MRC PhD student
 Level of study: MSc
Title: The antibiabetic and antioxidant properties of ARC 401 aqueous extract - an in vitro and ex vivo assessment.
Project summary: Agricultural Research Council (ARC) 401 is an aqueous extract prepared from an aromatic, indigenous shrub with high antioxidant content and numerous potential medicinal properties.
Recently ARC 401 has been shown to have similar antioxidant activity to Rooibos tea, and may well have commercial benefits in addition to its horticultural potential. It has long been known that the health benefits attributed to certain herbal teas are due to the tea’s antioxidant properties. These health benefits attributed mainly to the antioxidant properties of polyphenols include protection against cellular oxidative damage and disease.
If this study shows that the ARC 401 aqueous extract demonstrates hypoglycaemic and antioxidant properties, impending commercialization of the extract holds great economic and developmental potential for the indigenous communities as well as to the health of the general populace.
The objectives of the study are as follows:
- To determine the effect of ARC 401 aqueous extract on glucose metabolism in the following cell lines: C2C12 and L8 myocytes, Chang and C3A liver cells, and 3T3 L1 adipocytes.
- Quantify potential antioxidant properties of the extract in leukocytes, 3T3 adipocytes and pancreatic β-cells.
- To determine the in vitro and in vivo effect of the extract on insulin sensitivity by measuring molecular markers involved in insulin signaling.
Supervisors: Drs. C.J.F. Muller, D. de Beer and Prof B.J. Page
Study Institution: University of Stellenbosch
MRC Unit: Diabetes Discovery Platform |
