Constance Rufaro Sewani-Rusike

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in adolescents living in Mthatha, South Africa

Objective Metabolic syndrome (MetS), defined as the clustering of three of five risk factors (hypertension, obesity, triglyceridemia, dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia), is being increasingly mentioned among children and adolescents despite there being no consensus on how it should be defined in this set of population. Furthermore, very few studies have focused on MetS in children and adolescents in sub-Saharan populations. This study, therefore, aimed at determining the prevalence of the MetS and contributing risk in adolescents living in Mthatha, South Africa. Research design and methods Four hundred and ten adolescents (age range: 13–18 years, both sexes) were recruited into this cross-sectional study. In addition to a lifestyle questionnaire being administered, anthropometric measurements (weight, height and waist circumferences) were carried out for each participant. Fasting venous blood was collected for lipid profile and blood glucose assessments. Blood pressure was also measured. MetS was assessed using appropriate diagnostic criteria for children and adolescents. Results Complete data sets were collected from 371 participants. Females showed an elevation in the risk factors for MetS. Of the 371 participants, 40.2% were overweight/obese (47.5% females; 22.5% males). MetS was diagnosed in 3.1% female participants compared with 6.0% in male participants. Conclusions More risk factors for the MetS are seen among the overweight/obese as compared to lean adolescents. Given the fact that childhood overweight/obesity often continues into adulthood, it is important to address the causes of increased risk for MetS earlier in life to prevent the development of disease in adult life.

Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Tagetes minuta L. in Eastern Cape, South Africa

The purpose of this study was to determine the chemical composition of essential oils from Tagetes minuta from the Eastern Cape of South Africa and evaluate their antioxidant potential for medicinal end use. The essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation method from fresh and dry parts (stem, leaves and flowers) of Tagetes minuta collected from Komga, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa and analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography (GC). This analysis has led to the identification of 12, 31, 10, 37, 4 and 39 compounds representing 99.16, 98.07, 98.86, 98.30, 100 and 97.66% of fresh stem (TMFS), dry stem (TMDS), fresh leaves (TMFL), dry leaves (TMDL), fresh flower (TMFF) and dry flower (TMDF) essential oil respectively. The major components were identified to be cis-β-ocimene (38.03%) for TMFS; caryophyllene oxide (18.04%) for TMDS; trans, cis-alloocimene (25.35%) for TMFL; isopropyl tetradecanoate (17.02%) for TMDL; cis-β-ocimene (38.14%), for TMFF and trans-β-ocimene (37.03%), for TMDF. The dry parts (TMDS, TMDL and TMDF) essential oil were evaluated for antioxidant activity using DPPH and FRAP bioassays. Standard equivalent values from DPPH assay were between 6.74 ± 0.27 and 18.7 ± 0.35 μg/mL AAE with scavenging ability in descending order: TMDF > TMDL > TMDS. Standard equivalent values from FRAP assay were between 26.30 ± 0.41 and 113.0 ± 1.2 μg/mL AAE with antioxidant activity in descending order: TMDF > TMDL > TMDS. These results suggest that T. minuta may be used as a potential natural source of antioxidant.