Botanical Research Centers: NIEHS Interests Elizabeth A. Maull, Ph.D. Program Administrator, NIEHS
Historical 1998 – National Toxicology Program held a Workshop on Herbal Medicines Recommendations –More research on herbals –A call for industry to identify and standardize product ingredients –Increase consumer education
National Toxicology Program Efforts Herbs and active or toxic ingredients of herbs nominated and selected for study by NTP Criteria – widespread human exposure Assessments preformed by NTP –Acute high dose effects –Chronic low dose effects –Reproductive toxicity –Neurotoxicity –Immunotoxicity
National Toxicology Program Efforts (cont.) Of special interest to the NTP: –Potential for herb/herb or herb/drug interactions –Responses of sensitive subpopulations Pregnant women Developing fetus Young Elderly
NIEHS Focus for BRC Recompetition Centers structured around a central scientific theme Research projects that complement ongoing National Toxicology Program efforts
NIEHS Focus for BRC Recompetition Agriculturally related issues Biologically related issues
Agriculturally Related Issues Identification of environmental factors influencing the concentration of bioactive constituents Localization of bioactive ingredients within the plant Development of “fingerprinting” technologies –Identify the plant source of a botanical –Detection of adulterations of botanicals
Biologically Related Issues Mechanisms of action of bioactive ingredients Identification of targets for botanicals (molecular, cellular, organ) Identification of interactions (antagonistic or synergistic) with other botanical components Potential botanical/botanical or botanical/drug interactions
Biologically Related Issues (cont.) Pharmacokinetic / pharmacodynamic analyses of botanicals Study the role of botanicals as regulators of genetic pathways or epigenetic events Identify and validate biomarkers of botanical intake or biological effects
Botanicals of Interest (NTP) server.niehs.nih.gov/htdocs/liason/factsheets/HerbMedFacts.pdf Aloe vera gel Black cohosh Bladderwrack Blue green algae extract Comfrey Echinacea purpurea Ephedra Ginkgo biloba extract Ginseng and ginsenosides Goldenseal Green tea extract Kava kava extract Milk thistle extract Pulegone Senna Thujone
Elizabeth A. Maull, Ph.D. Program Administrator Susceptibility and Population Health Branch National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences T: (919) F: (919) E: