Position: Acting Director of the School of Natural Medicine
Tel: +27 (0)21 959 9599
Email: kleisegang@uwc.ac.za

Biography

Dr Kristian Leisegang is a senior lecturer and currently the Acting Director of the School of Natural Medicine (SoNM), University of the Western Cape (UWC). He obtained a M.Tech.Hom on 2007 from Durban University of Technology, and a PhD (MBS) in 2014 from UWC. He is a registered homeopathic practitioner with the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa, Department of Health, which has included clinical practice experience. As the coordinator of the clinical science training modules at SoNM, his teaching focus includes pathology, general medicine and clinical diagnostics, alongside research methodology, to undergraduate and postgraduate students. Postgraduate supervision includes a completed MSc student supervision, with ongoing MSc and a PhD projects. This research focuses is on obesity, metabolic syndrome and related phenomenon such as insulin resistance, chronic inflammation and oxidative stress within the context of male (patho) physiology and reproductive (dys)function. This extends to investigating various nutritional supplements, antioxidants and medicinal herbs as novel treatment strategies within this context.

Kristian has currently published numerous articles and book chapters in accredited, peer reviewed international journals and publications, and presented more than 17 oral and poster presentations at national or international scientific meetings, as well as been recognised with institutional and international awards. This is also reflected in a peer review expert for more than 20 international accredited journals. Kristian further obtained a postgraduate diploma in Higher Education Studies (teaching and learning) through the Department of Education, UWC, in 2015.

Additional recent training short courses include good clinical practice, values based leadership, and randomised clinical trials. Kristian is also a guest faculty member for teaching and learning and research collaborator for the American Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, USA. Kristian has further engaged professional community service previously, representing the Homoeopathic Association of  South Africa regionally and nationally, contributing articles on health and natural medicine to commercial publications, and representing UWC or HSA on television and radio formats.

