Project 2

Anti-inflammatory activity of Echinacea, Hypericum, and Prunella species

Project leaders: Diane Birt, Marian Kohut, Michael Wannemuehler

 

Project Objectives

• This project focuses on understanding the balance between the anti- and pro-inflammatory activities of supplements derived from these genera, in cell and animal models and at the level of the cellular mechanisms of action.
• The overarching hypothesis under investigation is that the anti-inflammatory activities of Echinacea, Prunella and Hypericum are due to interacting constituents that shift the complex balance of immune-modulators toward an anti-inflammatory profile by modulating key signal-transduction pathways.
• The project is designed to assess the effects of these supplements on pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine/chemokine balance, in cultured cell populations and in the presence and absence of antigen stimulation.
• It will also examine the role of the supplements in minimizing immunopathology and inflammation in established animal models of respiratory viral infection and inflammatory disease, as well as evaluating their effects on cellular signaling pathways that are important in inflammation.

Office closed during semester break

The Botanical Center's administrative office will be closed December 24 - January 3, in accordance with Iowa State University's semester break recommendation. Normal office hours will resume on Monday, January 4, 2010.

 

News Archive