The in vitro effects of Rooibos and Black tea on immune pathways.

The in vitro effects of Aspalathus linearis (Rooibos tea) and Camellia sinensis (Black tea) on biomarkers of specific immune pathways were determined using whole blood culture assays. Stimulated and unstimulated whole blood cultures were incubated with tea extracts. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assays were used to screen spent culture medium for Interleukin-6, Interleukin-10 and Interferon gamma as biomarkers for inflammation, humoral immunity, and cell mediated immunity, respectively. Rooibos and Black tea addition to unstimulated whole blood cultures induced higher Interleukin-6, Interleukin-10, and Interferon gamma secretion. Addition of Rooibos tea to stimulated whole blood cultures induced higher Interleukin-6, lower Interleukin-10, and had no effect on Interferon gamma secretion. Black tea addition to stimulated whole blood cultures inhibited Interleukin-6, Interleukin-10, and Interferon gamma production. The data indicates that Rooibos and Black tea modulates immune function in vitro.