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Research On Herbs - It's Happening!
19
June 2000
by Wyn Snow, Managing Editor
SupplementQuality.com's current roundup of federally funded programs
While
academic and clinical research relating to herbs in the US is limited
when compared to pharmaceuticals, the last few years have seen a
dramatic increase in number. Even the National Institutes of Health,
through its National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
(NCCAM), has begun to fund herb research, breaking with a long-held
position. Now, more than two dozen federally-funded research projects
are currently investigating the use of several herbs, vitamins and
minerals for a variety of medical conditions.
NCCAM research
The
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
supports a wide range of research, training, network-building, and
information services. NCCAM funds clinical trials that investigate
the safety and efficacy (effectiveness) of various alternative therapies.
NCCAM also funds specialized centers
that focus on particular medical conditions.
Phase I clinical trials
These
studies evaluate the safety of a particular substance for people
with a specific medical condition. They are preliminary in their
conclusions, withholding findings on effect and efficacy until long-term
dosage levels and larger numbers of subjects can be reviewed in
Phase II and III trials.
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substance
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medical condition
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Principal investigator (and NCCAM research center or cofunding
organization, if applicable)
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ginkgo biloba, alpha-lipoic acid/essential fatty acids, and
vitamin E/selenium
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multiple sclerosis
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Barry Oken, MD, Oregon Health Sciences University (Oregon
Center for CAM in Neurological Disorders)
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herbal treatment
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hepatitis C in methadone maintained patients
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Thomas Kiresuk, PhD, Minneapolis Medical Research Foundation
(Center for Addiction and Alternative Medicine Research)
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Phase II clinical trials
This
type of research seeks to determine if a substance is clinically
active. (Does it have an effect on people?)
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substance
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medical condition
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Principal investigator (and NCCAM research center or cofunding
organization, if applicable)
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black cohosh
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frequency and intensity of menopausal hot flashes
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Fredi Kronenberg, PhD, Columbia University (Center for CAM
Research in Aging)
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black cohosh and red clover
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women's health, especially menopause
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Norman Farnsworth, PhD, University of Illinois at Chicago
(Botanical Dietary Supplements for Women's Health)
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ginkgo biloba extract, standardized
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prevent or delay cognitive decline in elderly patients
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Barry Oken, MD, Oregon Health Sciences University (Oregon
Center for CAM in Neurological Disorders)
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glutamine, Connective Tissue Nutrient Formula, and adaptogenic
herbs
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alleviating clinical signs and symptoms of adult periodontitis
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Alexander B. White, MD, Kaiser Foundation Research Institute
(Craniofacial Complementary & Alternative Medicine Center)
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hawthorn
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heart failure
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Steven Bolling, MD, University of Michigan (Complementary
and Alternative Medicine Research Center for Cardiovascular
Diseases)
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herbal antioxidants
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CVD in older blacks
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Robert Schneider MD, Maharishi University of Management (Center
for CAM, Minority Aging and Cardiovascular Disease)
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naturopathic medicine and traditional Chinese medicine
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tenderness and pain caused by TMD
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Alexander B. White, MD, Kaiser Foundation Research Institute
(Craniofacial Complementary & Alternative Medicine Center)
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vitamin E, high dose
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progression of carotid atherosclerosis (and pain) in patients
with coronary artery disease
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Ishwarlal Jialal, MD University of Texas Southwestern Medical
Center
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Phase III clinical trials
This
type of research investigates clinical efficacy (effectiveness for
treating a particular medical condition or achieving a specific
health goal).
