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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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ISOLATION/SYNTHESES, 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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Plants under Current Investigation |
| Allium sativum / Garlic | ||
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Plant Names | |
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| Allium sativum | ||
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| Garlic | ||
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| Allium sativum (Garlic) belongs to the family of Liliaceae, a famous bulbous medicinal plant. Allium genus consists of more than 500 species widely found in the northern hemisphere. The plants belonging to the genus contain numerous phytochemicals including phenolics (e.g., p-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, trans-coumaric acid; trans-ferulic acid;), flavonoids (e.g., isoliquiritigenin, isoliquiritigenin-4-O-glucoside), terpenoids (e.g., furostanol saponins, macrostemonosides), sulfur containing comounds (e.g., Allicin, S-alk(en)yl-L-cysteine) and others. In traditional medicines, several Allium species (e.g., Allium chinense, Allium odorum, Allium sativum, Allium tuberosum, Allium uliginosum, Allium fistulosum, Allium porrum) may have been used for treating pain, diarrhea, hematemesis, diabetes, asthma, cough and tumor. In Oriental medicines, Allium sativum have been used as anti-hypertensive, cardiactive, anti-thrombotic, anti-cholesterol, carminative, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-mutagenic, and anti-neoplastic drugs. In culinary purposes, garlic is a well-known old spice popularly used in preparing many dishes such as poultry, steak and fish. If cooked properly, a typical raw garlic smell is minimized and a rather slightly sweet flavor and gummy taste emerge, which can be utilized as an essence in preparing many special dishes. | ||
| 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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Plant Names | |
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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. The genus Carthamus consists of several species and the plants belonging to the genus contain numerous phytochemicals including phenolics, flavonoids (e.g., kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside, quercetin 3-O-glucoside), cartharmin, safflower yellow A, quinochalone, safflomin, cartorimine, and alkaloids (e.g., N-[2-(5-hydroxy-1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl]ferulamide, N,N'-[2,2'-(5,5'-dihydroxy-4,4'-bi-1H-indol-3,3'-yl)diethyl]- di-p-coumaramide, N-[2-[5-(beta-D-glucosyloxy)-1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl]- p-coumaramide). In traditional medicines, Carthamus species (e.g., Carthamus tinctorius, Carthamus lanatus, Carthamus arthamus, Carthamus oxycantha) have been used for treating asthma, bronchitis, abdominal colic, jaundice, rheumatism, osteoporosis and others including gynecological, heart and inflammation diseases. In Oriental medicines, Carthamus tinctorius may have been used for treating blood stasis, and abnormal menstruation via promoting blood circulation. In culinary purposes, Carthamus tinctorius has been also used as food colorants and dyes in Asian countries, due to its flowers yellow and red colors. Also, Carthamus tinctorius is occasionally used as an inexpensive substitute for saffron crocus (Crocus sativus). | ||
| Carya illinoinensis / Pecan | ||
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Plant Names | |
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| Carya illinoinensis | ||
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| Pecan | ||
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| Carya illinoinensis (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 reticulata / Tangerine | ||
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Plant Names | |
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| Citrus reticulata | ||
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| Tangerine, Mandarin Orange | ||
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| Citrus reticulata belongs to the family of Rutaceae. The genus Citrus consists of many species and the plants belonging to the genus contain numerous phytochemical including limonoids. 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 reticulate is also known as " Chen Pi ", 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, obesity, dampness, phlegm and constipation. | ||
| 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. | ||
| Cymbopogon citratus / Lemon Grass | ||
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Plant Names | |
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| Cymbopogon citratus | ||
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| Lemon Grass | ||
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| Cymbopogon citratus (lemon grass) belongs to the family of Poaceae (Graminaceae), a tall perennial tropical grass cultured in almost all tropical and subtropical countries as a source of essential oil. The genus Cymbopogon consists of more than 20 species and the plants belonging to the genus contain numerous phytochemicals including chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, c-glycosyflavonoids, Isoorientin, isoscoparin, swertiajaponin, orientin, geranial, geraniol, limonene, citronellal, myrcene, (+)-cymbodiacetal, saponins, alkaloids, and others. In traditional medicines, several Cymbopogon species (e.g., Cymbopogon citratus, Cymbopogon martini, Cymbopogon distans, Cymbopogon goeringii, Cymbopogon nardus) have been used as anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, insect repellent, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anxiolytic, hypnotic, anticonvulsant and sedative agents. In Oriental medicines, Cymbopogon citratus may have been used as antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agents for treating bloody urine and fever. In many countries, the tea made of Cymbopogon citratus has been consumed due to its purported anxiolytic and sedative activities, maybe calming the central nervous system. Also, lemon grass oil has been used for treating numerous disease conditions such as skin diseases (e.g., acne, athlete's foot, oily skin, scabies). In the culinary, lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) is widely used as an essential ingredient in Asian and other cuisines due to its keen lemon flavor, probably from geranial and neral. | ||
