Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (MScFoodSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / Methamphetamine (MA), also known as ‘Tik’, has detrimental short- and long-term psychological and morphological effects on the central nervous system (CNS). The lipophilic nature of MA allows it to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) which normally plays a protective role in limiting solute exchange (including narcotics) into the neuronal tissue. Numerous studies have indicated that MA not only crosses the BBB but is implicated in distorting its crucial role in that it increases the permeability of the endothelial cells and thereby compromises its core homeostatic function. The speculated mechanism by which MA elicits its effects involves elevated ROS production which may be reversed by antioxidant treatment. Rooibos herbal tea (Aspalathus linearis) which is well documented for its antioxidative properties and ROS scavenging abilities may therefore be the ideal candidate to reverse the harmful ROS-induced effects of MA. The aim of the study was to investigate the in vitro ameliorating potential of fermented rooibos (Rf) against the MA-induced effects on mouse brain endothelial (bEnd5) cells by utilizing various assays (trypan blue exclusion and XTT viability assays) and physiological parameters (cell numbers, viability, monolayer permeability and cell cycle phases) over a period of 96 hrs. Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon rank sum test with P<0.05 denoted as significant. Once-off exposure to physiological MA concentrations and Rf resulted in % viability similar to controls by 96 hrs with suppression observed only when the cells were exposed to daily MA (0.1-1000 μM) (P≤0.0063). Exposure to supraphysiological concentrations (≥100 μM) of MA greatly suppressed viability (P≤0.0463). Both daily and once-off treatment to the combinations initially resulted in increased viability however by 96 hrs was similar to- or exceeding the controls (P≤0.0180). MA exposure also resulted in decreased live cell numbers (P≤0.0339) with no effect when exposed to Rf by 96 hrs. The combinations resulted in cell numbers comparable to controls. Dose-dependent increases in electrical resistance were observed in response to singular MA and Rf treatment with lower MA concentrations displaying significant decreases (P≤0.0064). Similar trends were observed with combinations however greater resistance was observed. Increased G1-phase populations (P≤0.0495) in response to singular MA and Rf exposure was noted followed by decreased S-phase fractions (P≤0.0356). While MA decreased G2-M phase cells (P≤0.0498) it was unaffected by Rf. In contrast, the combination of MA and Rf decreased events in the G1-phase (P≤0.0483), with an increased S-phase population (P≤0.0415). In conclusion, the single compounds displayed mirroring effects, decreasing the cells’ permeability and causing G1-phase arrest. The modulatory effects of Rf in combination with MA was illustrated with the restoration of viability and live cell numbers comparable to that of controls, and a more restrictive monolayer as well as reversal of the G1-phase arrest. Findings suggest that Rf may reverse the adverse effects of MA on the BBB.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Damping-off of rooibos (Aspalathus linearis), which is an important indigenous crop in South Africa, causes serious losses in rooibos nurseries and is caused by a complex of pathogens of which oomycetes, mainly Pythium, are an important component. The management of damping-off in organic rooibos nurseries is problematic, since phenylamide fungicides may not be used. Therefore, alternative management strategies such as rotation crops, compost and biological control agents, must be investigated. The management of damping-off requires knowledge, which currently is lacking, of the Pythium species involved, and their pathogenicity towards rooibos and two nursery rotation crops (lupin and oats). Pythium species identification can be difficult since the genus is complex and consists of more than 120 species. Species identification is, however, greatly facilitated by analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. These regions, have also been used to divide the genus into 11 phylogenetic clades (A to K), with some clades, such as clade G, still being poorly characterised. The first aim of the study was to characterize 12 Pythium clade G isolates that were obtained from damped-off rooibos seedlings, along with six known clade G species. Subsequently, oligonucleotides were designed for