Study to determine effectiveness, dosages of herbal medicines

The Arizona Board of Regents approved a study Thursday to look at the anti-inflammatory qualities of three plants thought to be herbal remedies for certain diseases.

Proof that herbal medicine is an effective anti-inflammatory could lead to new breakthroughs for treating diseases like arthritis and asthma.

Such breakthroughs could be especially valuable in treating the growing "baby boomer" generations, said Barbara Timmermann, director of the Arizona Center for Phytomedicine Research.

Researchers from the colleges of Medicine, Pharmacy and Agriculture and Life Sciences have been conducting an ongoing study of ginger, turmeric and boswellia plants native to Asia and India since September 2000.

They are currently working to break down the hundreds of compounds inside each plant to analyze which chemicals comprise them. Within the next three years, they will examine how the herbs interact with the body in animals and eventually in humans, if the funding is available.

Timmerman said the early stages of research have yielded promising results.

"In our testing systems, we see an indication that (ginger, turmeric and boswellia) do have an anti-inflammatory effect," she said.

The link between herbal medicines and anti-inflammation has been established in a few informal studies and throughout old literature, Timmermann said.

Ten years ago, "botanical dietary supplements," according to the Food and Drug Administration, were a hot commodity. Unlike drugs, dietary supplements are not subject to stringent FDA regulations or quality control.

Up to this point, there has been no solid evidence that herbal drugs work, Timmermann said.

And lax regulations have meant herbal medicines have not been tested for interactions with prescription drugs, other herbal medicines or proper dosage.

In recent years, pharmaceutical companies have started blending different herbs. Though the "natural" labels often found on herbal medicine reaches consumers looking for something "wholesome" and safe, there is no solid research to back up these claims, Timmermann said.

ACPR is one of four research centers across the country that won a competition to conduct botanical supplement studies in addition to $8.9 million funding from the National Institute of Health.

UCLA, the University of Illinois-Chicago and Purdue University are conducting similar studies using different plants.