| Foeniculum vulgare / Fennel | ||
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Plant Names | |
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| Foeniculum vulgare | ||
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| Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare | ||
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| Foeniculum vulgare (Sweet Fennel) belongs to the family of Apiaceae (Ulmblliferae), a spice and medicinal herb cultivated in temperate regions. The genus Foeniculum consists of several species and the plants belonging to the genus contain numerous phytochemicals including anethol, dianethole, photoanethole, chavicol, estragole, dillapiol, dillapional, hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, chlorogenic acid, rosmarinic acid, scopoletin, bergapten, imperatorin, quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin, isorhamnetin, naringenin, eriodictyol-7-O-neohesperidoside, isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside, fenchone, thymol, carvacrol, 8-cineole, linalool, R-terpineol, geraniol, trans-thujan-4-ol, and others. In traditional medicines, several Foeniculum species (e.g., Foeniculum vulgare, Foeniculum officinale) have been used as carminative, digestive, lactagoge, and diuretic agents. In Oriental medicines, Foeniculum vulgare may have been used for relieving gas and bloating, and improving digestion via normalizing stomach functions. Although all plant parts of the fennel (roots, stalks and leaves) are edible, the seed of Foeniculum vulgare has been used as a well-known spice in preparing many dishes. Particularly, Foeniculum vulgare (Sweet fennel) is believed to have beneficial effects on enhancing digestive process in the gut, which can be otherwise very stressful. Therefore, plant parts have been used in making a herbal tea, whose flavor and taste can be enhanced by its sweetness. | ||
| Lycium spp. / Chinese Wolfberry | ||
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Plant Names | |
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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. | ||
| Panax ginseng / Asian Ginseng | ||
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Plant Names | |
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| Panax ginseng | ||
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| Asian Ginseng, Korean ginseng, Chinese ginseng | ||
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| Panax ginseng belongs to the family of Araliaceae. In traditional medicines, several Panax species (e.g., Panax ginseng (Ren Shen, Korean ginseng), Panax notoginseng (Tian Qi), Panax pseudoginseng, Panax quinquefolius (Xi Yang Seng, American Ginseng), Panax japonicum (Zhu Je Seng; Japanese ginseng)) have been used as tonic, stimulant, expectorant, and anti-stress drugs. Panax ginseng has been used to strengthen spleen functions, and as tonic, stimulant, and anti-stress drugs. The ginseng often indicates several species of the genus Panax. The two most commonly used Panax species are Panax ginseng and Panax quinquefolius. However, Panax ginseng is different from Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus). In Russia, Siberian ginseng has been considered as a substitute for Panax ginseng. However, phytochemicals between Panax and Siberian ginsengs are different qualitively, and quantitively. Radix Notoginseng (Panax notoginseng) is also a well-known traditional Chinese medicine used for promoting blood circulation, removing bloodstasis, inducing blood clotting, relieving swelling, and treating pain. Therefore, Radix Notoginseng has been used for treating coronary heart and cerebral vascular diseases. | ||
| Sesamum indicum / Sesame | ||
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Plant Names | |
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| Sesamum indicum, syn: Sesamum orientale | ||
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| Sesame | ||
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| Sesamum indicum (Sesame) belongs to the family of Pedaliaceae, an important plant cultivated in moderate and subtropical regions. Sesamum indicum contains numerous phytochemicals including phenolics (chlorogenic acid), lignans (sesamin, saminol, sesamolin), naphthoquinones (hydroxysesamone), anthraquinones (anthrasesamones), vitamins, fatty acids (linolein acid, palmitine acid, stearic acid, myristic acid) and others. In traditional medicines, Sesamum indicum has been used as nutrient, tonic, laxative, anti-hepatic, anti-hypertensive, emollient, demulcent, anti-diabetic and anti-oxidant agents. In Oriental medicines, Sesamum indicum may have been used as a nutrient tonic for treating degenerative neuritis and neuroparalysis. In culinary values, its seeds are used for sprinkling over cakes and breads, and its oil is commonly used for cooking. Particularly, black sesame seed and oil are used in Asian dishes. In fact, Sesamum indicum is one of the most important crops throughout the world and its seeds have been used for producing essential oils and many food products. | ||
| Theobroma cacao / Cocoa | ||
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Plant Names | |
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| Theobroma cacao | ||
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| Cacao | ||
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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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