differentiating two rooibos associated groups that may represent new taxons, for future use in DNA macro-array analyses. Phylogenetic analyses of the ITS region and a combined phylogeny of four gene regions (ITS, -tubulin and, COX1 and COX2 [cytochrome c oxidase subunits I and II]) identified five sub-clades within Pythium clade G. The rooibos isolates formed two groups, Rooibos group I (RB I) and II (RB II) that clustered into two groups within sub-clade 1 with good support (64%-89% bootstrap, 1.00 probability). The Pythium RB I isolates had P. iwayamai as its nearest neighbour, and may represent a new species. The Pythium RB II isolates had P. canariense and P. violae as their closest relatives and may, along with other isolates contained in the RB II sub-clade, represent several new species. Morphological analyses of the rooibos isolates were inconclusive, since the isolates all contained similar morphological characteristics that did not correspond to the description of known Pythium species. The Pythium RB I and II isolates were all non-pathogenic toward rooibos, lupin and oats seedlings. For each of the two rooibos groups, one newly developed oligonucleotide was able to differentiate the isolates from clade G reference isolates using DNA macro-array analyses. The second aim of the study was to determine the oomycetes species associated with rooibos in nurseries and in a native rooibos site, and their pathogenicity towards rooibos and two nursery rotation crops (lupin and oats). Since some isolates were shown to be nonpathogenic, another aim was to determine whether these isolates, along with the previously characterised non-pathogenic Pythium RB I and RB II isolates, could suppress pathogenic oomycetes. Characterisation of isolates from 19 nurseries and one native rooibos site revealed the presence of five Pythium species (P. acanthicum, P. irregulare, P. mamillatum, P. myriotylum, and P. pyrilobum) and Phytophthora cinnamomi. In nurseries, P. irregulare was the most common species (81%) followed by P. myriotylum (14%). Similarly, P. irregulare was also the most prevalent species (57%) in native rooibos, but P. pyrilobum (26%) was second most prevalent. Pathogenicity studies on rooibos showed that all species, except P. acanthicum, were highly virulent causing 100% damping-off. On lupin, P. acanthicum was also the only non-pathogenic species, with the other species being less virulent on lupin than on rooibos. Only P. irregulare, P. myriotylum, and P. pyrilobum were pathogenic towards oats, and were also less virulent on oats than on rooibos. On lupin and oats, not all off the isolates from a specific species was pathogenic. Non-pathogenic Pythium species (P. acanthicum, Pythium RB I and II) was only effective at suppressing disease on the less susceptible crops of lupin and oats, but not on rooibos. The third aim of the study was to investigate the management of rooibos damping-off using two composts (A and B), and composts combined with non-pathogenic Pythium species. Evaluation of the suppression by composts of Ph. cinnamomi and 29 Pythium isolates, which represented the four pathogenic Pythium rooibos species, showed that both composts were able to suppress some, but not all of the pathogenic Pythium isolates. Both composts were very effective at, and the highest percentage control was achieved, with suppression of Ph. cinnamomi. Most isolates of P. mamillatum and P. pyrilobum were suppressed by composts, whereas most P. irregulare (> 62%) and P. myriotylum (>50%) isolates were not suppressed. Non-pathogenic Pythium species combined with either of the two composts were able to significantly reduce damping-off caused by P. irregulare or a combination of pathogenic species (P. irregulare, P. mamillatum, P. myriotylum, P. pyrilobum, and Ph. cinnamomi), compared to than when only the pathogens were present. In the absence of non-pathogenic species, neither of the composts was able to suppress the aforementioned pathogenic isolates. This study has improved our knowledge of the oomycete species that are involved in rooibos damping-off, and has identified possible management strategies for use in organic nurseries. Several oomycete species are involved in causing damping-off and their differential virulence, and responses to being suppressed by composts, will require the use of integrated management strategies. Management strategies that showed promise include the combined use of compost and non-pathogenic Pythium taxons. The use of oats, which is susceptible to fewer oomycete isolates than rooibos, could also be valuable as a rotation crop. Altogether, knowledge obtained in this study can be used to (i) optimize integrated management strategies for organic nurseries, (ii) elucidate the mechanisms involved in disease suppression and (ii) develop molecular techniques, such as DNA macro-arrays and quantitative PCR (qPCR) for the rapid assessment of the species involved, and the quantification of inoculum in nursery soils. