Browsing Faculty of Natural Science by Author "Dept. of Medical BioSciences"
Now showing items 1-20 of 29
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The antihypertentive effect of aqueous extract O Africana leaves
Wang, Xu (University of the Western Cape, 2007)The incidence of cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, is on the increase worldwide. Medicinal plants played an important role in the treatment of hypertension for centuries. Very few scientific studies have, ... -
Apoptotic markers in ejaculated human spermatozoa
Brooks, Nicole Lisa (University of the Western Cape, 2005)The role of male germ cell death in spermatogenesis is an important one as it removes dysfunctional or genetically damaged germ cells and is necessary to maintain an optimal germ cell to Sertoli cell ratio. The formation ... -
Aspects of the interrelation between hypertension and insulin resistance
Osuafor, Godswill Nwabuisi (University of the Western Cape, 2009)Conclusion of this study: These data suggest that 6 weeks of high-fat feeding induces hypertension but does not produce obesity, dyslipidemia and insulin resistance. However, this model may be useful in studying vascular ... -
An assessment of medicinal hemp plant extracts as natural antibiotic and immune modulation phytotherapies
Case, Olivia Hildegard (University of the Western Cape, 2005)This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of medicinal hemp plant extracts to determine the antibacterial effects of indigenous Sansevieria species and exotic Cannabis sativa phytotherapy varieties. This study ... -
Assessment of the biological quality of raw and treated effluents from three sewage treatment plants in the Western Cape, South Africa
Hendricks, Rahzia (University of the Western Cape, 2011)The aim of this study was to compare the water quality of raw wastewater and treated sewage effluents from three different sewage treatment plants in the Western Cape, South Africa. The treatment plants investigated are ... -
Cloning and characterization of the human coronavirus NL63 nucleocapsid protein
Berry, Michael (University of the Western Cape, 2011)The human coronavirus NL63 was discovered in 2004 by a team of researchers in Amsterdam. Since its discovery it has been shown to have worldwide spread and affects mainly children, aged 0-5 years old, the immunocompromised ... -
Cloning and expression of the M-gene from the human coronavirus NL-63 in different expression systems
Lubbe, Lizel (University of the Western Cape, 2008)Respiratory tract infections are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality across the world. This is especially true for infants, young children, the elderly and the immunocompromised. The strain placed on ... -
Cloning of Human Coronavirus NL-63 ORF3, M and E genes for antibody production
Fisher, Randall Graeme (University of the Western Cape, 2010)Human Coronavirus NL-63 is a respiratory virus with a high incidence rate, causing mild respiratory infections in children under the age of 18. The outbreak of Sever Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003 sparked increased ... -
Effect of basella alba and hibiscus macranthus on tm4 sertoli cell functions
Opuwari, Chinyerum (University of the Western Cape, 2009)Basella alba (BA) and Hibiscus macranthus (HM) are used by traditional healers in Cameroon to treat male sexual fertility problems. Previous studies showed that in vivo administration of the leaf extracts of both plants ... -
The effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormones (GnRH) I & II on sperm motility and acrosome status of the Vervet monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops) in vitro
De Villiers, Charon (University of the Western Cape, 2006)Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) is a hypothalmic decapeptide, which regulates mammalian gonadotropin secretions by binding to specific, high affinity receptors in the pituitary. Two forms of GnRH (GnRH I and GnRH II) ... -
Effect of tea and herbal infusions on mammalian reproduction and fertility
Opuwari, Chinyerum Sylvia (University of the Western Cape, 2013)Camellia sinensis (tea) and Aspalathus linearis (rooibos) may improve reproductive function owing to their antioxidant properties. To test this hypothesis, male and female rats were given 2% and 5% green tea (Gt), black ... -
The effects of artificial and natural sweeteners on various physiological systems
Rahiman, Farzana (University of the Western Cape, 2011)This study aimed to investigate the effects of commercially available natural (sugar cane molasses, white sugar and brown sugar) and artificial (Canderel, Equal, Natreen, Sweetex, Splenda and Swheet) sweeteners on various ... -
The efficiency of drinking water treatment plants in removing immunotoxins
Malan, Cheryl (University of the Western Cape, 2010)The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of water treatment processes of two drinking water plants to remove immunotoxins and steroid hormones. Raw and treated drinking water was screened for effects on ... -
Expression of human coronavirus NL63 and SARS-CoV nucleocapsid proteins for antibody production
Mnyamana, Yanga Eddie (University of the Western Cape, 2012)Human Coronaviruses (HCoVs) are found within the family Coronaviridae (genus, Coronavirus) and are enveloped, single-stranded, positive-sense RNA viruses. Infections of humans by coronaviruses are not normally associated ... -
Fatty acids as cancer preventive tools in the dietary modulation of altered lipid profiles associated with hepatocarcinogenesis
Abel, Stefan (University of the Western Cape, 2005)This thesis consists of a brief description on cancer, carcinogenesis, the changes in the type and level of dietary fat available in our diets over time and association with the development of certain diseases. The main ... -
The implementation of in vitro assays to screen environmental samples for male reproductive toxicity
Ebrahim, Mozaffar (University of the Western Cape, 2010)Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) are exogenous compounds/chemicals which interfere with, or have adverse effects on the production, distribution and function of natural hormones, thereby affecting normal endocrine ... -
In vivo effects of crinum macowanii on the rat cardiovascular system
Persson, Kirstin Gracia (University of the Western Cape, 2007)Crinum macowanii (C. macowanii) (Amaryllidacea) as authenticated by Mr. F. Weitz at the Herbarium, University of the Western cape, is widely used a traditional remedy and is thought to have therapeutic value (Fennell and ... -
The influence of maternal nicotine exposure on selected glycolytic and cytochrome P450 enzymes in developing neonatal rat lung
Gamieldien, Kareemah (University of the Western Cape, 2005)The structural and functional integrity of a developing and maturing fetal and neonatal lung is critically dependent on carbohydrate metabolism. The energy derived from carbohydrate metabolism is utilized during the processed ... -
An investigation into the effect of maternal exposure to nicotine and copper on neonatal lung development
Windvogel, Shantal Lynn (University of the Western Cape, 2006)In the 20th century, where tobacco smoking continues to be the leading preventable cause of death, an alarming number of people continue to smoke, despite awareness of the implications of exposure for themselves and those ... -
Maternal nicotine expose during gestation and lactation induce premature aging of the lungs of the offspring
Mutemwa, Muyunda (University of the Western Cape, 2009)Tobacco smoking remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Despite all the efforts made by governments, researchers and communities to educate women about the dangerous effects of tobacco smoke and nicotine, ...