HerbalEGram: Volume 4, Number 12, December 2007

The National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) announced in October that it has released its 8^th Annual Bibliography of Significant Advances in Dietary Supplement Research.^1,2

The publication provides annotations of 25 original papers representing a diverse array of laboratory and human studies from 2006, which are meant to represent some of the year’s most significant dietary supplement research advances. Herbal studies featured in the 2006 bibliography include a trial of black cohosh (Actaea racemosa; syn: Cimicifuga racemosa) root extract and its effects on bone remodeling, a study into the potential health benefits of soy for bladder cancer, a study regarding the possible uses of ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) leaf extract for treating Alzheimer’s disease, a trial demonstrating the efficacy of St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) extract for managing certain levels of depression, and a meta-analysis of trials concerning the effectiveness of Echinacea (Echinacea spp.) for cold prevention. Several studies examined omega-3 fatty acids or assorted vitamins for their potential health benefits.

The annotated studies were chosen from a selection of 300 papers from 45 peer-reviewed scientific journals, identified through a multi-step process. As part of this process, a search team conducted a comprehensive literature search to identify peer-reviewed journals publishing original research concerning dietary supplements. According to Becky Costello, PhD, director of grants and extramural activities at ODS and a co-editor of the bibliography, the American Botanical Council’s HerbClips are also routinely searched for articles that may appear in journals not captured by the targeted search (e-mail, October 22, 2007). A group of “internationally recognized scientists” then individually evaluated the relevant papers, and their scores were used to determine the top 25 studies. Over 50% of the studies that appear in the 2006 bibliography received funding from the NIH.

According to Leila Saldanha, PhD, scientific consultant at ODS and a co-editor of the bibliography, the annual publications collectively provide a snapshot of developments in dietary supplement research over the 8-year period they have been published (e-mail, October 21, 2007). “Because the publication targets a wide audience, the publication increases the awareness of research in dietary supplements,” she continued. “It is distributed widely at health-professional meetings, trade shows, and it is posted on industry blog and Internet sites. We also make it available at international meetings; it will be distributed at the upcoming Korean Nutrition Society and Indian Dietetic Association annual meetings. It is an attractive looking publication.”

“When we initiated this project in 1999, our objective was to give researchers credit for raising the bar on supplement research and encourage others to follow their lead,” said ODS Director Paul Coates, PhD, in a press release.² “However, even the highlighted studies should be viewed as clues, not verdicts. Just because a study points to a compound having an interesting effect doesn’t mean we are ready to make a broad public health recommendation.”

The 8^th annual bibliography is available from the ODS website—accessible here—as are previous bibliographies. An article about the 7^th annual ODS bibliography was published in the November 2006 issue of HerbalEGram, available here.³

—Courtney Cavaliere

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