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Omvalsiekte van rooibos (Aspalathus linearis), wat ‘n belangrike inheemse gewas in Suid-Afrika is, veroorsaak ernstige verliese in rooiboskwekerye, en word deur ‘n kompleks van patogene veroorsaak, waarvan oömysete, hoofsaaklik Pythium, ’n belangrike komponent is. Die bestuur van omvalsiekte in organiese rooiboskwekerye is problematies, aangesien fenielamied fungisiedes nie gebruik mag word nie. Alternatiewe bestuurstrategieë, soos rotasie-gewasse, kompos en biologiese beheer-agente, moet dus ondersoek word. Die bestuur van omvalsiekte vereis kennis, wat tans ontbreek, naamlik die Pythium spesies wat betrokke is, hul patogenisiteit teenoor rooibos, en twee kwekery rotasie-gewasse (lupiene en hawer). Pythium spesie-identifikasie kan moeilik wees aangesien die genus kompleks is en uit meer as 120 spesies bestaan. Spesie-identifikasie word egter grootliks vergemaklik deur analise van die interne getranskribeerde spasieerder (ITS) areas. Hierdie areas is ook gebruik om die genus in 11 filogenetiese “clades” (A tot K) te verdeel, met sommige “clades”, soos “clade” G, wat steeds swak gekarakteriseer is. Die eerste doelwit van die studie was om 12 Pythium “clade” G isolate te karakteriseer, wat vanaf omvalsiekte rooibossaailinge verkry is, tesame met ses bekende “clade” G spesies. Gevolglik is oligonukleotiede ontwerp ten einde twee rooibosgeassosieerde groepe, wat nuwe taksons kan verteenwoordig, te onderskei, en vir toekomstige gebruik in DNS makro-“array” analise. Filogenetiese analise van die ITS area en ‘n gekombineerde filogenie van vier geen-areas (ITS, -tubulien en, COX1 en COX2 [sitokroom c oksidase sub-eenhede I en II]) het vyf sub-“clades” binne Pythium “clade” G geïdentifiseer. Die rooibos isolate het twee groepe gevorm, Rooibos groep I (RB I) en II (RB II) wat twee groepe binne sub-“clade” 1 gevorm het, met goeie ondersteuning (64%-89% “bootstrap”, 1.00 waarskynlikheid). Die Pythium RB I isolate het P. iwayamai as sy naaste verwant, en mag ‘n nuwe spesie verteenwoordig. Die Pythium RB II isolate het P. canariense en P. violae as hul naaste verwante en mag, tesame met ander isolate wat in die RB II sub-“clade” ingesluit word, verskeie nuwe spesies verteenwoordig. Morfologiese analise van die rooibos-isolate was onbeslis, aangesien die isolate almal soortgelyke morfologiese kenmerke bevat het, wat nie met die beskrywing van bekende Pythium spesies ooreengestem het nie. Die Pythium RB I en II isolate was almal nie-patogenies teenoor rooibos-, lupien- en hawersaailinge. Vir elk van die twee rooibosgroepe, was een nuut-ontwikkelde oligonukleotied in staat om die isolate van “clade” G verwysingsisolate te differensieer, deur die gebruik van DNS makro-“array” analise. Die tweede doelwit van die studie was om die oömysete spesies wat met rooibos in kwekerye en in ‘n inheemse rooibos-area geassosieer word, te bepaal, en hul patogenisiteit teenoor rooibos en twee kwekery rotasie-gewasse (lupien en hawer). Aangesien van die isolate nie-patogenies was, was ’n ander doelwit om te bepaal of hierdie isolate, tesame met die voorheen gekarakteriseerde nie-patogeniese Pythium RB I en RB II isolate, patogeniese oömysete kan onderdruk. Karakterisering van isolate van 19 kwekerye en een inheemse rooibos-area, het op die teenwoordigheid van vyf Pythium spesies (P. acanthicum, P. irregulare, P. mamillatum, P. myriotylum, en P. pyrilobum) en Phytophthora cinnamomi gedui. P. irregulare was die mees algemene spesie (81%) in kwekerye, gevolg deur P. myriotylum (14%). Soortgelyk was P. irregulare ook die mees algemene spesie (57%) in inheemse rooibos, maar P. pyrilobum (26%) was tweede mees algemeen. Patogenisiteitstudies op rooibos het getoon dat alle spesies, behalwe P. acanthicum, hoogs virulent was en 100% omvalsiekte veroorsaak het. Op lupien was P. acanthicum ook die enigste nie-patogeniese spesie, terwyl die ander spesies minder virulent op lupien as op rooibos was. Slegs P. irregulare, P. myriotylum en P. pyrilobum was patogenies teenoor hawer, en was ook minder virulent op hawer as op rooibos. Op lupien en hawer was nie alle isolate van ‘n spesifieke spesie patogenies nie. Nie-patogeniese Pythium spesies (P. acanthicum, Pythium RB I en II) was slegs effektief