Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa, syn. Cimicifuga racemosa) is a popular dietary supplement and currently one of the most promising alternative approaches to hormone replacement therapy for menopausal women. The root and rhizomes, often collected by wild-crafting, are typically used for botanical preparations. There are several species of Actaea that co-occur with black cohosh in the US, and some of these are difficult to differentiate. In addition, Asian Actaea species are being sold as black cohosh. Good botanical and manufacturing practices are hampered by the lack of adequate data about the botanical identification and phytochemistry of the different species in this genus. This study involves the examination of variation in Actaea at the species, population, and seasonal levels. We plan to use DNA and phytochemical fingerprinting methods to distinguish A. racemosa from closely related Actaea species by examining variation in eight North American and four Asian species by DNA barcoding, high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array (HPLC-PDA), and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) methods that we have developed in our laboratories. We will fingerprint the distinguishing features of 20 populations of black cohosh using phytochemical and DNA (amplified fragment length polymorphisms) methods. We will also examine the seasonal variation of black cohosh constituents. The data will be used to improve the identification of black cohosh. For both basic research on plant systematics and the safe use of black cohosh, it is important to develop reliable DNA and phytochemical fingerprinting methods to identify Actaea species. Our long-range goals are to improve the quality of black cohosh dietary supplements and understand the variation in Actaea species.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
1R21AT002930-01A1
Application #
7095402
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZAT1-DB (21))
Program Officer
Hopp, Craig
Project Start
2006-07-01
Project End
2008-06-30
Budget Start
2006-07-01
Budget End
2007-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
$171,290
Indirect Cost
Name
Herbert H. Lehman College
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
620128301
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10468
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Einbond, Linda Saxe; Su, Tao; Wu, Hsan-Au et al. (2007) Gene expression analysis of the mechanisms whereby black cohosh inhibits human breast cancer cell growth. Anticancer Res 27:697-712
Nuntanakorn, Paiboon; Jiang, Bei; Yang, Hui et al. (2007) Analysis of polyphenolic compounds and radical scavenging activity of four American Actaea species. Phytochem Anal 18:219-28
Jiang, Bei; Kronenberg, Fredi; Nuntanakorn, Paiboon et al. (2006) Evaluation of the botanical authenticity and phytochemical profile of black cohosh products by high-performance liquid chromatography with selected ion monitoring liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. J Agric Food Chem 54:3242-53