Progress 04/01/17 to 03/31/21
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience reached during the duration of this project were minority students at the collegiate level in Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. We also targeted limited resource farmers across the state of Louisiana. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project provided eight (8) undergraduate students with experiential learning opportunities by exposing them to basic laboratory instruments and procedures and cultural techniques of growing hibiscus. Another 25 students in plant/soil sciences classes gained knowledge of basic and applied research when they toured the project laboratory. Students have also participated in the Louisiana Academy of Sciences Annual Conference and the MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences) Regional Conference. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The project staff developed educational materials such as fact sheets and handouts on the medicinal and health benefits of Roselle hibiscus. We continued to make these materials available to extension agents and the general public through publications, websites and presentations. Information was shared with more than 55 small farmers who attended the Roselle hibiscus workshop in Amite, Louisiana. At the National Science Day celebration, about 1,500 high school students were exposed to the hibiscus plant via sensory evaluations. Information about this project was shared with research, teaching and extension colleagues at Southern University and the 1890 community. Also, we shared information about the project and its benefits with various schools and communities in the state. Along with our Roselle hibiscus expert who is also a co-PD on this project, we conducted three (3) workshops for farmers and potential farmers during field day events and also at the annual Louisiana Small Farmer Leadership Institute in March 2019 with a total of 176 participants. We also made presentations during the Family and Human Development Program Personal Health History Workshop, April 5, 2019. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The project has officially ended. The project director has plans to develop new proposals to continue studies that will further validate these research findings and advance research activities to improve roselle hibiscus utilization and its contribution as an anti-cancer and neuro-protective agent, both alone and synergistically with other plants found to have medicinal benefits.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
DU145 prostate cancer cells were obtained from the Louisiana State University School of Medicine and select animal research laboratories. Proliferation, viability, inhibition and physiochemical reactions of cancer cells were assessed after exposure to Roselle hibiscus extract. The cellular migration and drug resistance were also evaluated by employing Cisplatin and the Cell Invasion/Wound Healing Assay. Eight underrepresented undergraduate students worked with the project staff on biochemical laboratory experimentation and enhanced knowledge base relating to Roselle hibiscus. More than 3,000 small farmers, stakeholders, legislators and students were introduced to Roselle hibiscus at various workshops, field days and events across the state of Louisiana. To ensure consistency and reliability of project study, several studies were repeated. Following validation of the studies, we began investigations of the neuro-protective effects of the extracts on (excitatory) compared to (inhibitory) neurons generated in vitro from mouse embryonic stem cells. We followed up by conducting viability studies to assess the toxicological effects of environment pollutants in the presence (or absence) of hibiscus extracts. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this portion of the project was delayed due to immediate closure of campus. In addition to laboratory studies, this grant was vital in the establishment and enhancement of the Southern Institute for Medicinal Plants (SIMP) at the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center. In recognition, the principal investigator (PI/PD) of this project was named as the director of Southern Institute of Medicinal Plants (SIMP) at the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center. The SIMP has similar focus to this project - conducting research to source potential nutraceuticals, to isolate and identify medicinal value of the isolated compound using in vitro/ in vivo studies, this research project fits very well with the goal of the institute. This designation has brought increased awareness and focus to this project which is very timely as we seek to expand opportunities for small farms to explore alternative crops, enhance farm sustainability, overcome chronic diseases, and improve human health and well-being of our citizens.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Students' presentation at MANRRS 2019
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Chin, Kit L. et al. 2019. Roselles leaves as an alternative traditional medicine. 3rd International Conference on Traditional
Medicines, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. July 22-24, 2019, Rome Italy.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Lewis and Snowden. 2020. Examination of the Dose-Dependent Relationship of Roselle Hibiscus Extracts on Cellular Migration and Drug Resistance of Cancer Cells. ProQuest
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Lewis, Irene et al. 2017. Antimicrobial Efficacy of Different Roselle Hibiscus Extracts Against Escherichia coli. Beta Kappa Chi National Scientific Honor Society and the National Institute of Science 74th Joint Annual Meeting. March 15-18, 2017. Baton Rouge, LA
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Progress 04/01/19 to 03/31/20
Outputs
Target Audience:There was no physical target audience could be reached due to state mandated COVID-19 quarantine. Changes/Problems:COVID-19 Pandemic What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?We were only able to reach audiences via virtual platforms and social media due to COVID-19 pandemic. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Virtual Zooms meetings were held and factsheets were emailed due to state mandated COVID-19 quarantine. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?When and ifwe are allowed to returnto campus, we plan to complete Objectives 3 and 4 of the project.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
As a result of COVID-19, school facilities were closed causing delays and non-completion of Objectives 3 and 4.