om siekte op die minder vatbare gewasse, lupien en hawer, te onderdruk, maar nie op rooibos nie. Die derde doelwit van die studie was om die bestuur van rooibos omvalsiekte te ondersoek, deur die gebruik van twee tipes kompos (A en B), en kompos gekombineer met nie-patogeniese Pythium spesies. Evaluasie van die onderdrukking deur kompos van Ph. cinnamomi en 29 Pythium isolate, wat die vier patogeniese Pythium rooibosspesies verteenwoordig het, het getoon dat beide tipes kompos in staat was om sommige, maar nie al die patogeniese Pythium isolate, te onderdruk nie. Beide tipes kompos was baie effektief, en die hoogste persentasie beheer was met die onderdrukking van Ph. cinnamomi verkry. Meeste isolate van P. mamillatum en P. pyrilobum is deur kompos onderdruk, terwyl meeste P. irregulare (> 62%) en P. myriotylum (>50%) isolate nie onderdruk is nie. Nie-patogeniese Pythium spesies, in kombinasie met enige van die twee tipes kompos, was in staat om betekenisvol omvalsiekte veroorsaak deur P. irregulare, of in ’n kombinasie met patogeniese spesies (P. irregulare, P. mamillatum, P. myriotylum, P. pyrilobum, en Ph. cinnamomi), te verminder, in vergelyking met wanneer slegs die patogene aanwesig was. In die afwesigheid van nie-patogeniese spesies, was nie een van die tipes kompos in staat om die voorafgenoemde patogeniese isolate te onderdruk nie. Hierdie studie het ons kennis rakende die oömysete spesies betrokke in rooibos omvalsiekte verbeter, en het moontlike bestuurstrategieë geïdentifiseer wat in organiese kwekerye gebruik kan word. Verskeie oömysete spesies is betrokke in die oorsaak van omvalsiekte, en hul verskille in virulensie, en reaksies op onderdrukking deur kompos, sal die gebruik van geïntegreerde bestuurstrategieë vereis. Bestuurstrategieë wat belofte toon, sluit die gekombineerde gebruik van kompos en nie-patogeniese Pythium taksons in. Die gebruik van hawer, wat vir minder oömysete isolate as rooibos vatbaar is, kan ook waardevol as ‘n rotasie-gewas wees. Tesame, kan kennis wat in die studie opgedoen is gebruik word om (i) geïntegreerde bestuurstrategieë vir organiese kwekerye te optimaliseer, (ii) die meganismes betrokke in siekte-onderdrukking te bepaal, en (iii) molekulêre tegnieke, soos DNS makro- “arrays” en kwantitatiewe PKR (qPKR) te ontwikkel vir die vinnige bepaling van die spesies betrokke, en die kwantifisering van inokulum in kwekery-gronde.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / South Africa (SA) is home to one of the six floral kingdoms of the world, and hosts a very diverse flora comprising an astonishing ~30,000 species. Herbal medicines play an important role in many of the diverse cultures of this country. Yet, agricultural production systems for most of these species are missing, and medicinal plants are usually collected in the wild. The endemic medicinal plants of SA produce a wide range of rare medicinally active compounds, which could be developed into drugs. Knowledge on the genes involved in the biosynthesis of these compounds could not only promote establishment of plant production systems, but also their biotechnological exploitation. Transcriptomics has been revolutionized by Next Generation Sequencing technologies, which can cost-efficiently provide a lot of information on plant genes and biosynthetic pathways. This thesis focuses on the establishment of methodologies for high-throughput plant transcriptome research, including: 1) harvesting plant material suitable for high-quality RNA analysis from distant locations, 2) high-throughput, and inexpensive biochemical sample screening, 3) extraction of high-quality RNA from recalcitrant, polysaccharide- and polyphenol rich plant material, and 4) biocomputational analysis of Illumina sequencing data, including quality control and pre-processing of data, de novo assembly of reads, protein prediction and functional transcriptome annotation. Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) was chosen as the pilot plant, because it is one of the few indigenous SA medicinal plants that has been successfully cultivated as a commercial crop. It produces a wide range of phenolic compounds with health promoting properties (e.g. aspalathin and a phenylpropenoic acid glucoside with scientifically verified antidiabetic and cardioprotective effects). In the course of this study, seven rooibos transcriptomes were produced, assembled and functionally annotated, providing a first extensive dataset for identification of genes associated with economically important traits such as medicinal compound production, rooibos growth type characteristics and stress resistance.

