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The antioxidant potentials for fourteen multipurpose traditional herbal preparations sold in South Africa were determined using the DPPH radical scavenging, ferric reducing power and β-carotene-linoleic acid model system, the anti-HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) enzyme inhibitory effects using an ELISA kit and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme inhibition using the microtitre plate assay. Nine of the herbal mixtures (Umzimba omubi, Umuthi wekukhwehlela ne zilonda, Mvusa ukunzi, Umpatisa inkosi, Imbiza ephuzwato, Vusa umzimba, Supreme one hundred, Sejeso herbal mixture Ingwe® and Ingwe® special muti) exhibited higher antioxidant potentials, while only four (Imbiza ephuzwato, Ingwe® muthi mixture, Sejeso herbal mixture Ingwe® and African potato extract™ showed potent activity against the RT enzyme. Nine mixtures (Imbiza ephuzwato, Umpatisa inkosi, African potato extract™, Sejeso herbal mixture Ingwe®, Vusa umzimba; Ingwe® muthi mixture, Ibhubezi™, Lion izifozonke Ingwe® and Ingwe® special muti) showed AChE enzyme inhibitory activity greater than 50%. The observed activity exhibited by some of the herbal mixtures gives some credence to the manufacturers' claims and goes part of the way towards validating their use against certain conditions such as oxidative stress, HIV/AIDS proliferation and some mental conditions. It is however, desirable to carry out further studies to determine the effects of mixing plant species/parts in one mixture on the antioxidant potency as well as isolating active constituents from the herbal mixtures.

In the first part of this study a general overview on the hypertrophic scar and keloid phenomena regarding history, epidemiology, histopathology and aetiology, in general, together with an essential fatty acid approach as basis for hypotheses of keloid formation and prevention are given. Upon reviewing the literature in planning a strategy for prevention and treatment of keloids, one encounters an overwhelming amount of hypotheses on this topic. Based on a preliminary study on total fatty acid compositions in keloids, compared with normal skin of keloid prone and non-keloid prone patients, there can be argued as follows: an essential fatty acid deficiency of precursors and inflammatory competitors for arachidonic acid may be a factor in the multifactorial aetiology of keloid formations, and apart from a local essential fatty acid deficiency in the wound area, nutrition may also be a contributing factor in rural black South Africans. To confirm or refute the stated hypotheses of the role of essential fatty acids in keloid formation and prevention (outlined in this part of the study), dietary questionnaires and blood (plasma and red blood cell) phospholipid analyses for general information and true fatty acid intake and metabolism, respectively, in the diets of these patients (outlined in part II of this study), as well as a lipid model for keloid formations regarding phospholipids, triglycerides, cholesterol esters and free fatty acids (outlined in part III of this study), are given. The purpose of this comprehensive fatty acid study was an attempt to assess the enigma surrounding keloids and to end the nightmare of the plastic and reconstructive surgeon, since these dermal tumours are notoriously recurrent., (Copyright 2000 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.)

Several genetic variants of transferrin can be separated by polyacrylamide gel isoelectric focusing. Studies by other workers have revealed that the genetic type Tf C2 has an increased frequency in certain malfunctions which are associated with the formation of free radicals, suggesting that the iron binding of Tf C2 promotes the formation of hydroxyl radicals. In our study population of 20 patients with Alzheimer's disease, 13 had the C2 genetic subtype. Since the frequency of C2 in the South African population is 0.136 (14%), this represents a significant increase (p < 0.005) in the appearance of this genetic subtype.