Written by Dr Mariska Lilly,
As the Niche Area Leader in Chemoprevention at the Applied Microbial and Health Biotechnology Institute (AMHBI) at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), my research delves into the protective and restorative effects of herbal extracts, particularly honeybush, on skin inflammation and allergies. Recently, my team published a study in the Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology, demonstrating honeybush’s potential to modulate skin responses to UVB-induced oxidative stress and inflammation. I was honored to present these findings at the International Society for Ethnopharmacology (ISE) conference at the CTICC in Cape Town, where we highlighted the significant role of herbal extracts in skin health and chemoprevention.
Our research, led by Keet et al. (2024), focused on the effects of green honeybush extract (Cyclopia subternata) on skin cells (HaCaT keratinocytes) to assess its protective effects against UVB radiation damage. UVB exposure can cause oxidative stress in skin cells, leading to an accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that drive cellular damage and premature aging. Our findings showed that honeybush extract significantly reduced ROS levels, thanks to its powerful antioxidant properties. This action helped prevent oxidative damage to proteins, lipids, and DNA within the skin cells, which can otherwise accelerate skin aging, reduce elasticity, and increase the risk of skin diseases.
Furthermore, our study demonstrated that honeybush extract effectively reduced UVB-induced inflammation. By downregulating inflammatory markers in keratinocytes, honeybush extract mitigated the intensity of the inflammatory response, suggesting its role in supporting skin recovery after sun exposure. Altogether, our findings reveal honeybush extract’s dual role in protecting skin cells from oxidative stress and inflammation, positioning it as a promising natural ingredient in skincare products focused on anti-aging and skin resilience.
Reference: Keet, L., Magcwebeba, T., Abel, S., Louw, A., Gelderblom, W., and Lilly, M. (2024). Modulation of UVB-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in skin keratinocytes (HaCaT) utilising unfermented rooibos and honeybush aqueous extracts. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology, p.100242.
For more information, please feel free to contact Dr Lilly at lillym@cput.ac.za or +27 82 859 4768.