Thesis (M. Sc. (Medical Sciences)) -- University of Limpopo, 2020 / This study investigated the effect of rooibos tea on human sperm in vitro. Semen samples from 50 healthy men and 50 patients were treated with aqueous extracts of fermented rooibos (0 µg/ml, 0.10 µg/ml, 1.0 µg/ml, 10 µg/ml, 100 μg/ml) and unfermented rooibos (0 µg/ml, 0.15 µg/ml, 1.5 µg/ml, 15 µg/ml, 150 μg/ml) for one hour at 37ºC. Thereafter, sperm parameters were analysed. Exposure to unfermented rooibos had no effect on sperm motility, vitality and DNA fragmentation in both groups (P>0.05). However, this treatment significantly increased the production of reactive oxygen species, thus influencing the acrosome reaction, and demonstrated a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential in the donor group (P<0.05). Treatment with fermented rooibos increased progressive motility in the donor group (P<0.05) but had no effect on sperm vitality, reactive oxygen species and the acrosome reaction in either group (P>0.05). A decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and DNA fragmentation was observed in the donor group and the patient group (P<0.05). Rooibos tea maintains certain sperm functional parameters, and this may positively affect fertility rate. / National Research Foundation (NRF)

Thesis(M Tech(Biomedical Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2009 / This thesis provides the first scientific evidence of the photoprotective properties of rooibos and honeybush herbal tea extracts and to some extent, two major honeybush polyphenols, hesperidin and mangiferin. These properties were demonstrated using in vivo models by: Providing evidence for the inhibition of tumour promotion by ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation in a two-stage skin carcinogenesis mouse model. Topical application of polyphenol-rich extracts of rooibos and honeybush prior to UVB tumour promotion of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-initiated mouse skin, inhibited the formation of tumours. The rooibos and honeybush extracts decreased the incidence and volume of the tumours. Topical application of hesperidin and mangiferin were less effective than the honeybush extracts as only the tumour volume was decreased, but not the incidence. Providing evidence for the inhibition of photodamage of the skin by UVB exposure in a mouse model. Topical application of polyphenolic rich extracts of honeybush prior to UVB irradiation of mouse skin reduced erythema, peeling, oedema and hyperplasia. The depletion of antioxidant enzymes catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) was prevented. The extracts protected the skin from oxidative and direct DNA damage, and reduced lipid peroxidation. The induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) was also reduced. Topical application of the polyphenols hesperidin and mangiferin showed reduced protective effects compared to the extracts. Suggesting the possible mechanisms by which honeybush and the polyphenols protect against photocarcinogenesis such as reducing tumour promotion, inflammation and oxidative stress. Suggesting the benefits of including honeybush and rooibos as cosmeceuticals in skin care products and sunscreens as part of the strategy for preventing skin cancer. Discussing the recommendations for further study such as investigating more specific chemopreventive activities of these two South African herbal teas and their polyphenols, dose response studies and clinical evaluations.

Thesis (MTech (Food Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2015. / Rooibos iced tea (RIT), as one of the products of Rooibos is fast becoming very popular as a beverage in society due to the benefits of the phenolic compounds that are associated with this herbal tea. Some of the commercially available products have been found to contain, if any, lower contents of the major phenolic compounds, namely aspalathin and its oxidation products, iso-orientin and orientin. Their presence is considered as indicators of a good quality product. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light as an alternative treatment to heat treatment on the shelf life, pH, phenolic composition, colour and microorganisms associated with Rooibos. Two formulations of RIT were used in order to determine the efficacy of the UV-C on the shelf life whilst three formulations were used for the physicochemical analysis. Only one formulation was used for inoculation with three spoilage bacteria, yeast and mould spoilage microorganisms namely; Escherichia coli K12, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella sp., Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Cladosporium sp. The UV-C dosages of 0, 918, 1 836, 2 754 and 3 672 J.l -1 were used to treat the RIT using a pilot-scale UV-C system with a turbulent flow at a constant flow rate of 4000 l.hr-1 . A log count of 4 log10 was considered the limit for the spoilage growth since it is the average log10 afternormal pasteurisation. The use of UV-C treatment was found to have significantly (p1) effect on the overall colour difference of the RIT in formulations A, B, and C. All the spoilage microorganisms were significantly reduced by UV-C dosage to less than 4 log10 except the Cladosporium sp. The S. cerevisiae was the most sensitive microorganism whilst Cladosporium sp. was the most resistant. The effect of UV-C on the spoilage microorganism followed the sequence: S. cerevisiae>Salmonella sp.>S. aureus>E. coli K12>Cladosporium sp. This study indicated that microbiological reduction was achieved as a function of increasing UV-C dosage. In order to achieve the highest log10 reduction, the highest UV-C dosage of 3 672 J.l-1 may be used. However, the dosage may need to be increased in order to achieve the desired results in the treatment of Cladosporium sp. It can thus be concluded from the above investigations that UV-C dosage treatment of 3 672 J.l-1 is optimum in the non-thermal treatment of RIT / South African Association for Food Science & Technology Cape Peninsula University of Technology Bursary

