Ongoing projects
Unveiling the biological and chemotaxonomic potential of natural products from sea cucumbers.
Abstract
Sea cucumbers, a class of marine echinoderms, are traditionally used as a culinary delicacy, as well as in medicine, in particular in Asia. However, the scientific exploration of their potential health benefits lags behind. This project aims to bridge this gap by comprehensively investigating the bioactive constituents of commercially relevant Holothuria sea cucumber species. Objectives: - Perform a non-targeted chemical profiling of Holothuria extracts using UHPLC-HRMS. - Screen extracts for anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal, and cytotoxic activities. - Purify, isolate and elucidate the structures of promising bioactive compounds. - Assess the biotransformation of active constituents after oral intake using an in vitro gastrointestinal dialysis model (GIDM). - Identify potential marker compounds for the chemotaxonomic classification of Holothuria species. Significance: This research holds promise for: - Uncovering novel bioactive compounds from sea cucumbers with potential applications in functional foods or drug discovery. - Providing a scientific basis for the use of sea cucumbers in traditional medicine. - Developing tools to support the sustainable use of sea cucumber populations, more specifically by assessing the potential of chemotaxonomic classification. Methodology: Various chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques (flash chromatography, HPLC-DAD, semi-preparative LC-DAD-MS, NMR) in combination with a series of in vitro bioassays to assess anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antiviral and cytotoxic properties will be employed. Multivariate statistical analysis will guide the isolation and structure elucidation of bioactive compounds. Using the GIDM model, their stability and absorption characteristics in the gastrointestinal tract will be evaluated. Marker compounds for species identification will be identified through UHPLC-HRMS and NMR analysis. Expected Outcomes: - Identification and characterization of novel bioactive compounds from sea cucumbers. - Increased understanding of the gastrointestinal biotransformation of fractions and bioactive compounds from sea cucumbers - Initiating a robust approach for the chemotaxonomic classification of Holothuria species, which may contribute to the sustainable use and conservation of marine resources. This research project aligns with the NatuRAPT group's mission to explore natural products with human health benefits. It expands the group's expertise into marine bioactive compounds and paves the way for future research in this domain.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Tuenter Emmy
- Fellow: Despiegelaere Yoran
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Bioactive compounds and anti-inflammatory properties of Indonesian medicinal plant extracts
Abstract
Indonesia, home to the world's second-largest biodiversity, possesses around 40,000 endemic plant species, including 6,000 medicinal plants. Despite a long tradition of herbal medicine (Jamu), many medicinal plants remain underexplored, particularly for their anti-inflammatory properties. Chronic diseases such as arthritis, cancer, and diabetes are associated with inflammation, and a need for alternative treatments is still present. Previous research has identified some Indonesian plants with anti-inflammatory potential, but many remain unstudied. This project aims to investigate the anti-inflammatory properties of medicinal plants traditionally used in Jamu by evaluating their in vitro anti-inflammatory activity and gastrointestinal metabolism. The study will identify bioactive phytochemicals responsible for these effects and explore their formulation into herbal supplements or functional food products. The research will be structured into five key phases: (1) selection of 10-20 medicinal plants based on literature review, (2) assessment of their in vitro anti-inflammatory activity via inhibition of COX-1/COX-2 enzymes, NF-kB activation, TNF-α release, and NO formation, (3) phytochemical profiling and isolation of active constituents using HPLC-DAD, LC-MS and NMR spectroscopy, (4) development of analytical methods for quantification of active constituents and formulation of supplements, and (5) a comprehensive conclusion and future perspectives. Thus, this research will employ advanced chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques alongside in vitro assays. The findings will contribute to the knowledge of phytopharmacology, while supporting the preservation and commercialization of Jamu, which is part of Indonesian cultural heritage. Furthermore, this research will provide a scientific basis for developing evidence-based herbal medicines or food supplements, enhancing public health, and expanding the Indonesian herbal product industry.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Tuenter Emmy
- Co-promoter: Hermans Nina
- Fellow: Sanjaya Adhitya
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
The gut and bias benefits - the investigation on urolithin metabotypes. Producer strains isolation and multiomic-based description of ellagitannin biotransformation (UroAPROD).