Further information can be found at researchgate.net/profile/Kristian_Leisegang

Publications

Peer Reviewed Scientific Publications

• Leisegang K. Almaghrawi M, Henkel R. Obesity Induced Infertility is Improved by Nigella sativa oil and Metformin in Rats.  Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy [Journal IF = 4.59] [Provisionally Accepted]
• Agarwal A, Panner Selvam MK, Baskaran S, Finelli R, Leisegang K, Barb?ro?ie C, Pushparaj P, Robert K, Ambar R, Iovine C, Durairajanayagam D, Henkel R. A Scientometric Analysis of Research Publication on Male Infertility and Assisted Reproductive Technology. Andrologia. [Journal IF = 1.84] [Accepted and In Press]
• Agarwal A, Panner Selvam MK, Leisegang K, Finelli R, Barb?ro?ie C, Pushparaj P, Robert K, Ambar R, Iovine C, Durairajanayagam D, Baskaran S, Henkel R. Highly Cited Articles in the field of Male Infertility and Antioxidants: A Scientometric Analysis. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity [Journal IF = 4.58] [Submitted for Peer Review]
• Khalili M, Leisegang K, Majzoub A, Finelli R, Panner Selvam MK, Henkel R, Mojgan M, Agrwal A.  Male Fertility and COVID-19 Pandemic: Systematic Review of the Literature. World Journal of Men’s Health 2020 doi: 10.5534/wjmh.200134. Online ahead of print. [Journal IF = 2.26]
• Agarwal A, Majzoub A, Lam CC, Baskaran S, Panner Selvam MK, Ralf Henkel, Finelli R, Leisegang K, Sengupta P, Barbarosie C, Parekh N, Alves M, Ko E, Arafa M, Tadros N, Ramasamy R, Kavoussi P, Ambar R, Kuchakulla M, Robert KA, Iovine C, Durairajanayagam D, Jindal S, Shah R. Sperm DNA Fragmentation: A New Guideline for Clinician. World Journal of Men’s Health 2020 doi: 10.5534/wjmh.200128. Online ahead of print. [Journal IF = 2.26] [Accepted: In Press]
• Leisegang K, Sengupta P, Agarwal A, Henkel R. Obesity and Male Infertility: Mechanisms and Management Andrologia 2020;00:e13617. [Journal IF = 1.84]
• [Special Edition Invitation: An Update on Male Infertility: Factors, Mechanisms and Interventions]
• Leisegang K, Dutta S. Do Lifestyle Practices Impede Male Fertility? Andrologia 2020. e13595. doi: 10.1111/and.13595. [Epub ahead of print] [Journal IF = 1.84]
• [Special Edition Invitation: An Update on Male Infertility: Factors, Mechanisms and Interventions]
• Leisegang K, Henkel R, Agarwal A. Obesity and metabolic syndrome associated immune dysregulation and the impact of systemic inflammation on the male reproductive system. American Journal of Reproductive Immunology 2019;82(5):e13178. Doi: 10.1111:aji.13178. E-pub ahead of print. [Journal IF = 3.10]
• Agarwal A, Parekh N, Panner Selvam MK, Henkel R, Shah R, Homa ST, Ramasamy R, Ko E, Tremellen K, Esteves S, Majzoub A, Alvarez JG, Gardner DK, Jayasena CN, Ramsay JW, Cho CL, Saleh R, Sakkas D, Hotaling JM, Lundy SD, Vij S, Marmar J, Gosalvez J, Sabanegh E, Park HJ, Zini A, Kavoussi P, Micic S, Smith R, Busetto GM, Bak?rc?o?lu ME, Haidl G, Balercia G, Puchalt NG, Ben-Khalifa M, Tadros N, Kirkman-Browne J, Moskovtsev S, Huang X, Borges E, Franken D, Bar-Chama N, Morimoto Y, Tomita K, Srini VS, Ombelet W, Baldi E, Muratori M, Yumura Y, La Vignera S, Kosgi R, Martinez MP, Evenson DP, Zylbersztejn DS, Roque M, Cocuzza M, Vieira M, Ben-Meir A, Orvieto R, Levitas E, Wiser A, Arafa M, Malhotra V, Parekattil SJ, Elbardisi H, Carvalho L, Dada R, Sifer C, Talwar P, Gudeloglu A, Mahmoud AMA, Terras K, Yazbeck C, Nebojsa B, Durairajanayagam D, Mounir A, Kahn LG, Baskaran S, Pai RD, Paoli D, Leisegang K, Moein MR, Malik S, Yaman O, Samanta L, Bayane F, Jindal SK, Kendirci M, Altay B, Perovic D, Harlev A. Male Oxidative Stress Infertility (MOSI): Proposed Terminology and Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Idiopathic Male Infertility. World Journal of Men’s Health 2019;37(3):296-312. doi: 10.5534/wjmh.190055. E-pub ahead of print [Journal IF = 1.98]
• Baskaran S, Agarwal A, Panner Selvam MK, Henkel R, Durairajanayagam D, Leisegang K,  Ahmad M, Singh D, Khalafella K. Is there plagiarism in the most influential publications in the field of andrology? Andrologia 2019;51(10):e13405.  doi:10.1111/and.13405. E-pub ahead of print. [Journal IF = 1.45] 
• Baskaran S, Agarwal A, Leisegang K, Pushparaj PN, Panner-Selven MK, Henkel R. An in-depth bibliometric analysis and current perspective on male infertility research. World Journal of Men’s Health 2019. E-pub ahead of print. doi: 10.5534/wjmh.18011. [Journal IF = 1.98]
• Leisegang K, Henkel R. The in vitro modulation of steroidogenesis by inflammatory cytokines and insulin in TM3 Leydig cells. Journal of Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology 2018;16(1):26. doi: 10.1186/s12958-018-0341-2. [Journal IF = 2.89]
• Leisegang K, Henkel R,. Agarwal A. Redox regulation of fertility in aging male and the role of antioxidants: A saviour or stressor. Current Pharmaceutical Design 2017;23(30):4438-4450. doi: 10.2174/1381612822666161019150241 [Journal IF = 3.45]
• Leisegang K, Bouic PJD, Henkel RR. Metabolic syndrome is associated with increased seminal inflammatory cytokines and reproductive dysfunction in a case controlled male cohort. American Journal of Reproductive Immunology 2016;76(2):155-163. doi: 10.1111/aji.12529. [Journal IF = 2.92]
• Leisegang K, Henkel RR. The impact of male overweight on semen quality and outcome of assisted reproduction. Asian Journal of Andrology 2014;16(5):787. doi: 10.4103/1008-682X.133321. [Journal IF = 2.53]
• Leisegang K, Bouic PJD, Menkveld, R, Henkel RR. Obesity is associated with increased seminal insulin and leptin alongside reduced fertility parameters in a controlled male cohort. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology 2014;12:34. doi: 10.1186/1477-7827-12-34. [Journal IF = 2.41]
• Leisegang K, Udodong A, Bouic PJ, Henkel RR. 2014. Effect of the metabolic syndrome on male reproductive function: A case-controlled pilot study. Andrologia 2014;46(2) 167-176. doi: 10.1111/and.12060. [Journal IF = 1.63]
• Hoffman LC, Laubscher LL, Leisegang K. Nutritional value of cooked offal derived from free range rams reared in South Africa. Meat Science 2013;93(3):696-702. doi: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2012.11.041. [Journal IF = 2.23] 