The total mineral ion concentration of Rooibos Tea was determined using ICP-OES. Significant concentrations of Na, K, Mg, Ca, P were found, and trace levels of Al, Fe, Mo, Sr, Zn, Ba, Cu and Pb detected. Protocatechuic acid, aspalathin and rutin were identified in Rooibos tea infusions analysed with HPLC. Analysis of tea samples by Ion Chromatography showed the presence of Cr and S042- ions. Rooibos Tea liquor had a pH of 4.6 once equilibrium had been reached. Partition coefficients (1.0 - 1.4 mm sieving fraction) for Na+, K+, Mg2+, protocatechuic acid, aspalathin, rutin, S042- and Cl were determined for infusions at 80 C using a graphical and a successive extraction method. A total mineral content method was also used to determine the partition coefficients for the mineral ions. The Na+, K+, Mg2+,SO42-, H2P04- (as P) and Cl ions as well as protocatechuic acid, aspalathin and rutin all displayed first order behavior, allowing the determination of infusion rate constants. The particle size effect was investigated at 80 C. All the mineral ions showed an increase in infusion rate constant with decreasing particle size, protocatechuic acid and aspalathin showed no trend, while the rutin infusion rate constant was independent of particle size. Calcium uptake by the leaf was observed, this was more pronounced with the smaller particle sizes. Infusion rate constants and hence diffusion coefficients were determined for the nine species for temperatures ranging from 45 to 90 C. These diffusion coefficients for the mineral ions were compared with those for the respective species in aqueous media to give hindrance factors, which were of the order of 102. Except for Cl, all hindrance factors increased with an increase in temperature. The infusion rate constants for all the species at the various temperatures were fitted to an Arrhenius equation and activation energies of infusion determined. The values were lower than those predicted theoretically. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1998

Magister Scientiae (Medical Bioscience) - MSc(MBS) / Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals as bisphenol A (BPA) during gestation and early postnatal life is known to disrupt normal developmental processes and alter the body’s endocrine system leading to deleterious effects in the developing central nervous system (CNS). BPA is an industrial synthetic chemical commonly used in the production of a range of polymers and consumer products, despite concerns about its safety. There is therefore the need to protect the developing CNS from potential damage through the administration of neuroprotective agents. Most medicinal plants are reported to possess significant protective potential against tissue damage through different mechanisms that prevent cell death, oxidative stress, inflammation, immunodeficiency, etc. In this study, the protective effects of fermented rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) tea against the deleterious effects of BPA were investigated. Rooibos is a herbal beverage indigenous to South Africa with widely acclaimed health benefits often linked to the bioactivity of its polyphenolic compounds, especially aspalathin. The anti-allergic, cardiovascular, antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of this herb have been previously reported hence, the present study aims to investigate if regular consumption of rooibos tea during pregnancy and lactation could protect the developing brain from the deleterious effects of BPA in a Wistar rat model. A total of 40 three-month old adult female pregnant dams, with an average weight of 250g, were divided into four groups (n=10). Group 1 control rats received 9% normal saline ad libitum; group 2 rats received 400μg/kg/day BPA only; group 3 rats received 20% fermented rooibos tea as well as 400μg/kg/day BPA, while group 4 rats received ad libitum 20% fermented rooibos tea only. Offspring rats were housed in the same cages as the dams and only separated after weaning on postnatal day (PND) 21. Neurobehavioural assessment using the open field test was done on postnatal day (PND) 42 after which the final body masses were taken before the rats were decapitated under deep anaesthesia, and the desired CNS parts carefully dissected out and processed for histological, biochemical and immunohistochemical studies. The results obtained showed that there was significant impairment of neurobehavioural activity, decreased cerebral and cerebellar antioxidant enzyme activity, reduced hippocampal CA1 length, significant loss of cerebellar Purkinje cells and significant astrocyte activation demonstrated by increased glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) activity in experimental rats exposed to BPA only. However, co-administration of rooibos tea significantly attenuated the BPA-induced distortions. Taken together, these findings suggest that rooibos could be a potent neuroprotective agent against BPA-induced structural, functional and biochemical alterations in the developing CNS.