title: Rooibos influences glucocorticoid levels and steroid ratios in vivo and in vitro: a natural approach in the management of stress and metabolic disorders?
abstract: METHODS
  To determine the effect of Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) on glucocorticoid biosynthesis and inactivation in vivo and in vitro.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) analyses of in vivo studies showed that human Rooibos consumption increased cortisone plasma levels in males (p = 0.0465) and reduced cortisol:cortisone ratios in males and females (p = 0.0486) at risk for cardiovascular disease. In rats, corticosterone (CORT) (p = 0.0275) and deoxycorticosterone (p = 0.0298) levels as well as the CORT:testosterone ratio (p = 0.0009) decreased following Rooibos consumption. The inactivation of cortisol was investigated in vitro by expressing 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11βHSD1) and type 2 (11βHSD2) in CHO-K1 cells. Rooibos inhibited 11βHSD1, which resulted in a significant reduction in the cortisol:cortisone ratio (p < 0.01). No significant effect was detected on 11βHSD2. In vitro studies in adrenal H295R cells showed that Rooibos and rutin, one of the more stable flavonoid compounds present in Rooibos, significantly reduced the levels of cortisol and CORT in cells stimulated with forskolin to mimic a stress response.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In vivo studies demonstrate that Rooibos significantly decreased glucocorticoid levels in rats and steroid metabolite ratios linked to metabolic disorders--cortisol:cortisone in humans and CORT:testosterone in rats. Results obtained at cellular level elucidate possible mechanisms by which these effects were achieved.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
authors.forename: Lindie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schloms
authors.forename: Carine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Karl-Heinz
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Storbeck
authors.forename: Jeanine L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Marnewick
authors.forename: Pieter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Swart
authors.forename: Amanda C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Swart
mesh_terms: D042842:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D036903:Aspalathus / Q000737:chemistry*; D016466:CHO Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood; D003348:Cortisone / Q000097:blood; D003412:Cricetulus; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012431:Rutin / Q000494:pharmacology; D013256:Steroids / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013256:Steroids; D012431:Rutin; D042842:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D003348:Cortisone; D003345:Corticosterone; D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: Adrenal H295R cells; Cytochrome P450; Functional food; Metabolic syndrome; Rooibos tea polyphenol flavonoids