eMaxHealth.com, NC
05-04-07
NIH To Study Botanicals Used In Dietary Supplements
Dietary Supplements
The Office of Dietary Supplements announced a grant to Iowa State University
to study botanicals used as ingredients in dietary supplements.
A multidisciplinary research team will study Hypericum (St. John's wort), Prunella
(Self-heal), and several types of Echinacea (for example, Purple Coneflower) for
their anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties. The center will be headed by Dr.
Diane Birt, Distinguished Professor at Iowa State University, and will bring
together researchers from ISU, the University of Iowa and Yale University.
"The work of all of the NIH-sponsored botanical research centers has proven to
be important in advancing science in this area. We expect that this center at Iowa
State University and the University of Iowa will continue to provide new insights
into factors that can influence levels of bioactive components in plants and
thereby modify the biological effects of botanicals used in dietary supplements,"
said Paul Coates, Ph.D., Director of ODS.
NIH currently funds six dietary supplement research centers focused on
botanicals. Scientists within these centers emphasize basic and preclinical
research of potential benefit to human health. The studies at ISU will focus on
identifying compounds and chemical profiles for anti-viral and anti-inflammatory
activities and complement research at other centers that are studying the
botanicals and inflammation. In recent years, inflammation has been identified as
a common denominator of a number of chronic diseases, such as heart disease.
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) at
NIH will co-fund the Iowa center. "Given that millions of Americans are using
natural products, this research center will join several other NIH-funded botanical
centers in conducting key research to determine whether and by what
mechanisms botanicals may serve as effective treatments or preventive
approaches," said Ruth L. Kirschstein, M.D., Acting Director of NCCAM.
The Office of the Director, the central office at NIH, is responsible for setting
policy for NIH, which includes 27 Institutes and Centers. This involves planning,
managing, and coordinating the programs and activities of all NIH components.
The Office of the Director also includes program offices which are responsible for
stimulating specific areas of research throughout NIH.
The Office of Dietary Supplements was established in 1995 as a result of the
Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act. The mission of ODS is to
strengthen knowledge and understanding of dietary supplements by evaluating
scientific information, stimulating and supporting research, disseminating
research results, and educating the public to foster an enhanced quality of life
and health for the U.S. population.
The mission of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
is to explore complementary and alternative medical practices in the context of
rigorous science, train CAM researchers, and disseminate authoritative
information to the public and professionals.