Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Bioactive Compounds from Arctic Plants  (Bioactive Compounds from Arctic Plants)

Outline
This project emphasises the study of biological activity of secondary compounds from arctic plants, relating to plant herbivore relations, to plant use by indigenous people, and to the potential of the arctic flora for supply of fine chemicals for technical and pharmaceutical application. There is an almost persistent demand for new ideas in development of the Greenlandic economy based on natural resources. This development almost entirely relates to mining, fishery and hunting, with no attention to the arctic flora. Our project will throw light on the circumarctic variation in ethnic plant use for food and medicine.From the plant point of view, the secondary chemistry is of importance as protection against herbivores and plant pathogens, and co-evolved with successful survival of the arctic flora. A range of studies has been carried out in subarctic areas of Scandinavia and North America, but only little is known of these relations in Greenland. In a changing climate the secondary chemistry will also be affected, with subsequent influence on the herbivores and the terrestric ecosystem.Although the sparse vegetation, the plants are exposed to biotic and abiotic factors, which may trigger development of defence chemicals resulting in winter hardiness and frost tolerance, and resistance to excessive UV-radiation and draught. As no-one has studied these matters thoroughly, there is an immense potential for development of an arctic niche for fine chemicals. Our preliminary in vitro studies have indicated the beneficial effects of coumarins in Angelica from Disko on the CNS receptors, preventing mental disorders. Salicin derivatives are natural painkillers, e.g. aspirin, and are important herbivore repellents in arctic willows, Salix arctica, in natural habitats. Cassiope tetragona has shown insecticidal activity caused by essential oil from the leaves, and antibacterial activity associated with the content of hitherto unknown phenolic compounds. For compounds with antioxidant activity Pedicularis hirsuta and P. lanata may be important sources, as they have a high content of very potent caffeic acid derivatives.The project has four main aspects:1)to compare the circumpolar ethnic utilisation of the arctic flora, 2)to elucidate the chemical ecology and relationship between arctic plants and animals,3)to investigate the potential economic value of the arctic flora for valuable secondary compounds for medicine and raw material for pharmaceutical production,to evaluate the sustainability of the arctic flora in respect of carrying capacity for exploitation of the vegetation for raw material for the proposed activities.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
There is an almost persistent demand for new ideas in development of the Greenlandic economy based on the natural inherent resources. This development almost entirely relates to exploitation of the natural resources through mining, fishery and hunting. Almost no attention has been paid to the arctic flora. The economic potential of the Greenlandic flora should not be neglected. In Greenland, there is very little tradition for utilisation of plants in the daily households, however, this may be the case in other arctic cultures. Our project will throw light on the circumarctic variation in ethnic plant use for food and medicine.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
We have international contact though membership of the International Tundra Experimentwww.itex-science.net/and expect to obtain further contacts via the IPY-collaboration

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Ethnobotanical field work will primarily be carried out in Greenland, but compared to other arctic regions. Investigation on plant chemistry should be circumarctic to trace geographical variation, and part of the plant material can be obtained through co-operation with fieldworkers from other countries, e.g. ITEX, supplemented with own field work.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 05/06-07/06      07/07-08/07      
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
For field work in Greenland existing public transport For other regions depending on where access can be obtained in cooperation with groups already working in that area

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
NO

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
YES
The project is an extension and continuation of a project launched by the Danish University of Pharmaceutical Sciences 2001 supported by funding for travel from KVUG

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be physically base at the Danish University of Pharmaceutical Sciences, with close contact to the Botanical Museum in Copenhagen, to the Botanical Institute of University of Copenhagen. In case of discovery of compounds of potential interest have close contact to pharmaceutical partners, who can take the project further.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Part of this project can be carried out as projects for master students, but preferably, according to funding, by ph.d. students and post doc scientists.In case of success, training of local people for collection and processing of plant material will be needed, probably also growth experiments and plant propagation.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
Results will appear in the scientific press. Isolated compounds may be made available for comparison, analytical procedures likewise, or we can offer access to analyses in our laboratory, depending on financial resources .

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Application to National Science Foundations and private funds.Part or the instruments needed for the analyses are available at the Danish University of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
We have long experience in the study of plants for their secondary chemistry and biological activity; from arctic areas mostly related to chemical ecology. Ethnopharmacological investigations has hitherto mostly been carried out in tropical countries.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Associated Professor Per Molgaard
Danish University of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Department of Medicinal Chemistry
Universitetsparken 2, Copenhagen
DK 2100
Denmark

Tel: +45 35 30 63 35
Mobile: +45 61 68 41 15
Fax: +45 35 30 60 41
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information