Local mediterranean food plants: potential new nutraceuticals and current role in the mediterranean diet

Objective

The EU health food market requires new products that can be used as high quality health food supplements (HFS). Many rural areas, esp. in the Mediterranean, have locally use traditional foods with potential positive effects on health and on ageing-related pathologies that now are only known by elderly people. The Consortium intends to study this local knowledge ethno botanically and contribute to the development of new HFS. We plan to evaluate >150 species of food plants in a variety of primary in vitro assays (incl.CRE for memory formation, PPAR mediated transcriptional activity for diabetes type II, a series of 4 cell-based antioxidant assays, inhibition of ecosanoid generation). Active samples will then be studied in mechanistic in vitro/in viva models focusing on the CNS and the cardiovascular system (CVS), e.g.: free radical generation, membrane fluidity, ant oxidative enzymes (CNS); vasorelaxant NO, vascular endothelial function (CVS).

Programme(s)

• FP5-LIFE QUALITY - Specific Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Quality of life and management of living resources", 1998-2002

Topic(s)

• 1.1.1.-1. - Key action Food, Nutrition and Health

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

THE SCHOOL OF PHARMACY, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON

Address

Brunswick Square 29-39
WC1N 1AX London
United Kingdom

Participants (6)

HAROKOPIO UNIVERSITY

Greece

Address

El. Benizelou Street 70
17671 Athens

JAGIELLONIAN UNIVERSITY

Poland

Address

Golebia 24
31 007 Krakow

JOHANN WOLFGANG GOETHE UNIVERSITAET FRANKFURT

Germany

Address

Marie-curie-strasse 9, Biozentrum N260
60439 Frankfurt Am-main

ROCHE VITAMINS LTD.

Switzerland

Address

Grenzacherstrasse 124
4070 Basel

THE UNIVERSITY OF MILANO

Italy

Address

Via Balzaretti 9
20133 Milano

UNIVERSIDAD DE MURCIA

Spain

Address

Avda. Teniente Flamesta 5
30003 Murcia