Pharmacological activity of Aspalathus linearis extracts: pre-clinical research in view of prospective neuroprotection

ABSTRACT

Objectives

Rooibos tea, a very popular everyday beverage made of Aspalathus linearis plant material and containing multiple polyphenolic compounds, reveals an expectation to positively affect various processes observed in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases as in the case of consumption of other polyphenol-abundant food products.

Methods

This review is based on available data from pre-clinical in vitro and in vivo studies and presents a broad report on the pharmacological activity of the A. linearis extracts relevant for neurodegenerative diseases.

Results

Flavonoids present in herbal infusions are absorbed from gastro-intestinal tract and may affect the central nervous system. The experimental investigations yield the results indicating to supporting role of A. linearis in the prevention of neurodegeneration, primarily owing to anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, anti-hyperglycaemic and anti-hyperlipidaemic effects as well as favourable impact on neurotransmission with following cognitive and behavioural after-math.

Discussion

The multiple pharmacological activities and safety of Aspalathus linearis extracts are commented in the manuscript. The continuous rooibos tea consumption seems to be safe (despite anecdotal liver irritation); however, there is a risk of herbal–drug interactions.

KEYWORDS:

• Aspalathus linearis
• neurodegeneration
• antioxidants
• polyphenols
• aspalathin
• brain
• neurotransmission
• rodents

Acknowledgements

The author declares no competing interests. This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. Project implemented with CePT infrastructure financed by the EU − the European Regional Development Fund within the Operational Programme ‘Innovative economy’ for 2007–2013.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Justyna Pyrzanowska

Justyna Pyrzanowska was born in Warsaw, Poland, in 1969. She received the M.D. degree as well as the Ph.D. and D.Sc. degrees (Pharmacology, Medical Science) from the Medical University of Warsaw, Poland, in 1993, 2010 and 2022 respectively. She is a specialist in Family Medicine (1999). In 2005, she joined the Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Warsaw, as a Lecturer, and in 2011 became an Assistant Professor. Her current research interests include experimental pharmacology in the area of neuroscience and focused on nutritional and herbal pharmacology, neurotoxicology, neurochemistry and behavioural pharmacology. Dr. Pyrzanowska is a fellow of the Polish Pharmacological Society; the Federation of European Pharmacological Societies (EPHAR); and the International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (IUPHAR).