Last updated 30 July 20089 Chair
Prof.
Yong-Xiang Zhang, PR CHINA
zhangyx@nic.bmi.ac.cn
Vice-Chair
Prof.
Valérie Schini-Kerth, FRANCE
valerie.schini-kerth@pharma.u-strasbg.fr
Background
Previously, a Natural Product Working Group had been formed with Professor David Story of Melbourne, Australia as Chairman. At the IUPHAR Executive Committee meeting in 2004, it was agreed to ask Professor Ricky Man of the University of Hong Kong to chair this working group. Chinese medicine will be an important component and will contribute to the efforts of the Natural Products Working Group. There will also be substantial topics related to natural products in the coming IUPHAR World Congress in Beijing. The General Assembly approved the formation of the Natural Products section in July of 2006. Professor Man took up the leadership role in this initiative. In 2008 Professor Zhang assumed the chairmanship. The immediate task is to identify colleagues interested in natural products to beinvolved in this initiative and start to work towards the stated objectives.
Objectives
Initiation of linkages and discussion between scientists, industry and general public in the promotion of research and educational efforts in natural products.
Current Issues
We need to identify colleagues with broad representation in terms of background and research interest in natural products. Please contact Dr. Zhang for more information.
Yong-Xiang Zhang
Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Zhangyx@nic.bmi.ac.cn
Statutes
IUPHAR Section on the Pharmacology of Natural Products
OBJECTIVE
The Section will provide a forum for formal and informal interactions among investigators from
around the world involved in teaching and researching the isolation, identification,
standardization, efficacy, safety and mechanism(s) of action of natural products.
RATIONALE
In developed countries foods and drugs are routinely defined by the Food and Drug Act, or a
similar act. Foods are defined as any article manufactured, sold or represented to eat or drink by
human beings. Drugs are defined as any substance or mixture of substances manufactured, sold
or represented for use in the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation or prevention of a disease. In most
countries, a drug is assigned a Drug Identification Number (DIN) which attests that it has gone
through a process of evaluation by the appropriate regulatory agency. Natural products have
gained prominence as key dietary supplements. They are often referred to as nutriceuticals or
natural health care products. A natural product can be defined as a single, or a mixture of
naturally occurring substances used for the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of a disease, or to
maintain or promote health. A natural product usually originates from algae, fungi or plants. In
most countries, natural products also include minerals, trace elements, vitamins, amino acids,
essential fatty acids or animal parts. Several forms of complementary medicine use these or
related products in their prescriptions. These include Traditional Chinese Medicine and
Ayurveda Medicine. In Australia, the vast majority of the natural health products, including
herbs, are regulated as therapeutic goods. In Canada, natural health products are marketed under
the auspices of the Natural Health Product Directorate. In the European Union, natural products
with therapeutic claims are regulated as drugs, whereas those without claims are marketed as
food. In the United States of America, these materials can be sold as dietary supplements under
the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, which establishes minimal standards of
practice for the manufacturing and advertising of these materials.
There is the belief that natural products are safe and mostly devoid of side effects. However, the
increased use of natural products for health benefits is often not substantiated by appropriate
research. Thus, the popularity of natural health products has led to a considerable number of
unsubstantiated claims, and, in isolated cases, substandard quality control of the product. Hence,
there is a need to substantiate and provide an evidence-base for the claims, safety and
effectiveness of natural products, especially herbal remedies. Therefore, IUPHAR proposes
establishing a Section on the Pharmacology of Natural Products to meet the needs of the
scientific community and the general public.
AIMS
The aims of the section are as follows:
A) To increase awareness of the importance of natural products related to human health.
B) To promote the exchange of scientific information among members of the Section and
the entire membership of IUPHAR. This will be achieved in part through a newsletter and other
means of communication, in particular by contributions to the IUPHAR Website. The Section
will also disseminate progress in the area through sub-specialty meetings and by symposia at
major international meetings and workshops.
C) To stimulate interest in new areas of investigation, especially in improving
standardization and understanding of the mechanism(s) of action. New approaches to study the
use, efficacy, and safety of these materials are also encouraged. The section will promote
interactions between basic and clinical scientists in the field of natural products.
D) To encourage young investigators to attend IUPHAR sponsored meetings and other
meetings on natural products.
E) To encourage interaction between “modern” scientists and those individuals holding the
knowledge of traditional medicine. The field of ethnopharmacology should be recognized for its
wealth and value and be encouraged by IUPHAR to develop high research standards.
F) To support the objectives and goals of IUPHAR as a means to enhance the advancement
of pharmacology worldwide. In particular the section will promote study in the developing
regions of the world especially in Africa, Latin America, South East Asia and Eastern Europe,
where natural health products are used predominantly and progress in research may be hampered
by a lack of efficient information channels.
