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| MEDICINES |
| Dr. Park's Program (BHNRC, ARS, USDA) is an unique research program to discover bio-active compounds from plants in order to prevent and treat various human diseases. Support and learn more about his program contact Dr. Park |
| Current Research |
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CELLULAR ABSORPTION AND MOLECULAR FUNCTIONS OF BIO-ACTIVE PHYTOCHEMICALS Jae B. Park, Ph.D., Phytonutrients Laboratory, BHNRC, ARS, USDA Numerous epidemiological studies have correlated human consumption of diets rich in fruits and vegetables containing high levels of phytochemicals to lower risk for specific chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Phytochemicals are widely distributed in plant-derived foods of the typical U.S. diet. These compounds have been reported to contribute to numerous purported beneficial health effects. However, understanding the specific biological mechanisms involved, relative to human diseases, presents challenging and researchable taskes. Without adequate definitive information on cellular absorption and molecular functions of phytochemicals, it is not possible to accurately assess their beneficial effects on human health. Moreover, optimal but safe intakes of phytochemicals have yet to be determined; these data must be generated before any recommendations of phytochemicals can be made. Therefore, a research project has been proposed to gain information on the cellular absorption and molecular functions of various phytochemicals, which might lead us to a better understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms and to elucidating their beneficial effects. The proposed research is particularly focused on phytochemicals from
several plants including wolfberry, safflower, coco and other plants with
potential health effects. Objectives 1. Purification and/or Syntheses of Bio- Active
Phytochemicals: |
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Bio-active compounds Under Current Investigation |
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Caffedymine, safflomide, analogues and others |
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Plants under Current Investigation |
| Brassica alba / Mustard | ||
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Plant Names | |
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| Brassica alba | ||
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| Mustard | ||
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| Brassica alba (syn: Sinapis alba) belongs to the family of Brassicaceae. The genus Sinapis consists of several species and the plants belonging to the genus contain numerous phytochemicals including glucosinolates. In traditional medicines, several Sinapis species (e.g. Sinapis alba, Sinapis arvensis, Sinapis nigra, Sinapis juncea) have been used as irritant, emetic, carminative, rubefacient, and stimulant agents for treating indigestion, arthritis, rheumatism, inflammation, and toothache. Brassica species are plant sources for preparing mustard, which is prepared by grinding Brassica seeds into a paste via mixing with must (an unfermented wine). There are several kinds of mustard: White Mustard (Brassica alba or Brassica hirta), Black Mustard (Brassica nigra), and Brown Mustard (Brassica juncea). In the culinary purposes, mustard is one of the oldest spices used popularly in preparing meats, sausages, processed vegetables, and relishes. | ||
| Camellia sinensis / Green Tea | ||
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Plant Names | |
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| Camellia sinensis | ||
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| Green Tea / Camellia sinensis | ||
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| Camellia sinensis belongs to the family of Theaceae, probably native to eastern and southern Asia. The genus Camellia consists of more than 200 species and the plants belonging to the genus contain numerous phytochemical including tea catechin. Camellia sinensis is the source for several types of tea; green, black and oolong teas. Camellia sinensis contains high levels of polyphenols with strong antioxidant activity (e.g., catechin, gallaogatechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, and apigallocatechin gallate). Antioxidant activity is believed to quench free radicals, contributing to beneficial effects on several human chronic diseases (atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, obesity, and cancer). | ||
| Carthamus tinctorius / Safflower | ||
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| Carthamus tinctorius | ||
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| Safflower, Hung Hua, Hung Lan Hua, Kasumba, Kesumba, Qurtum | ||
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| Carthamus tinctorius belongs to the family of Asteraceae. In traditional medicines, Carthamus species (e.g. Carthamus tinctorius, Carthamus lanatus, Carthamus arthamus, Carthamus oxycantha) may have been used for treating asthma, bronchitis, abdominal colic, jaundice, rheumatism and gynecological, heart and inflammation diseases. In Chinese medicine, Carthamus tinctorius is also known as "Hong Hua", whose flowers and other parts may have been used for treating blood stasis, and abnormal menstruation via promoting blood circulation. Besides the medicinal uses, Carthamus tinctorius has been used as food colorants and dyes in Asian countries, due to its flower's yellow and red colors. Carthamus lanatus is another herb used as an sedative and anti-cancer agents. Carthamus oxycantha has also used for treating ulcers and itches. | ||
| Carya illinoinensis / Pecan | ||
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| Carya illinoinensis | ||
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| Pecan | ||
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| Carya illinoinensis (common name: Pecan) belongs to the family of Juglandaceae, probably native to North America. Carya illinoinensis contain numerous phytochemicals including phytosterols. Carya illinoinensis is well known as pecan whose nuts are used as a culinary and confectionary ingredient in the United States, for example Pecan Pie and and Pecan Chocolate Bar (USDA®). In medicinal perspectives, Carya illinoinensis is believed to have cardiovascular protective activities. | ||
| Citrus aurantium / Orange Bitters | ||
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Plant Names | |
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| Citrus aurantium | ||
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| Orange Bitters, Chin Ch'Iu, Hua Chu Hung, Kuang Chu, Orange Bitters | ||