Peer Reviewed Accredited Scientific Book Chapters 

• Leisegang K. 2020. Herbal Pharmacognosy. In: Herbal Medicine in Andrology. Ed: Agarwal A, Henkel R. Elsevier, Amsterdam, Holland: In Press (November 2020). ISBN: 9780128155653.
• Leisegang K. 2020. Western Europe: Pinnus pinaster and Urtica dioica. In: Herbal Medicine in Andrology. Ed: Agarwal A, Henkel R. Elsevier, Amsterdam, Holland: In Press (November 2020). ISBN: 9780128155653.
• Tambi I, Leisegang K. 2020. Overview on the Clinical Presentations and Indications. In: Herbal Medicine in Andrology. Ed: Agarwal A, Henkel R. Elsevier, Amsterdam, Holland: In Press (November 2020). ISBN: 9780128155653.
• Agarwal A, Leisegang K, Sengupta P. 2020. Oxidative Stress in the Pathology of Male Reproductive Pathology. In: Pathology: Oxidative Stress and Antioxidants. Ed: Preedy VR. Elsevier, Amsterdam, Holland: 15 – 27. ISBN: 9780128159729
• Henkel R, Leisegang K. 2020. Origins of Sperm DNA Damage. In: Male Infertility: Contemporary Clinical Approaches, Andrology, ART and Antioxidants, 2nd Edition. Ed: Parekattil SJ, Esteves S, Agarwal A. Springer, Berlin, Germany: 361-375. ISBN: 978-3-030-32300-4.
• Leisegang K, Henkel R 2020. Environmental Factors. In: Male Infertility: Contemporary Clinical Approaches, Andrology, ART and Antioxidants, 2nd Edition. Ed: Parekattil SJ, Esteves S, Agarwal A. Springer, Berlin, Germany: 361-375. ISBN: 978-3-030-32300-4.
• Leisegang K, Henkel R. 2019. Oxidative Stress: Relevance, Evaluation, and Management. In: Male Infertility in Reproductive Medicine. Ed: Rizk B, Agarwal A, Sabanegh ES. CRC Press Taylor and Francis Group, New York, USA: 119 – 128.  ISBN-10: 1138599298. 
• Leisegang K, Dutta S. 2019. Lifestyle Management. In: Male Infertility in Reproductive Medicine. Ed: Rizk B, Agarwal A, Sabanegh ES. CRC Press Taylor and Francis Group, New York, USA: 141 – 152.  ISBN-10: 1138599298.
• Leisegang K. 2019. Malnutrition and Obesity. In: Oxidants, Antioxidants and Impact of the Oxidative Status in Male Reproduction. Ed: Henkel R, Samanta L, Agarwal A. Academic Press, London, UK: 117 – 134.  ISBN: 9780128125014.
• Leisegang K. 2019. Life Under Aerobic Conditions. In: Oxidants, Antioxidants and Impact of the Oxidative Status in Male Reproduction. Ed: Henkel R, Samanta L, Agarwal A. Academic Press, London, UK: 3 – 8.  ISBN: 9780128125014.

Networks

Kristian has international collaborations with researchers from numerous countries, including Iran, Italy, India, Malaysia, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, United Kingdom and the USA. Most prominently, this includes research and teaching collaborations with the Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, USA.

Dr Xu Wang studied BSc Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) at Jining Medical University and completed his Masters in Medical Bioscience at University of the Western Cape in 2007. His Master’s Thesis was entitled: The antihypertensive effects of aqueous extract of Olea africana leaves. In 2001, he was employed as a Junior TCM Clinician at Yanzhou First People’s Hospital in China.

Dr Wang is a registered Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine Practitioner with the AHPCSA. His research interests focus on the antihypertensive and/or anti-diabetic effects of indigenous African herbs, as well as the comparisons and combinations of Africa-China herbs. He is currently working towards a PhD in Herbal Science related to anti-diabetic effects of wild African olive leaves. He was employed as an associated Lecturer in School of Natural Medicine at UWC in January, 2009.

During this period at UWC he has presented at the following conferences/congresses:

• IOCD Symposium 2011- African Plants: unique source of drugs, agrochemicals, cosmetics and food supplements (2011/01);
• The First China-Africa Development Forum for Chinese Medicine (2012/03);
• The Research Open Day of Community and Health Science Faculty (2012/10);
• The Research Open Day of Science Faculty (2012/10); South African Association of Herbal Practitioners Conference (2013/10);
• The Research Open Day of Community and Health Science Faculty (2014/10);
• Cape Town Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Symposium 2015 (2015/11);
• Shandong—Seminar on Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture (2016/10);
• Formally organised special purpose on acupuncture treatment for infertility (2017/04);

attended:

• HIV/AIDS Management Course for Healthcare Professionals (2012/07);
• Western Cape Youth Rehabilitation Centre (WCYRC) Symposium (2012/09);
• The seminar of Ayurveda and Natural Medicine (2012/09);
• The seminar of Interprofessional education and practice (2015/06);
• Ethics Workshop of Faculty of Community and Health Sciences (2016/09);
• First aid workshop level 3 (2017/07);

and poster was accepted by:

• The 8th conference of the Federation of African Immunological Societies (2012-12).

Dr Wang teaches TCM Diagnosis (CMA201), a focus on basic diagnoses mechanisms of diseases, and TCM Internal Medicine (CMA303), which focus on specific internal medicine diseases including etiology/pathogenesis, symptoms/signs, diagnosis, treatment principles and treatment methods.

Then in the fourth year he teaches TCM Gynaecology (CMA402), a focus on gynaecology diseases, and TCM Taichi (CMA405), a focus on Qigong/Taichi practice. For the fifth year, he teaches TCM Paediatrics (CMA502), which focus on paediatrics physiological and pathological characteristics, as well as specific diseases. He also supervises the Clinical Practice (CMA404 and CMA504), which offers senior students great opportunities to observe and practice in the Mitchell’s’ plain clinic and campus clinics.

Position: Phytotherapy Coordinator: School of Natural Medicine: Faculty of Community and Health Sciences
Tel: +27 (0)21 959 3886
Fax: +27 (0)21 959 1322
Email: jcampbell@uwc.ac.za

Biography

James Campbell completed a four year diploma in phytotherapy obtained from the College of Phytotherapy (then affiliated to the University of Wales), United Kingdom, which formed the basis of a passion for medicinal plants. He completed his MSc (Cum Laude) through the South African Herbal Science and Medicine Institute (SAHSMI), Faculty of Natural Sciences at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) and is currently busy with a PhD through the Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, UWC.

The topic for his master’s was “The impact of storage time and seasonal harvesting on biomarker levels of Lessertia frutescens” and at present he is investigating the impact climate change has on medicinal plants for his PhD studies.

