The effect of calyx infusion of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. On t-cells-mediated immune response in mitogen-induced blastogenesis of human lymphocytes in vitro

Free radical production and disturbance in the redox status may modulate the expression of a variety of immune and inflammatory molecules. Antioxidants could inhibit the proliferation of T lymphocytes induced by mitogens. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the infusion of dried calyx of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. on T-cell-mediated immune response. We examined the effect of the infusion on spontaneous and mitogen-induced blast transformation of human lymphocytes in vitro. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from heparinised venous blood of healthy subjects (n=17) were examined. Five and 10 mg ml-1 phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and 5 mg ml-1 pokeweed mitogen (PWM) were added. Depending on the concentration, calyx infusion of H. sabdariffa decreased mitogen-induced blastogenesis in normal subjects. It did not affect, however, the level of spontaneous proliferation of human lymphocytes in vitro. The infusion of hibisci flos may alleviate over-stimulated condition of the immune system in hypersensitivity conditions

How can Beiqishen tea consumption influence redox homeostasis in experimental hyperlipidemy?

In general, biologically active polyphenolic compounds have indirect lipid lowering effects, antioxidant properties and they can also eliminate the accumulated toxic metal elements in the liver in cases of hyperlipidemy. Because of all these, we studied the effect of Beiqishen tea on altered lipid metabolisms, redox parameters and on liver metal contents. Although it was expected, there was not any liver protecting activity of the Beiqishen tea extract in the hyperlipidemic rat model, which was proved by biochemical and morphological studies. The reason for our expectation was the significant polyphenol content of Beiqishen tea. Although, the detoxifying activity of tea polyphenols could be observed in hyperlipidemy, at the same time toxic metal element content (As, Mo, Ni, Pb and Cr) of the tea infusion accumulated in the liver in both normo- and hyperlipidemic rats

The influence of the steeping time on the antioxidant properties of a chinese herbal tea

The different methods of making herbal tea used in various cultures may decrease the efficiency of herbal tea, therefore the purpose of the present study was to examine the changes in antioxidant activity and metal ion concentration in aqueous extracts of “Tieguanyin Stomach Tea” obtained with different steeping times. Partial phytochemical examination, element analysis, and the determination of antioxidant properties were carried out. High Al, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb and Ti content was observed in the tea drug. Aqueous extracts of the drug sample showed H-donor activity, reducing power and scavenging activity, depending on the steeping time and concentration. According to our findings, 5-min steeping was the least effective and redox parameters of the aqueous extracts did not change considerably between 15 and 120 min of steeping time