Publications
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Lewis and Snowden. 2020. Examination of the Dose-Dependent Relationship of Roselle Hibiscus Extracts on Cellular Migration and Drug Resistance of Cancer Cells. ProQuest
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Progress 04/01/18 to 03/31/19
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience reached during this reporting time period were minority students at the collegiate level in Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. We also targeted limited resource farmers across the state. Changes/Problems:The principal investigator (PI/PD) of this project was named as the director of Southern Institute of Medicinal Plants (SIMP) at the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center. The SIMP has similar focus to this project - of conducting research to source potential nutraceuticals, to isolate and identify medicinal value of the isolated compound using in vitro/ in vivo studies, this research project fits very well with the goal of the institute. This designation has brought increased awareness and focus to this project which is very timely as we seek to expand opportunities for small farms to explore alternative crops, enhance farm sustainability, overcome chronic diseases, and improve human health and well-being of our citizens. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?During the reporting period, the project continued to provide four (4) undergraduate students with experiential learning opportunities by exposing them to basic laboratory instruments and procedures and cultural techniques of growing hibiscus. Another 25 students in plant/soil sciences classes gained knowledge of basic and applied research when they toured the project laboratory.Students have also participated in the Louisiana Academy of Sciences Annual Conference and the MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences) Regional Conference. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?In the previous year, the project staff developed educational materials such as fact sheets and handouts on medicinal and health benefits of Roselle hibiscus. We continued to make these materials available to extension agents and the general public through publications, websites and presentations. Information about this project was shared with research, teaching and extension colleagues at Southern University and the 1890 community. Also, we shared information about the project and its benefits with various schools and communities in the state. Along with our Roselle hibiscus expert who is also a co-PD on this project, we conducted three (3) workshops for farmers and potential farmers during field day events and also at the annual Louisiana Small Farmer Leadership Institute in March with a total of 176 participants. We are making presentations during the Family and Human Development Program Personal Health History Workshop, April 5, 2019. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We plan to repeat the studies on the neuro-protective effects of the extracts on Glutamatergic (excitatory) versus GABAergic (inhibitory) neurons generated in vitro from mouse Embryonic Stem Cells and plan to elucidate the mechanism of action, at the molecular level, of the isolated plant extracts in neurons. The fourth goal will also be underway: incorporate the active compounds of Roselle calyces into the meal and conduct in vivo studies using rabbits to assess their effect at physiological doses. We further plan to provide two additional students with hands-on experiential learning skills. With the help of the students, data collected in the previous years are being assembled, we will begin the analyses of these data. We will also develop publications to include fact sheets, make presentations, present seminars and conduct workshops to disseminate information about the findings of the study and share with the scientific and extension communities.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Several steps were repeated to ensure consistency and reliability of results. We obtained additional DU145 prostate cancer cells from the Louisiana State University School of Medicine and select animal research laboratories. We repeated the assessment of the proliferation, viability, inhibition and physiochemical reactions of cancer cells after exposure to Roselle hibiscus extract. We evaluated the cellular migration and drug resistance by employing Cisplatin and the Cell Invasion/Wound Healing Assay. After treatment and as of the time of this report our project staff are studying neuro-protective effect of the extracts on (excitatory) compared to (inhibitory) neurons generated in vitro from the mouse embryonic stem cells. Once the first experiment is completed, we will follow up by conducting viability studies to assess the toxicological effect of environment pollutants in the presence (or absence) of extracts. We are somewhat behind in our studies due to unexpected challenges in obtaining samples and other research materials for the project. In collaboration with our Roselle hibiscus expert, we conducted three (3) workshops for farmers and potential farmers during field day events and also at the annual Louisiana Small Farmer Leadership Institute in March with a total of 176 participants. We are making presentations during the Family and Human Development Program Personal Health History Workshop, April 5, 2019. In addition, this grant has been instrumental in the establishment and enhancement of the Southern Institute of Medicinal Plants (SIMP) at the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center. In recognition, the principal investigator (PI/PD) of this project was named as the director of Southern Institute of Medicinal Plants (SIMP) at the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center. The SIMP has similar focus to this project -conducting research to source potential nutraceuticals, to isolate and identify medicinal value of the isolated compound using in vitro/ in vivo studies, this research project fits very well with the goal of the institute. This designation has brought increased awareness and focus to this project which is very timely as we seek to expand opportunities for small farms to explore alternative crops, enhance farm sustainability, overcome chronic diseases, and improve human health and well-being of our citizens.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Students' presentation at MANRRS 2019
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Chin, Kit L. et al. 2019. Roselles leaves as an alternative traditional medicine. 3rd International Conference on Traditional Medicines, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. July 22-24, 2019, Rome Italy.
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Progress 04/01/17 to 03/31/18
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience reached during this reporting time period are minority students at the collegiate level in Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. We also targetedlimited resource farmers. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Three undergraduate studentswere provided withexperiential learning opportunities by exposing them to basic laboratory instruments and procedures. Students have also participatedin the Louisiana Academy of Sciences Annual Conference and the MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences) Regional Conference. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The project staff developed educational materials such as fact sheets and handouts on medicinal and health benefits of Roselle hibiscus. These materials were made available to extension agents and the general public through publications, websites and presentations. More than 55 small farmers attended the Roselle hibiscus workshop in Amite, Louisiana. At the National Science Day celebration, about 1,500 high school students were exposed to the hibiscus plant via sensory evaluations. Information about the objectives of the project was shared with faculty, staff, andstudentsat Southern Univerity and the 1890 community. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? For the next phase, weplanto study the neuro-protective effects of the extracts on Glutamatergic (excitatory) versus GABAergic (inhibitory) neurons generated in vitro from mouse Embryonic Stem Cells and plan toelucidate the mechanism of action, at the molecular level, of the isolated plant extracts in neurons.We furtherplan to provide two addtional students with experiential learning experiences.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
DU145 prostate cancer cells were obtained from the Louisiana State University School of Medicine and selectanimal research laboratories. During this reporting period, we assessed the proliferation, viability, inhibition and physiochemical reactions of cancer cells after exposure to Roselle hibiscus extract. We also evaluated the cellular migration and drug resistance by employing Cisplatin and the Cell Invasion/Wound Healing Assay. Threeunderrepresented undergraduate students worked with the project staff onbiochemical laboratory experimantation and enhanced knowledge baserelating to Roselle hibiscus. More than 55 small farmers attended the Roselle hibiscus workshop in Amite, Louisiana. At the National Science Day celebration, about 1,500 high school students were exposed to the hibiscus plant via sensory evaluations.
Publications
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