MRC PhD students

Level of study: PhD

Title: The evaluation of the anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties of rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) and honeybush (Cyclopia spp) tea fractions against skin cancer development.  

Her study entails the evaluation of the anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties of rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) and honeybush (Cyclopia spp) tea fractions against skin cancer development.  

The main objectives of the study are:

• To monitor the  in vitro effects of selected rooibos and honeybush extracts and fractions on cell survival parameters including cytotoxicity, inflammation, proliferation and apoptosis utilising different human cancer cell lines.
• Determine whether topical application of  selected rooibos and honeybush fractions could modulate skin cancer promotion in vivo

Based on the findings of the study a specific herbal tea extract and/or fraction will be characterised as a possible therapeutic tool against skin cancer development. 

Supervisor: Prof WCA Gelderblom, Dr K. Gamieldien and Prof P Swart MRC PROMEC Unit
Study Institution: Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University.