Abstract
Ellagitannin-rich herbal remedies are used traditionally because of their anti-inflammatory activity. This is connected not to the ellagitannins themselves but to their metabolites produced by the gut microbiota. Urolithin A (UroA) is recognized as the most significant of all ellagitannins' metabolites. However, not everyone is able to have it produced in their gut. The UroA production is exclusive to the hosts of urolithin metabotype A (UM-A) and B (UM-B) and is most probably dependent on the gut microbiota composition and activity. Preliminary trials showed that UM-A hosts have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Moreover, the transition from UM-A to other metabotypes is also connected to aging, which might suggest losing certain beneficial abilities. The identity of microorganisms that differentiate UroA producers were not yet revealed. If recognized, new probiotics might be designed. Providing non-UM-A hosts with the possibility to produce UroA efficiently would grant them an advantage due to reports of a wide range of proven and indicated UroAs biological activities. The project aims to isolate, characterize and preserve bacterial strains able to produce UroA from the fecal samples of UM-A and UM-B donors. This will be possible due to innovative substrate conversion screening strategies and novel metabolomic and sequencing techniques utilization. Results will provide missing insights about urolithin metabotypes for further explanatory studies focused on the elucidation of UM-dependant features. Moreover, bioinformatic tools will be developed to obtain multi-omic descriptions of the studied processes, combining metabolomic and targeted metagenomic data. The project will deliver protocols and data analysis methods that will enable us to run advanced projects in the field of natural products biotransformation research. The established pipelines will be suitable also for dysbiosis, xenobiotic-microbiome interaction and pre- and probiotic design studies.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Pieters Luc
- Co-promoter: Hermans Nina
- Co-promoter: Laukens Kris
- Co-promoter: Tuenter Emmy
- Fellow: Popowski Dominik
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Award of scholarship for Ph.D.
Abstract
Broad objective: To document traditional medicines used in management of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and malaria in Tanzania, and evaluate their efficacy, safety and active phytochemicals. Specific Objectives: i. To document traditional medicines used in the management of SCD and malaria in Tanzania. ii. To determine the in vitro anti-sickling and antiplasmodial activities of the crude extracts of Tanzanian medicinal plants used for the management of SCD and malaria. iii. To determine safety profile of the selected medicinal plants used in the management of SCD and malaria in Tanzania. iv. To identify bioactive compounds with the anti-sickling activity of the compounds from most promising traditional medicines used in the management of SCD in Tanzania. v. To identify bioactive compounds with the antiplasmodial activity of the compounds from most promising traditional medicines used in the management of malaria in Tanzania.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Pieters Luc
- Promoter: Tuenter Emmy
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Collaborative studies.
Abstract
Collaborative studies refer to interlaboratory studies carried out to ensure the highest level of objectivity in the establishment of reference standards or reference methods of the European Pharmacopoeia (EP).Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Pieters Luc
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Past projects
Contribution to the development of herbal medicine.
Abstract
The Experimental Pharmacy unit at the Institute of Pharmacy and Food was initially created for the production and commercialization of Natural Products approved by the Ministry of Health Public. Recently, the functions of Experimental Pharmacy unit changed to be a Center for Research-Development, Production and Commercialization of Natural Products. This strategy was made to close the cycle for the introduction of new herbal medicines, natural cosmetics and functional foods from the Cuban universities. However, the capacities of the Experimental Pharmacy unit to reach this aim are limited. In this context, the present initiative aims to increase the capacities of the Experimental Pharmacy unit for the research-development of natural products. Additionally, it is necessary to increase the productive capacity and the variety of products for commercialization. In order to reach these aims, four strategies were developed for the present project: 1) to increase the capacity of Cuban researchers in new methodologies for research on natural products, 2) to improve our methodologies and technologies, 3) to strengthen the international cooperation alliances for the interchange of knowledge and the search for other opportunities of financial support; and 4) to establish commercial agreements with national distributors of raw materials and herbal products. The financial support of the European Union acquired by the ADELANTE Project will be used to organize fourteen activities to carry out these strategies.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Pieters Luc
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Anti-inflammatory iridoids and alkaloids from some widely used and some less explored medicinal plants.
