The National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) has added three new Centres of Excellence for Research on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) to its centres programme.
These centres will explore the biological effects of a number of plant-derived compounds and preparations found in CAM products, such as dietary supplements, on pancreatic diseases, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, and Alzheimer's disease. NCCAM, a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is the lead Federal agency for research on complementary and alternative medicine, said a press release.
The Centres of Excellence apply cutting-edge technology to basic and clinical research on a wide range of CAM practices and products, and are one part of NCCAM's larger research centres program. The program also includes Developmental Centres for Research on CAM, which are partnerships between CAM institutions and established research institutions to conduct exploratory research, and International Centres for Research on CAM, which are collaborations of US and foreign teams studying traditional medical systems.
"The addition of these centres increases the robustness of our Centres of Excellence research programme and confirms our continuing commitment to rigorous CAM research. These multidisciplinary research teams will work to uncover new insights or novel treatments for health conditions that affect many people. The science conducted will be key to understanding what CAM approaches may or may not work and informing the integration of effective CAM practices into the health care delivery system," said, Ruth L. Kirschstein, M.D., Acting Director, NCCAM.
Ucla Centre Of Excellence In Pancreatic Diseases will study plant-derived compounds found in a variety of dietary and herbal supplements and traditional herbal medicines, including antioxidants such as curcumin (a component of the spice turmeric) and lycopene (the component that gives tomatoes their color), and preparations of green tea and "Scutellaria baicalensis" (a plant used in traditional Chinese medicine). Using animal models, the investigators will study the mechanisms and effects of these plant compounds on the prevention and/or treatment of pancreatic cancer and pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), said the press note.
Centre for CAM research on autoimmune and inflammatory diseases will focus on the effects of plant and herbal products on preventing or arresting inflammation in diseases caused by immune system breakdown. Using an animal model, researchers will investigate the mechanisms by which resveratrol, a compound found in the skin of red grapes, might aid in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. The centre will also examine anti-inflammatory mechanisms of the herb American ginseng in colitis and the actions of a compound from hemp in treating autoimmune hepatitis.
Protective roles of grape-derived polyphenols in alzheimer's disease will conduct preclinical studies to identify natural compounds extracted from grapes, known as polyphenols that might have a protective role in Alzheimer's disease. Using an animal model, the research team will then investigate the biological mechanisms by which these grape-derived compounds may affect changes in the brain that are characteristic of Alzheimer's disease and associated with cognitive decline, the company said.
These centre grants, which provide 5 years of support, bring the total number of Centers of Excellence for Research on CAM to 11. The existing Centers of Excellence look at a range of CAM practices and products, such as acupuncture and meditation.
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine's mission is to explore complementary and alternative medical practices in the context of rigorous science, train CAM researchers, and disseminate authoritative information to the public and professionals.