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substance
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medical condition
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Principal investigator (and NCCAM research center or cofunding
organization, if applicable)
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ginkgo biloba
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dementia generally and Alzheimer's specifically
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Steven DeKosky, MD, University of Pittsburgh (cofunded with
the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the National
Institute on Aging, and the National Institute of Neurological
Disorders and Stroke)
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glucosamine and chondroitin
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knee pain from osteoarthritis
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Daniel Clegg, MD, University of Utah (cofunded with the National
Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)
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the "Gonzalez Protocol"
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inoperable pancreatic adenocarcinoma
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Karen Antman, MD, Columbia University, supplement to Cancer
Center Support Grant (cosponsored with the National Cancer
Institute)
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melatonin
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sleep disorders in Parkinson's Disease
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Glenna Dowling, RN, PhD, University of California, San Francisco
(cofunded with the National Institute of Nursing Research)
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omega-3 fatty acids
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recurrence of bipolar disorder
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Andrew Stoll, MD, McLean Hospital (cofunded with the National
Institute of Mental Health)
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St. John's wort
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major depression
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Jonathan Davidson, MD, Duke University (cofunded with the
National Institute of Mental Health and the Office of Dietary
Supplements)
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saw palmetto
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benign prostatic hyperplasia
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Andrew Avins, MD, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco
(cofunded with the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive
and Kidney Diseases)
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shark cartilage
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breast or colorectal cancer
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Charles Loprinzi, MD, North Central Cancer Treatment Group
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shark cartilage
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inoperable, non-small cell lung cancer
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Roy Herbst, PhD., MD, University of Texas/M.D. Anderson Cooperative
Research Base
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Other basic research
Finding
out if a substance is safe and effective is not the only kind of
research that's important to do. Sometimes we want to discover how
something works or find answers to other fundamental questions.
(Organizations in parentheses are participating NCCAM specialty
centers, when applicable.) Current studies in progress include . . .
Botanical
dietary supplements: Investigate the levels of active compounds
in several botanical supplements. David Heber, MD, PhD, University
of California, Los Angeles (UCLA Center for Dietary Supplements
Research on Botanicals).
Botanical
dietary supplements: Standardize certain supplements and elucidate
the structure of active compounds using bioassay-guided fractionation.
Norman Farnsworth, PhD, University of Illinois at Chicago (Botanical
Dietary Supplements for Women's Health).
Botanical
preparations: Study metabolism, absorption and toxicity of active
compounds and evaluate immunotoxicity. Norman Farnsworth, PhD, University
of Illinois at Chicago (Botanical Dietary Supplements for Women's
Health).
Botanicals
used for women's health: Isolate active compounds for structure
elucidation by bioassay-guided fractionation, and carry out biochemical
studies to determine the mechanism(s) of action. Norman Farnsworth,
PhD, University of Illinois at Chicago (Botanical Dietary Supplements
for Women's Health).
Chinese
herbal formula: Investigate bioactivity, mechanisms of action,
and potential risks. Fredi Kronenberg, PhD, Columbia University
(Center for CAM Research in Aging).
Green
tea extract and soy: Do they help stop tumor growth? David Heber,
MD, PhD, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA Center for
Dietary Supplements Research on Botanicals).
Herbal
combination with immuno-modulatory properties: Determine mechanism
of action. Brian Berman, MD, University of Maryland (Center for
Alternative Medicine Research of Arthritis).
Herbal
remedies and liver disease: Determine the relative effectiveness
of several herbal remedies and the mechanisms by which they may
be inhibiting liver injury and fibrosis. Mark Zern, MD, Thomas Jefferson
University.
Melatonin:
Define the physiological role of melatonin receptors in cerebral
blood flow. Mohan Viswanathan, PhD, Children's Research Institute.
Oriental
medicines and neurology: Establish mechanism(s) of neuroprotection
demonstrated by isolates of Panax ginseng, Cynanchum wilfordii,
and Scrophularia buergeriana. The study also addresses issues involved
in drug delivery across the blood brain barrier. Tae H. Oh, PhD,
University of Maryland.
Oxidative
cell injury and psychosis: Investigate if increased oxidative
cell injury exists at the onset of psychosis and if continued injury
contributes to deterioration in some patients. Sahebarao Mahadik,
PhD, Medical College of Georgia.
St.
John's wort: Develop a St. John's wort product that can be manufactured
in a standardized and reproducible manner. Trevor P. Castor, PhD,
Aphios Corp.
St.
John's wort: What are its hypothalamic effects? David Heber,
MD, PhD, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA Center for
Dietary Supplements Research on Botanicals).
Yeast-fermented
rice: What is its mechanism of reducing cholesterol levels?
David Heber, MD, PhD, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA
Center for Dietary Supplements Research on Botanicals).
Postdoctoral fellowships
NCCAM
postdoctoral fellowships seek to develop a cadre of investigators
who can conduct rigorous CAM research.
Ginseng's
Effects on MRNA Profiles in a Diabetes-2 Model: Study effects
of herbal medicine on diabetes and metabolism, effects of complementary
intervention (including diet and exercise), and molecular biology
techniques on the control of gene expression. Shujia Pan, PhD, University
of Texas at Austin.
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