Peso/efectos de los fármacos

Asunto(s)

Aspalathus/química , Coturnix/crecimiento & desarrollo , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Animales , Coturnix/metabolismo , Óvulo , Té

RESUMEN

Athrixia phylicoides is an aromatic, indigenous shrub used to brew "bush tea." Surveys have shown that the consumption of bush tea is widespread and commercialization of the extract holds economic and developmental potential. Aqueous extracts of A. phylicoides are non-toxic to brine shrimp and renal cell lines; however, verification in a mammalian model is needed. In this study, daily ingestion of high doses of aqueous A. phylicoides extract by mature Wistar rats was tested for potential toxicity over a 3-month period. Three-month-old Wistar rats were randomized into a control group (receiving no extract) and three experimental groups receiving 30, 90, or 180 mg dried aqueous A. phylicoides extract/kg body mass/day. After 90 days of daily extract ingestion, blood and tissue were harvested. There was no morbidity or mortality during the study. Food and water intake, as well as body mass and stool production, were unaffected by the consumption of the extract. Urine production was increased in the 90 and 180 mg/kg groups suggesting that A. phylicoides is mildly diuretic. Serum alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, and urea levels were normal for all groups. Histopathology showed no signs of any extract induced toxicity in the liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and other tissues studied.

Asunto(s)

Asteraceae/toxicidad , Animales , Conducta Animal/efectos de los fármacos , Análisis Químico de la Sangre , Peso Corporal/efectos de los fármacos , Femenino , Masculino , Metabolismo/efectos de los fármacos , Extractos Vegetales/toxicidad , Hojas de la Planta/química , Tallos de la Planta/química , Ratas , Ratas Wistar , Agua

RESUMEN

Antimutagenic activity of aqueous extracts of the South African herbal teas, Aspalathus linearis (rooibos) and Cyclopia spp. (honeybush) was compared with that of Camellia sinensis (black, oolong and green) teas in the Salmonella mutagenicity assay using aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)) and 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) as mutagens. The present study presents the first investigation on antimutagenic properties of C. subternata, C. genistoides and C. sessiliflora. The herbal teas demonstrated protection against both mutagens in the presence of metabolic activation, with the exception of "unfermented" (green/unoxidised) C. genistoides against 2-AAF, which either protected or enhanced mutagenesis depending on the concentration. Antimutagenic activity of "fermented" (oxidised) rooibos was significantly (P<0.05) less than that of Camellia sinensis teas against AFB(1), while for 2-AAF it was less (P<0.05) than that of black tea and similar (P>0.05) to that of oolong and green teas. Antimutagenic activity of unfermented C. intermedia and C. subternata exhibited a similar protection as fermented rooibos against AFB(1). Against 2-AAF, fermented rooibos exhibited similar protective properties than unfermented C. intermedia and C. sessiliflora. Unfermented rooibos was less effective than the C. sinensis teas and fermented rooibos, but had similar (P>0.05) antimutagenicity to that of fermented C. sessiliflora against AFB(1) and fermented C. subternata against 2-AAF. Fermented C. intermedia and C. genistoides exhibited the lowest protective effect against 2-AAF, while fermented C. intermedia exhibited the lowest protection when utilising AFB(1) as mutagen. Aspalathin and mangiferin, major polyphenols in rooibos and Cyclopia spp., respectively, exhibited weak to moderate protective effects when compared to the major green tea catechin, (-)epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Antimutagenic activity of selected herbal tea phenolic compounds indicated that they contribute towards (i) observed antimutagenic activity of the aqueous extracts against both mutagens and (ii) enhancement of the mutagenicity of 2-AAF by unfermented C. genistoides. Antimutagenic activity of the South African herbal teas was mutagen-specific, affected by fermentation and plant material, presumably due to changes and variation in phenolic composition.

Asunto(s)

Antimutagênicos/farmacología , Aspalathus/química , Camellia sinensis/química , Fabaceae/química , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , 2-Acetilaminofluoreno/toxicidad , Aflatoxina B1/toxicidad , Flavonoides/toxicidad , Mutagénesis/efectos de los fármacos , Pruebas de Mutagenicidad , Mutágenos/toxicidad , Fenoles/toxicidad , Polifenoles , Salmonella typhimurium/efectos de los fármacos , Salmonella typhimurium/genética

RESUMEN

The aim of the study was to determine whether physicians in a private sector setting verbally abuse nurses, and to what extent. A review of the literature showed that verbal abuse by physicians accounts for the highest incidence of aggression towards nurses in health care, and that it is strongly related to turnover rates. It has also been reported in recent studies that within the context of verbally abusive episodes, patient care, work productivity, morale and job satisfaction have been negatively affected. Of the 120 questionnaires that were distributed among registered and enrolled nurses, 83 were returned in time to be used, which was a response rate of 69%. This response rate is consistent with previous studies and is exactly the same as for a study that was done in Turkey (Uzun, 2003:81). The questionnaire used was one that has been adapted from the Verbal Abuse Scale developed by Manderino and Berkey (1997:50) and the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS 2) as described by Little (1999:24), and was in the form of a 4-point Likert-scale with one open ended question. The results showed that 79% of the nurses admitted that verbal abuse was taking place. Forms of direct verbal abuse included 81% that felt they were criticised unjustly, 76% that were screamed at in front of others, and 81% that felt physicians vented their frustration on them. The results obtained in the study were consistent with previous studies done elsewhere and it indicated that nurses still experience high levels of verbal abuse in the workplace.

