Rooibos influences glucocorticoid levels and steroid ratios in vivo and in vitro: A natural approach in the management of stress and metabolic disorders?

ArticleTo determine the effect of Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) on glucocorticoid biosynthesis and inactivation in vivo and in vitro. Methods and 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 11-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11HSD1) and type 2 (11HSD2) in CHO-K1 cells. Rooibos inhibited 11HSD1, which resulted in a significant reduction in the cortisol:cortisone ratio (p < 0.01). No significant effect was detected on 11HSD2. 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. Conclusion: 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.South African Rooibos CouncilThe Medical Research Council, South AfricaNational Research Foundation/THRI