March 14, 2005 (Vol. 1, No. 4)

Lehman Professor Helps in Study of Medicinal Value of 85-Year-Old Root

Research Scientist Dr. Bei Jiang (left) of Columbia University's Rosenthal Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine shows Professor Edward Kennelly a black cohosh specimen. Dr. Jiang worked on the phytochemical analysis of the root in Professor Kennelly's laboratory.

A new study conducted by Biological Sciences Professor and Chair Edward Kennelly, in collaboration with researchers from the New York Botanical Garden and Columbia University, found that an 85 year-old specimen of black cohosh root still contains many of the naturally occurring chemicals that are believed to contribute to reduced menopause-related symptoms.

The results of the research, which were published in the latest issue of the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, suggest that in certain cases key plant compounds that are commonly thought to have a very short shelf life can indeed have a much longer life span, as appears to be the case with black cohosh.

A traditional Native American medicinal plant, black cohosh is most commonly used as a natural alternative to hormone replacement therapy. Clinical trails show that the root is effective in treating symptoms such as hot flashes, perspiration and mood swings in menopausal women.

The sample of black cohosh used was analyzed for its triterpene glycosidic and phenolic constituents–naturally occurring compounds thought to be responsible for the root's medicinal activity. A comparison of the sample with those of a recently collected sample showed similar properties, confirming the stability of the older sample.

Collected 85 years ago by the famous plant explorer and physician Henry Hurd Rusby, the root was part of the public exhibits of the New York Botanical Garden until the 1930s, when the powdered herbal material was placed in storage.

"It is fascinating to consider that a plant specimen almost a century old has a chemical composition almost identical to a modern sample," said Professor Kennelly, who carried out the phytochemical analysis in his lab. "We are interested in looking at the chemistry of other samples in the Rusby Collection in the future."

Black cohosh is one of the top ten best-selling botanical dietary supplements in the U.S. today. Recent safety concerns about estrogen replacement therapy have increased its popularity.

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