Asunto(s)

Actitud del Personal de Salud , Hospitales Privados , Hostilidad , Personal de Enfermería en Hospital/psicología , Relaciones Médico-Enfermero , Conducta Verbal , Adulto , Ira , Agotamiento Profesional/psicología , Femenino , Frustación , Hospitales Privados/organización & administración , Humanos , Satisfacción en el Trabajo , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Moral , Investigación Metodológica en Enfermería , Personal de Enfermería en Hospital/organización & administración , Salud Laboral , Cultura Organizacional , Reorganización del Personal , Factores Sexuales , Conducta Social , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Turquía , Lugar de Trabajo/organización & administración , Lugar de Trabajo/psicología

RESUMEN

AIM: The aim was to evaluate commercially available South African high-moisture dried fruits (HMDF) for the microbial, moisture and SO2 contents, as well as aw and pH. METHODS AND RESULTS: The microbial content of commercially available HMDF was evaluated using nine different growth media. The moisture content, aw) SO2 and pH of each product were determined using standard analytical methods. It was found that the highest total aerobic counts were generated from high-moisture dried (HMD) prunes and raisins. The most frequent spoilers were members of the genus Bacillus. Fungal counts were also very high in the apricot products, exceeding the limit of 1000 CFU g(-1) as set by HMDF producers. Members of the genus Staphylococcus were found in the HMD raisins and Salmonella and thermoduric organisms were isolated from the HMD prunes. CONCLUSIONS: The microbial levels of South African HMDF were within the limits set, with the exception of apricots. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY: The study shows the presence of Salmonella, Staphylococcus and Clostridium in South African HMDF. The presence of thermoduric organisms indicated that the current pasteurization process is not adequate and that the addition of preservatives would be an additional method to ensure safety and quality.

Asunto(s)

Bacterias/aislamiento & purificación , Contaminación de Alimentos , Microbiología de Alimentos , Conservación de Alimentos , Frutas , Hongos/aislamiento & purificación , Bacillus/aislamiento & purificación , Clostridium/aislamiento & purificación , Concentración de Iones de Hidrógeno , Salmonella/aislamiento & purificación , Ácido Sórbico/análisis , Sudáfrica , Staphylococcus/aislamiento & purificación , Dióxido de Azufre/análisis , Factores de Tiempo

RESUMEN

NIR-FT-Raman spectroscopy was used for identification and quantification of harpagoside in secondary roots of Harpagophytum procumbens as well as in related phytopharmaceutical products, e.g., ethanolic extracts and tablets. Applied Raman mappings reveal the spatial distribution of this valuable iridoid glycoside within the different samples. The same technique can be used for quality control purposes beginning from the plant to its final products. Based on the obtained spectral data and reference HPLC values of harpagoside, a reliable multivariate calibration model was developed.

Asunto(s)

Glicósidos/química , Harpagophytum/química , Fitoterapia , Extractos Vegetales/química , Piranos/química , Comprimidos , Calibración , Glicósidos/aislamiento & purificación , Extractos Vegetales/aislamiento & purificación , Raíces de Plantas/química , Piranos/aislamiento & purificación , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Espectroscopía Infrarroja por Transformada de Fourier , Espectrometría Raman

RESUMEN

Male Fischer rats were given unprocessed (not oxidized) and processed (oxidized) rooibos and honeybush teas as well as green and black teas as a sole source of drinking fluid for 10 weeks, and sub cellular liver fractions were prepared. Cytosolic fractions of rats consuming the unprocessed herbal teas, green and black teas significantly (P < 0.05) protected against 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF)-induced mutagenesis in the Salmonella mutagenicity test with strain TA 98, using Aroclor 1254-induced microsomes. A marginal or no protection was obtained with the processed herbal teas. The mutagenic response of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) against Salmonella strain TA 100 was significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited by cytosolic fractions from rats treated with processed and unprocessed herbal teas, while no effect was obtained with the green and black teas. Microsomal fractions prepared from livers of rats treated with both the processed and unprocessed rooibos teas and the unprocessed honeybush tea, significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the activation of AFB1 while no protection was observed against 2-AAF-induced mutagenesis. In contrast, microsomal fractions from rats treated with the green, black and unprocessed honeybush teas significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced the mutagenic response of 2-AAF. None of the tea treatments significantly affected the concentration of the microsomal liver cytochrome P450.

Asunto(s)

Antimutagênicos/farmacología , Hígado/efectos de los fármacos , Mutágenos/toxicidad , Fracciones Subcelulares/efectos de los fármacos , Té , Animales , Hígado/ultraestructura , Masculino , Ratas , Ratas Endogámicas F344 , Té/clasificación

Asunto(s)

Andrógenos/uso terapéutico , Insulina/farmacología , Leptina/sangre , Testosterona/sangre , Glucemia/análisis , Presión Sanguínea , Constitución Corporal , Índice de Masa Corporal , Dihidrotestosterona/uso terapéutico , Método Doble Ciego , Ayuno , Homeostasis , Humanos , Insulina/sangre , Resistencia a la Insulina , Lípidos/sangre , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Placebos , Testosterona/uso terapéutico