Discovery and development of new chemical compounds derived from Greek herbs

  • Greece has unique bioavailability of plants and herbs that do not exist in any other place in the world (~3,500 unique plants).

  • Ancient Greeks have identified and used herbs that grow in Greece and have therapeutic properties for human inflammatory diseases.

  • Some of these ancient herbs are being used even today and have preventive and therapeutic properties.

  • It is known that olive oil has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, protecting people from coronary heart disease.
  • Build and/or use a chemistry laboratory in Greece able to purify chemical compounds & extracts from herbs located in Greece.

Attica Research Programs

Potential use of compounds & extracts derived from Ancient Greek Herbs

  • Medicine: compounds with anti-inflammatory properties for autoimmune & cardiovascular diseases

  • Food & drink supplements: anti-oxidant & anti-inflammatory extracts from olive oil

  • Poultry & Pet supplements: extracts that could enrich the food and/or water in poultry farms and also in pet food stores

Research Plan Steps

Species Identification

Identification of unique species of olive trees located in Thessaly, Peloponnese and Crete Island in Greece, having the highest phenolic content

Purification

Purification of extracts and chemical compounds (Dr. Skaltsounis Lab)

Evaluation

Evaluation of anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the purified extracts and compounds (Dr. Kouretas Lab)