2017 ASHS Annual Conference

The inflammatory basis of pain is supported by human subject studies. Chronic pain from injuries or stress may not only impede performance, but also lead to anxiety and depression. Current pain medications (non-narcotic: acetaminophen, NSAIDs; narcotics/opioids) have major drawbacks including lack of efficacy (particularly in neuropathic pain), toxic side effects with long-term use (e.g. liver and kidney damage, nausea, heartburn, and disrupted nutrition, including vitamin C, calcium, potassium, zinc), tolerance, and addiction. Opioid addiction is considered a huge problem that is underresourced. Thus, there is a critical need to develop effective, novel, and safer approaches to address the physical, emotional, and economic difficulties of chronic pain. We tested the hypothesis that ramping up specific classes of polyphenol compounds in broccoli (Brassica oleracea) and licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra, a commonly used medicinal plant) at a specific developmental time in the plant life cycle could improve the harvest of value-added antiinflammatory plant extracts. We made chemical libraries and abiotic treatment protocols and measured changes in sinapates, HCAAs, flavonoids, and specific terpenoids. The polyphenols isolated from over 100 broccoli lines and over 10 licorice cultures indicated that stable extracts could be obtained from specific light and temperature regimes. We overcame breeding bottlenecks by developing a vegetative culture system. Plant materials were extracted and tested for stability and tested in vitro and in vivo. Specific lines reduced inflammation markers in cell culture. The polyphenol-associated chemicals of broccoli and licorice have great potential for use in prevention of inflammation in order to prevent pain. Studies to increase bioavailability to absorptive cells in digestion are in progress in order to develop a nutraceutical that could be a non-addictive, affordable, and pain-preventative for common use.