On 21st and 22nd of October, scientists met at the PhytoAD Symposium in the IPB to present their latest research on plant bioactives. They discussed natural drugs from St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), inflammation inhibitors from other medicinal plants and treatment approaches for Alzheimer's disease. In between, external guests among the about 30 participants joined guided tours to visit the facilities and technical equipment of the institute.
The PhytoAD project is part of the research network "Autonomy in Old Age - Model Region Saxony-Anhalt" and is coordinated by the IPB in partnership with the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) Gatersleben.
The project aims to promote discovery, production and characterization of neuroactive substances from known medicinal plants. Considering the ongoing demographic change, the involved scientists will also evaluate a potential pharmaceutical application for dementia symptoms and for the improvement of learning ability as well as memory performance. The research network is supported by the ERDF/ESF funding programmes of the EU and financial resources of the state of Saxony-Anhalt.
