南非紅茶為豆科植物南非紅茶Aspalathus linearis (Barm.f.) R. Dahlgren的葉與小枝，其發(fā)現(xiàn)和應用已有悠久的歷史。南非紅茶富含多酚類物質，現(xiàn)代藥理研究表明該茶對抗氧化、心血管疾患，腫瘤防治，免疫調節(jié)、控制糖尿病及其并發(fā)癥，延緩衰老和治療腸胃道系統(tǒng)疾患方面均有作用。對南非紅茶的現(xiàn)代研究進行歸納和整理，為進一步研究開發(fā)預防慢性代謝性疾病的產(chǎn)品提供借鑒。

Aspalathus linearis (rooibos tea) is originated from the leaves and branchlets of Aspalathus linearis, and it has been discovered and used for a long history. Rooibos tea is rich in polyphenols, and modern pharmacological researches suggest that it is widely used in anti-oxidation, cardiovascular disease, tumor prevention, immunomodulation, diabetes and its complications controlling, anti-aging, and gastrointestinal disorders, and so on. In the present review, we summarize the recent research progress in rooibos tea so as to provide a clue for the research and development of the chronic metabolic disease.

國家自然科學基金面上資助項目（81274188）