Abstract
Many acute and chronic diseases are either driven or modulated by inflammation. This project focuses on 3 classes of natural products that hold great promise towards anti-inflammatory targets, i.e. oxindole alkaloids and phenanthridone alkaloids, both acting on the NF-kB pathway; and iridoids targeting COX activity. Because of their potential activity against NF-kB, a series of oxindole alkaloids will be isolated from Uncaria tomentosa and U. rhynchophylla, in order to evaluate their NF-kB inhibitory properties. In addition, also the activity on the same target of phenanthridone alkaloids, a poorly explored class of compounds from the Amaryllidaceae family, will be evaluated. Many iridoid-containing medicinal plants are known for their anti-inflammatory properties, Harpagophytum procumbens (Devil's claw) being a well-known example. Iridoids often occur as glycosides; it has been shown that they have to be hydrolyzed first by beta-glucosidase activity of the microflora in the gastro-intestinal tract, but the structures of the ultimately active compounds are not known. In the present project iridoid glycosides will be isolated from H. procumbens, and several in vitro approaches will be followed to prepare and to characterize the metabolites, which will then be evaluated for inhibition of COX-1/2 activity. Finally, a human pilot study will be carried out to detect and to quantify in blood plasma the metabolites that were active in vitro.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Pieters Luc
- Promoter: Tuenter Emmy
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Chair Tilman - Olive polyphenols and cardiovascular health
Abstract
In this Chair research focuses on extracts and polyphenols of olive (Olea European), and their function in maintaining cardiovascular health. Cardiovascular diseases are one of the most important causes of death worldwide, and they remain the most important one in Belgium. Research of this Chair will contribute to the knowledge of the role of olive and olive polyphenols in maintaining cardiovascular health. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, lipid lowering and anti-hypertensive activity of olive polyphenols and standardized olive extract will be investigated in depth. The effects of olive polyphenols will be studied in a clinical trial in metabolic syndrome patients with elevated blood lipid parameters and slightly elevated blood pressure, as well as in models of oxidative stress and inflammation. In addition, the biotransformation of olive polyphenols by the human gut microbiome will be investigated in the validated GIDM-Colon model, and the effects of formed metabolites on the cardiovascular system will be studied.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Hermans Nina
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Protective effects of nutritional polyphenols and their metabolites towards mechanisms contributing to arterial stiffness.
Abstract
Arterial stiffness, a major health issue, progresses with age. Dietary polyphenols improve vascular stiffening via vascular, inflammatory and other mechanisms, most likely due to their metabolites. Although promising effects for prevention and treatment of arterial stiffness have been reported for blueberry and olive polyphenols, it is largely unknown which polyphenol metabolites interact with which underlying mechanisms. In this project, polyphenol metabolites will be generated in gastrointestinal and liver simulations and will be identified subsequently. Since gut microbial composition is linked to arterial stiffness, is affected by polyphenols and is different in the elderly, an aged and young biotransformation model will be compared. Metabolites will be tested, separately and in mixtures analogous to the in vivo situation, in assays on vascular, oxidative, inflammatory and other mechanisms contributing to arterial stiffness. Also, polyphenol effects on gut microbial composition will be evaluated. This combination of analyses renders this project innovative and original. Results will provide a unique insight on polyphenol metabolism and the influence of age thereupon, and on polyphenol prebiotic-like effects. Moreover, they will increase understanding regarding the influence of olive and blueberry polyphenol metabolites on fundamental processes underlying arterial stiffness and multiple other pathological conditions, facilitating future research.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Hermans Nina
- Co-promoter: Roth Lynn
- Co-promoter: Tuenter Emmy
- Fellow: Lauwers Stef
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Support maintenance scientific equipment (NatuRAPT).
Contact
Prof.Dr. Nina Hermans
Contact
Prof.Dr. Emmy Tuenter