The Role Of Lycopene Supplementation In The Management Of Asthma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$332,875.00
Summary
Asthma is a significant and increasing health problem for Australia and is now listed as a National Health Priority Area. There is immense community interest in dietary factors affecting asthma. This project examines the potential for dietary carotenoids to be used to manage asthma. Carotenoids are antioxidants that are found in orange and red fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes, carrots and mangoes. Research suggests that dietary carotenoids may be protective against asthma symptoms and -or ....Asthma is a significant and increasing health problem for Australia and is now listed as a National Health Priority Area. There is immense community interest in dietary factors affecting asthma. This project examines the potential for dietary carotenoids to be used to manage asthma. Carotenoids are antioxidants that are found in orange and red fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes, carrots and mangoes. Research suggests that dietary carotenoids may be protective against asthma symptoms and -or onset. It is also likely that increasing intake of carotenoid-rich foods may be more effective than taking dietary supplements, as the key nutrients or combination of nutrients may not be known. This project will examine whether carotenoids such as lycopene can reduce the tendency of asthmatic airways to overreact to common triggers. It also investigates whether carotenoids can be used to prevent or reduce the severity of asthma attacks. The project will determine whether tomato juice or lycopene capsules are more effective in this role. This work will provide the necessary information to develop a large trial testing the ability of carotenoids to improve quality of life for people with asthma. While there is evidence to suggest that carotenoids may be helpful in asthma, the data to date is inconclusive. This study provides a scientific approach to evaluating the potential for carotenoids to be used as a treatment for asthma.Read moreRead less
Complementary Medicines Based On Propolis Produced By Honeybees From Australian
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$285,855.00
Summary
Propolis produced by honeybees is a very complex mixture and its chemical composition varies in relation to its floral source. To produce propolis honey bees collect leaf bud and flowerbud exudates also secretions exuded from wounds in plants. These materials have high antibiotic activity as they have a natural function to protect delicate growing or wounded plant tissue from attack from microorganisms and animals. Honey bees use propolis to sterilize the hive and to protect it against outside i ....Propolis produced by honeybees is a very complex mixture and its chemical composition varies in relation to its floral source. To produce propolis honey bees collect leaf bud and flowerbud exudates also secretions exuded from wounds in plants. These materials have high antibiotic activity as they have a natural function to protect delicate growing or wounded plant tissue from attack from microorganisms and animals. Honey bees use propolis to sterilize the hive and to protect it against outside intruders and infection and to seal cracks in the hive. Consequently, humans have made use of propolis since ancient time for medicinal purposes. Modern research shows that a valuable property of propolis is its immunostimulant activity, now widely used in preventive medicine to boost the immune system. Furthermore, its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are also believed to contribute to its current use in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). As part of research into the medicinal use of propolis produced in Australia, we identified two novel classes of biologically active constituents in Kangaroo Island (KI) propolis, which are for the first time identified to occur in propolis. Despite KI propolis being currently exported to Japan for use as CAM there is no study to determine its chemical composition or to evaluate its biological activities. Therefore we aim to research the KI propolis and evaluate its medicinal properties for use as CAM. Propolis from specific regions with defined floral sources and the identified constituents will be evaluated for their antioxidant property and protective activities against cell damaged after exposed to light source equivalent UV radiation of the sunlight with the aim to establish a defined propolis formula for topical use as CAM to prevent UV-induced skin cancers, known as melanoma, which is prevalent in Australia. This research will add value to a beekeeping product currently exported from KI and provide a health benefit.Read moreRead less