M.Tech. / The plants Salacia leptoclada and Warburgia salutaris possess antioxidant properties and are commonly used in Southern Africa for the treatment of inflammatory and other diseases. In order to determine their therapeutic use in crystalline silica-induced injury, the extracts of S. leptoclada and W. salutaris were investigated on silica-induced increased levels of (i) TNF-a, IL-113, INF-y, (ii) the activation of the transcription factor NE-KB, and (iii) the induction of DNA damage and lipid peroxidation. Through its antioxidant property, W. salutaris exhibited a protective effect against crystalline silica-induced inflammatory cytokine expression, NF-KB activation and DNA strand breakage. The extracts of W. salutaris also inhibited cellular membrane peroxidation induced by crystalline silica. Similarly, the extracts of S. leptoclada showed protection of cells against crystalline silica-induced membrane peroxidation. However, S. leptoclada proved ineffective in protecting against silica-induced DNA damage, proinflammatory cytokine expression and NF-KB activation. Since crystalline silica-induced inflammation, NE-KB activation, DNA damage and lipid peroxidation are involved in the process of crystalline silica-induced fibrogenecity and carcinogenicity, W. salutaris may be a potential therapeutic agent against crystalline silica-induced cellular injury.

M.Tech. (Homoeopathy) / Overweight and obesity is an excessive accumulation of fat and can be classified using the body mass index (BMI). Being overweight has a whole host of health-related risks, which includes metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus type II to name a few (Goedecke et al. 2005). Interleukin 6 (IL-6), secreted from the adipose tissue surrounding the waist line is responsible for a state of systemic chronic low level inflammation and plays a crucial role in the development of diseases associated with being overweight (Fantuzzi, 2005). Food sensitivities further contributes to this state of low level chronic inflammation. Symptoms of food sensitivities include, difficulty losing weight as well as over eating, which hinders weight loss in over weight individuals (Joyal, 2010). Anti-inflammatory diets such as the Mediterranean diet focuses on a diet rich in antiinflammatory foods, which is known to decrease chronic low level inflammation caused by being overweight and obese. (Galland, 2010). The aim of this study was to determine the comparative effect of the Mediterranean diet to a modified Mediterranean diet (excludes common food sensitivities) on the circulating levels of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) in overweight females by measuring weight loss and IL-6 levels. The study was an experimental comparative study involving thirty female participants who were between the ages of 20-45 and were overweight (BMI 25-30 kg/m²). Potential participants attended an initial interview where they were screened by means of inclusion and exclusion criteria as well as a physical exam that included vitals, weight (kg), waist measurement (cm), hip-to-waist ratio and calculation of BMI. Individuals who met these criteria were sent for blood tests to measure their Interleukin 6 levels (IL-6). Those individuals with an IL-6 level of greater than 0.96pg/ml were then contacted to set up a first appointment. Participants were allocated to either the modified Mediterranean diet or to the Mediterranean diet using matched pairs. Participants attended a three week as well as a 6 week follow up to tract weight-loss progress.

M. Tech. / Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain for which professional care is sought (Singh, 2008). Plantar fasciitis is a common injury, and one which is known to be stubborn to many forms of treatment. The aim of the study was to determine the most effective treatment for individuals suffering with plantar fasciitis comparing three protocols, i.e. mobilisation and manipulation of the foot and ankle with cross friction massage of the plantar fascia versus stretching of the gastroc-soleus complex with cross friction massage of the plantar fascia or a combination of the aforementioned treatments. Participants in the study were recruited from information pamphlets, the University of Johannesburg Chiropractic and Podiatry Day Clinics and running clubs. Only those participants that conformed to the selection criteria were allowed to participate in the study. A total of forty five participants were included. These participants were randomly placed into one of three groups of fifteen participants in each group. Group one received manipulation and mobilisation therapy to the foot and ankle with cross friction massage of the plantar fascia. Group two received cross friction massage of the plantar fascia and stretching of the gastroc-soleus muscle. Group three received a combination of the aforementioned therapies. Subjective data was collected using the Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) and the Foot Function Index (FFI). Objective data was collected using the algometer to test differences in pain at the plantar fascia as well as ankle range of motion in dorsiflexion and plantarflexion which was measured using a goniometer. The results of this study indicate that cross friction massage of the plantar fascia and stretching of the gastroc-soleus complex would appear to have shown the greatest overall improvement in terms of reducing the pain and disability and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion. Manipulation of the foot and ankle, cross friction massage of the plantar fascia and stretching of the gastroc-soleus complex proved to have shown the greatest overall improvement in plantarflexion only. Based on the results of the study, cross friction massage and gastroc-soleus stretching is the most effective treatment protocol for plantar fasciitis.