JR Centre for Phytogenic Drug Research

This JR Centre investigates plant-based, bioactive active ingredients for the prevention and therapeutic treatment of human diseases and for improving animal health and performance.

Phytogenic active ingredients are plant-based chemical compounds that can have a positive effect on human and animal health. It is currently estimated that more than 28,000 different plant species have corresponding medicinal effects, although only a fraction of these are known in today's Medicine or nutrition. In addition, there is usually a lack of detailed information about the potential molecular modes of action. Nevertheless, natural chemical compounds have long been an important source of new medicines and offer a unique structural diversity.

There is increasing scientific evidence that phytogenic food components or isolated phytogenic substances have a positive influence on human health when consumed as part of the daily diet. A large number of studies have shown that a diet rich in polyphenols can prevent cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, cancer-inhibiting activities as well as various effects against diseases such as Alzheimer's, obesity and diabetes have been identified. Nevertheless, the actual effect of phytamines on a molecular and cellular level often remains unclear. Further studies to clarify possible functional modes of action and to identify potential bioactive components or to assess the toxic potential are therefore of major importance.

Phytogenic substances have also gained enormously in importance as bioactive feed additives in animal breeding and fattening in recent years due to the ban on antibiotics as a growth-promoting feed additive. In this context, phytogenic substances are being discussed as a possible natural substitute. However, their modes of action and possible areas of application have not yet been fully researched.

Work at the JR Centre will focus on evaluating the potential role of phytogenic substances in food and food supplements for the prevention and treatment of important lifestyle diseases (obesity, diabetes) in humans and on investigating phytogenic substances as natural feed additives to improve animal health and performance in animals. Various in-vitro, in-vivo, in-ovo and in-silico test systems are used. In addition, a comprehensive chemical-analytical qualification and quantification of the phytogenic substances is carried out.

This project includes important research questions to lay the scientific foundations for the use of phytogenic substances in the prevention and selective treatment of human diseases and in the improvement of animal health and performance.