Dietary Supplement Research Centers: Botanicals
RFA: OD-04-002
Letter of Intent Receipt Date: May 18, 2004
Receipt Date: June 15, 2004
Summary
The ODS, NCCAM, and NIEHS invite applications to support research
centers of excellence which will (1) promote interdisciplinary
collaborative study of botanicals, particularly those that are found as
ingredients in dietary supplements and (2) conduct research of high
potential for being translated into practical benefits for human health.
Background
Botanical ingredients in dietary supplements are derived from two
primary sources: traditional herbal medicines (e.g., St. John's wort,
valerian, ginkgo, chamomile) and foods (e.g., soy, cranberry, broccoli,
garlic). Both of these contain bioactive constituents with potential
health promoting properties. Despite widespread use of dietary supplements
with botanical ingredients and promising science, biomedical research
in this area has been relatively limited and unfocused. As a consequence,
efficacy and safety of many widely used botanical ingredients have not
been adequately evaluated. Before these issues can be addressed, high
quality basic and mechanistic research and early phase clinical
studies are needed.
Objectives of the Research Program
1. Build collaborative research teams that will advance the basic
science to inform clinical studies; the following activities are
emphasized
- Characterize the chemical composition of
botanicals and study their biological effects to provide better predictions
of safety and efficacy in humans
- Expand the research base via development
and improvement of preclinical model systems (e.g. in vitro and in vivo)
that will inform clinical studies
2. Cultivate the use of contemporary technologies and innovative
approaches (e.g., mass spectrometry, bioimaging, genomics, proteomics,
metabolomics, bioinformatics, systems biology) in botanical research
3. Conduct clinical studies such as PhaseI/II trials (Optional)