At the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, the Appalachian Natural Products Research Program (ANPRP) harnesses the rich biodiversity of our region to discover, characterize and develop biologically active compounds with therapeutic potential. By blending traditional knowledge with a collaborative approach to science—drawing upon mass spectrometry, high-resolution NMR, supercritical fluid extraction and high-throughput bioassays—our multidisciplinary teams drive innovation from bench to bedside, identifying, characterizing and optimizing bioactive compounds from native plants, fungi and microbes to advance rural health, sustainable economic growth and community resilience.

Unlocking the Power of the Mountains

Nestled in the heart of Appalachia, our region boasts a wealth of medicinal plants, fungi and microbial life uniquely adapted to local ecosystems. ANPI leverages this natural library to:

• Identify novel bioactive compounds using ethnobotanical surveys and advanced extraction techniques
• Characterize chemical structures and mechanisms through mass spectrometry, NMR, and bioassays
• Assess safety and efficacy in preclinical models of inflammation, infection, metabolic disorders, and neurodegeneration

Our multidisciplinary teams pursue a range of therapeutic targets, from new antimicrobial and antifungal agents to natural modulators of inflammation, metabolism, and neuroprotection. Working hand-in-hand with foragers, herbalists, and local knowledge keepers, we design preclinical studies that assess safety and efficacy in models of cancer, infection, arthritis, diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. These translational efforts are anchored by partnerships with the Marshall Health Network and supported by our own Analytical Chemistry Core, Natural Products Extraction Suite, and dedicated Animal Research Facility.

This initiative is supported by the School of Medicine with a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.