COLUMBIA, MO. -- University of Missouri scientists celebrated their largest grant ever for medicinal plant research.
The National Institutes of Health awarded MU $7.6 million to establish a National Botanical Research Center.
Many plants have health benefits, but scientists still haven’t figured out why some herbs and crops are helpful or harmful. MU researchers are gathering more information about plants that are part of a flourishing dietary supplements industry. MU’s new botanical research center is one of five in the country selected to lead the research on plant medicines found at your local health food store.
“In the long term, we would like to be able to do this with many different dietary supplements that are botanical products sold in the health food stores to test whether or not they would help with a variety of diseases,” Principal investigator of the project and Center Director Dennis Lubahn said.
MU researchers are focusing on three diseases. Scientists hope plants can eventually cure prostate cancer, boost our immune systems and prevent damage from strokes.
A team of more than 20 University of Missouri human, animal and plant scientists are studying how botanicals use antioxidant properties to protect people from disease.
“This grant brings several investigators from multiple colleges and schools across the campus to study innovative research in plant sciences,” MU School of Medicine Dr. Jamal Ibdah said.
MU scientists are using soybeans to help prevent prostate cancer and elderberries to boost immune systems against infection and fighting cancer.
Americans spend $25 billion a year on botanical dietary supplements.
The Nutrition Business Journal forecasts supplements sales will be up by about 19 percent over the next five years.
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