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Antioxidant activities of freeze dried acai berry (Euterpe Oleracea) extracts

Award Number: R15AT007860
ORGANIZATION: CENTER FOR DRUG EVALUATION AND RESEARCH, NIH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/30/2013
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2018

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Antioxidant activities of freeze dried acai berry (Euterpe Oleracea) extracts - Abstract: Cellular oxidative stress is a major cause of illness and death worldwide, and many are turning to Natural Products or Complementary and Alternative Medicines to combat this condition. The current study is intended to identify constituents in the very popular Acai berry (Euterpe Oleracea) with the potential to reduce oxidative stress, thereby preventing the pathogenic conditions associated with disruptions in redox balance. In addition, the study will identify biological targets for these constituents, thus providing insight into the mechanism by which this “superfruit” confers these protective efects in humans. An essential element of the proposed study is that undergraduate and Master's level students at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro will have opportunities to engage in meaningful scientific research aimed at elucidating details regarding the mechanism of action of one of the most popular anti-oxidant natural products on the market. The popularity of the Acait has not translated to a wealth of scientific research regarding its effects, thus the study also fills an important void in science, that if filled could greatly enhance efforts to capitalize on the health benefits of this product. The two main targets to be explored in this study are (1) Cytochrome P450 enzymes that may be able to initiate production of reactive chemical species, including reactive oxygen species (ROS), and (2) the Nrf2-dependent transcriptional regulatory pathway by which an entire battery of anti-oxidant genes may be turned on in response to cellular signals that report on overall redox balance. The methods to be employed include in vitro catalytic assays for the two human cytochrome P450 isozymes, P4502E1 and P4502A6, and a luciferase-based cell culture system in which a reporter plasmid containing a genetic element called an “antioxidant response element” will be used to assess the ability of constituents in the acai berry extract to up-regulate gene transcription. Elements of this type are present in a large number of human genes associated with anti-oxidant functions. The process of fractionation and isolation of the individual constituents used in each of the different assays will be guided by the observed activities associated with each different fraction, and modern methods of NMR and Mass Spectral characterization will be used to determine the chemical identity of the active constituents.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2018 ( Subtotal = -$26,721 )
2018	2013	LIBERTY UNIVERSITY, INC.	1971 UNIVERSITY BLVD	LYNCHBURG	VA	24502	LYNCHBURG CITY	USA	Research and Training in Complementary and Integrative Health	000	2	10/30/2017	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	$0
2018	2013	LIBERTY UNIVERSITY, INC.	1971 UNIVERSITY BLVD	LYNCHBURG	VA	24502	LYNCHBURG CITY	USA	Research and Training in Complementary and Integrative Health	001	2	12/14/2017	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	-$16,934
2018	2013	UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT GREENSBORO	1000 SPRING GARDEN STREET	GREENSBORO	NC	27412	GUILFORD	USA	Research and Training in Complementary and Integrative Health	002	1	9/30/2018	NEW	-$623
2018	2013	LIBERTY UNIVERSITY, INC.	1971 UNIVERSITY BLVD	LYNCHBURG	VA	24502	LYNCHBURG CITY	USA	Research and Training in Complementary and Integrative Health	003	2	9/30/2018	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	-$9,164
														Subtotal = -$26,721

Issue Date FY: 2017 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2017	2013	UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT GREENSBORO	1000 SPRING GARDEN ST	GREENSBORO	NC	27412	GUILFORD	USA	Research and Training in Complementary and Integrative Health	000	1	1/18/2017	NEW	-$78,809
2017	2013	LIBERTY UNIVERSITY, INC.	1971 UNIVERSITY BLVD	LYNCHBURG	VA	24502	LYNCHBURG CITY	USA	Research and Training in Complementary and Integrative Health	002	2	9/13/2017	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	$0
2017	2013	LIBERTY UNIVERSITY, INC.	1971 UNIVERSITY BLVD	LYNCHBURG	VA	24502	LYNCHBURG CITY	USA	Research and Training in Complementary and Integrative Health	001	2	2/16/2017	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	$78,809
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2013 ( Subtotal = $404,633 )
2013	2013	UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT GREENSBORO	70 BOX, 26173	GREENSBORO	NC	27402	GUILFORD	USA	Research and Training in Complementary and Integrative Health	000	1	9/25/2013	NEW	$404,633
														Subtotal = $404,633

Grand Total All Awards = $377,912

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Antioxidant activities of freeze dried acai berry (Euterpe Oleracea) extracts

Award Number: R15AT007860

ORGANIZATION: CENTER FOR DRUG EVALUATION AND RESEARCH, NIH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/30/2013

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2018

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