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| Citrus aurantium belongs to the family of Rutaceae. In traditional medicines, several Citrus species (e.g. Citrus aurantium, Citrus reticulata, Citrus bergamia, Citrus sinensis) may have been used as expectorant, laxative, carminative, stomachic, and hypertensive agents. In Chinese medicine, Citrus aurantium may have been used for treating food stagnation, dampness, phlegm and constipation via helping spleen functions. Citrus reticulata is another medicinal plant used in Chinese traditional medicine, whose immature peels has been used for enhancing liver functions and treating pain in chest, breast, hypochondriac region or hernia-like pain. Like Citrus aurantium, Citrus reticulata has been also used for treating food stagnation, dampness, phlegm and constipation. In fact, several Citrus species are popular fruits; Citrus aurantifolia (lime), Citrus grandis (pummelo), Citrus limon (lemon), Citrus paradise (grapefruit), Citrus sinensis (sweet orange).The extract of bitter orange (and bitter orange peel) has been used in dietary supplements as an aid to fat loss and as an appetite suppressant, although it is not recommended for use in isolation (in traditional Chinese medicine, it is always prescribed in concert with other support herbs). | ||
| Coffea arabica / Coffee | ||
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Plant Names | |
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| Coffea arabica | ||
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| Coffee | ||
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| Coffea arabica belongs to the family of Rubiaceae. The genus Coffea consists of several species (e.g., Coffea arabica, Coffea canephora, Coffea liberica, Coffea excelsa, Coffea stenophylla) and the plants belonging to the genus contain numerous phytochemical including caffeine. Commercially, Coffea arabica (Arabica coffee) and Coffea canephora (Robusta coffee) are the two most important species of coffee. In fact, Coffea arabica (Arabica coffee) represents more than 70% of world-wide coffee production. In United States, Kona coffee (a variety of Coffea Arabica) has been cultivated in Hawaii. Numerous studies suggest cautiously some beneficial health effects of coffee consumption on several human diseases such as inflammation, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, because some negative effects of coffee consumption on human health have been also reported. Currently, there is only limited amount of information available about phytochemicals found in coffee, related to their beneficial or risky effects on human health. | ||
| Crataegus pinnatifida / Hawthorn | ||
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Plant Names | |
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| Crataegus pinnatifida | ||
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| Hawthorn | ||
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| Crataegus pinnatifida belongs to the family of Rosaceae. The genus Crataegus consists of many species and the plants belonging to the genus contain numerous phytochemicals including crategolic acid. In traditional medicines, several Crataegus species (e.g., Crataegus maximowiczii, Crataegus pentagyna, Crataegus pinnatifida, Crataegus sanguinea, Crataegus laevigata, Crataegus oxyacantha, Crataegus monogyna) have been used as peptic, antiarrhythmic and hypotensive agents. | ||
| Linum ustitatissimum / Flaxseed, Linseed | ||
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Plant Names | |
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| Linum usitatissimum | ||
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| Flaxseed, Linseed | ||
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| Linum usitatissimum belongs to the family of linaceae. The genus Linum consists of more than 100 species and the plants belonging to the genus contain numerous phytochemicals including lignans. In traditional medicines, several Linum species (e.g., Linum usitatissimum, Linum stelleroides) have been used for treating constipation, ulcerative colitis, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. | ||
| Lycium spp. / Chinese Wolfberry | ||
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| Lycium barbarum, Lycium chinense Miller | ||
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| Chinese Wolfberry | ||
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| Lycium chinense belongs to the family of Solanaceae, found commonly in northeast Asia. The genus Lycium consists of more than 80 species and the plants belonging to the genus contain numerous phytochemicals including N-caffeoyltyramine. In traditional medicines, several Lycium species (e.g., Lycium chinense, Lycium barbarum, Lycium megistocarpum, Lycium ovatum, Lycium trewianum, Lycium turbinatum) may have been used for lowering blood pressure and glucose level, and enhancing immunity. In Oriental medicines, Lycium chinense may have been used as anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic, anti-ulcer, anti-cough, anti-wheezing, anti-pyretic, and anti-microbial drugs. Lycium barbarum (Gou Zi, Ningxia wolfberry) is another medicinal plant, used for increasing immunity and as an anti-cancer agent. In America, Lycium pallidum is found in some desert areas, and the plant is believed to be cultivated by a group of Native American. | ||
| Prunus persica / Peach | ||
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| Prunus persica | ||
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| Peach Kernel, Momo, Peach, Pecher, Pesco, Seftali Agaci, Sheftali | ||
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| Prunus persica belongs to the family of Rosaceae. The genus Prunus consists of many species including Prunus domestica (plums), Prunus avium (cherries), Prunus persica (peaches), Prunus armeniaca (apricots) and Prunus dulcis (almonds). The plants belonging to the genus contain numerous phytochemicals including cyanogenic glycosides (e.g., amygdalin , prunasin). In traditional medicines, Prunus persica seeds have been used for treating some types of women’s diseases and degenerative disorders such as hypermenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, and leiomyoma and infertility in some Asian countries. In Chinese medicine, Prunus persica may have been used as astringent, diuretic, sedative, and vermifuge drugs. | ||
| Theobroma cacao / Cocoa | ||
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| Theobroma cacao | ||
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| Cacao, Criollo, Cocoa Forastero, Cacao, Cacaoyer, Chocolate, Kakao | ||
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| Theobroma cacao (Cocoa) belongs to the family of Sterculiaceae, a bean-bearing tree cultivating in many tropical regions including Hawaii. The genus Theobroma consists of about 20 species and the plants belonging to the genus contain numerous phytochemicals including flavonoids, theobromine and caffedymine. Traditionally, Theobroma cacao has been believed to contain anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-heart disease effects. Theobroma cacao is also known as “cocoa”, and its fermented and roasted seeds have been used in manufacturing cocoa beverages and chocolate confectionary products. Currently, a great number of scientific research have been performed using phytochemicals found in the plant. | ||
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