He has been the Director of the School of Natural Medicine (SoNM) for ten years, as well as the co-ordinator of the phytotherapy programme since 2009. Having recently stepped down from the directorship to focus on professional and personal development, he remains the co-ordinator of the phytotherapy programme for the school. Balancing leadership of the school, the phytotherapy programme, full time lecturing and supervising at the clinics, serving on the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA), with private practice has been an enlightening, life changing and rewarding experience.

Hands down his favourite subject is materia medica, taught to the B Complementary Medicines (Phytotherapy) fourth and fifth year students, more recently becoming the lecturer for herbal medicine to the naturopathic fourth year students as well. Other focus areas are herbal pharmacology, herbal nutrition, preventative medicine, diet and lifestyle, environmental influences on plants and their constituents, as well as energetics. The ‘bigger picture’, the philosophy of the ‘whole is greater than the sum of its parts’ and wisdom from a diversity of ancestors - how does it all tie in to our physical, mental and spiritual well-being.

Publications

• Wang Heyu MA Xuesheng LI Chunna Campbell James. Optimum Extraction Process of Luteoloside and Oleuropein in Olea Europaea Subsp. Africana. Journal of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,18(5):72 [DOI?10.13194/j.issn.1673-842x.2016.05.023]

Position: Co-ordinator of Unani Tibb, School of Natural Medicine (CHS)
Tel: +27 (0)21 959 2615
Email: mahoosen@uwc.ac.za

Biography

Mujeeb Hoosen is a registered Unani Tibb practitioner. He is the coordinator, lecturer and a clinical supervisor of the Unani Tibb degree program at the School of Natural Medicine. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Complementary Health Sciences, a Bachelor’s degree in Complementary Medicine (Unani Tibb) and a Master’s degree in Medical Biosciences which focused on the immunomodulatory effects of African herbs. He is a current PhD candidate at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies of Children, Family and Society (CHS, UWC). His PhD study aims to develop guidelines for the inclusion of spirituality and spiritual care for Unani Tibb clinical practice. He currently serves as an expert member, co-rapporteur and peer reviewer to the World Health Organisation’s Benchmark Committee for the Training and Practice of the Unani Tibb profession. He has participated as a keynote speaker, invited guest speaker, scientific committee member, co-rapporteur, panel member, peer reviewer and resource person to several national and international scientific events. His research interests are natural medicine, Unani Tibb, family health, spirituality, spiritual care, illness management and therapeutics.

Publications

• Hoosen, M., Roman, N. V., Mthembu, T. G (2020) The Development of Guidelines for the Inclusion of Spirituality and Spiritual Care in Unani Tibb Practice in South Africa: A Study Protocol. Journal of Religion and Health (In Press)
• Hoosen, M., Roman, N. V., Mthembu, T. G (2020) The role of spirituality and spiritual care in complementary and alternative medicine: A scoping review. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science (In Press)
• Roman, N. V., Mthembu, T. G., Hoosen, M (2020) Spiritual Care -‘A Deeper Immunity’ -A response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine, 12 (1), a2456. https://doi.org/ 10.4102/phcfm.v12i1.2456
• Hoosen, M., Pool, E. J. (2019) An in vitro study to elucidate the effects of Septilin, Artemisia afra and Aspalathus linearis on immune  pathways- RAW 264.7 macrophages. International Journal of Health and Human Sciences Vol 3:3, 134-145 
• Hoosen, M. (2019) A Review article: The effects Aspalathus linearis (rooibos tea) on Nitric Oxide (NO) and Cytokine Activity. International Journal of Health and Human Sciences Vol 3:3, 150-157 
• Hoosen, M. (2018) A Review article: The Immunomodulatory, Nitric Oxide and Cytokine activity of Septilin. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 15:02, 172-177 
• Hoosen, M., Pool, E. J. (2018) An in vitro study to elucidate the effects of Septilin on immune pathways. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 15:02, 172-177 
• Hoosen, M. (2017) Temperament – an important principle for health preservation in Tibb an-Nabawi and Unani-Tibb. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science, Vol. 16: 04, 487-495  

Networks

• The World Health Organisation
• The Central Council of Research of Unani Medicine (Government of India)
• The South African Tibb Association
• The Ibn Sina Institute of Tibb