University of Illinois plans to research properties of hops

Modern Brewery Age, May 30, 2005

Researchers in the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy have received $5 million in new funding to study botanical supplements, including those containing hops, that may provide women relief of menopausal symptoms and to support research training in pharmacognosy, the study of natural products.

Headed by Norman Farnsworth, UIC professor and director of the program for collaborative research in the pharmaceutical sciences, the Center for Botanical Dietary Supplement Research has previously received $8.5 million to address the issues of standardization, quality, safety and efficacy of botanical dietary supplements for women.

"We're looking for things that will reduce hot flushes but do not have the same side-effect profile as hormone therapy," Farnsworth said. "Our wish is to establish the safety and efficacy of botanical supplements as alternatives."

Once the problem of hot flushes has been dealt with, Farnsworth thinks botanicals may also prove to alleviate other aspects of menopause such as loss of bone density and cognitive function.

Farnsworth said the center will use the funding to continue ongoing studies of five plants and add six more. Hops, an ingredient in beer, will be one of the new botanicals studied.

Despite the popularity of botanical dietary supplements, he said, there have been very few rigorous clinical studies.