MEMBERSHIP
Membership of the Section shall consist of pharmacologists interested in the field of natural
products. Membership is applied for in writing to the Secretary of the Section. The application
consists of a curriculum vitae and evidence (e.g. publication list) of interest in the field.
Membership is granted by the Section Executive Committee.
SECTION EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The composition of the Executive Committee of the Section should reflect the fact that it is an
international organization and should have broad representation. The selection process for the
period 2006-2010 will be overseen by the President of IUPHAR or a designate.
After the initial period 2006-2010, the designated Executive Committee will be followed by an
elected Executive Committee which shall consist of Officers (Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer,
and one Liaison Officer selected by the IUPHAR Executive Committee from among its
members) and up to six (6) Councillors. The Councillors will be selected from and by the
members of the Section. An individual would be elected by a simple majority and would serve
for four (4) years. The Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected from among those
members of the Section Executive Committee who have served in another capacity for the
previous four-year period (e.g. 2006-2010).
The Chairperson will oversee the business matters of the Section and will be responsible for
reporting at least yearly to the IUPHAR Executive Committee. The Chairperson is empowered to
form appropriate ad hoc committee(s) to facilitate the activities of the Section or to propose
changes to the bylaws. The Secretary will support the Chairperson in execution of the affairs of
the Section. The Treasurer will be responsible for the finances of the Section and will prepare a
yearly report to the Treasurer of IUPHAR.
ADVISORY BOARD
The Executive Committee will be helped by an Advisory Board consisting of individuals
working either in regulatory organizations, funding agencies or industries involved with the
regulation, study and distribution of natural products. The members of the Advisory Board will
be appointed by the officers of the section.
BYLAWS
These bylaws may be amended by a majority in ballots cast by members of the Section. The
Section shall be informed at least three (3) months before the impending election by the
Chairperson. Elections may take place either at a face-to-face meeting of the Section or by
electronic communication.
LIAISON to the Executive Committee of IUPHAR (Prof. Paul Vanhoutte)
The Section shall interact on a formal basis with the IUPHAR Executive Committee through a
liaison person designated by the President of IUPHAR. In addition, a formal report will be made
annually to the Secretary General and Treasurer of IUPHAR.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Report of Natural Products Section (2006-2007)
The Natural Products Section was formally recognized by the IUPHAR General Assembly held during the 15th World Congress in July 2006 in Beijing. Previously, a Working Group on Natural Products was established by the IUPHAR Executive Committee. Professor David Story of RMIT was first appointed to chair this working group and subsequently Professor Ricky Man followed up to chair the working group. The objectives were (1) to submit a proposal to the Executive Committee of IUPHAR for consideration to form a Natural Product Section and then for approval by IUPHAR in 2006, (2) to participate in the scientific program related to natural products in 2006 IUPHAR World Congress in Beijing and (3) to initiate linkages and discussion between scientists, industry and general public in the promotion of research and educational efforts in natural products. After the official formation of the Natural Products Section, the IUPHAR Executive Committee appointed Ricky Y.K. Man as Chairman and Professor Yong-Xiang Zhang as Vice-Chairman.
The first and second objectives have been met. The Natural Products Section is now recognized by IUPHAR. There were a significant number of sessions, keynote lectures and symposia related to natural product research in the Beijing World Congress. The last objective should be regarded as long-term rather than as an immediate goal. However, certain linkages have been established with scientists and industry. More efforts should be made to fulfill this objective in the future. The following is a brief description of this initiative.
• During the Beijing World Congress, a significant number of scientists have expressed interest in joining the Natural Products Section. Indeed, enquiries have been made to many of us including to IUPHAR about the Natural Products Section. It is therefore an urgent matter to disseminate information regarding the Natural Products Section to other scientists interested in natural product research and education.
• The Natural Products Section was asked to support the 1st International Symposium about Pharmacology of Natural Products (FAPRONATURA 2006) organized by the Cuban Society of Pharmacology in November 2006 in Cuba. Since the Natural Products Section was not officially involved in the organization and planning of this meeting, neither IUPHAR nor the Natural Products Section as part of IUPHAR could be an official sponsor for this meeting. However, information regarding this meeting was forwarded to various people in an unofficial manner. This information was also carried in the IUPHAR newsletter.
• Initial contacts have been made to solicit supports and participation from the industry associated with natural products. In this regard, ChinTao Life Science Foundation has sponsored awards for young investigators in natural product research in the Beijing World Congress. Through the effort of Professor Paul M. Vanhoutte, past President of IUPHAR, Mr. Langaskens, President of ChinTao Life Science Foundation, has tentatively pledged support for the next World Congress of Pharmacology to be held in Copenhagen in 2010. More efforts are needed to establish strong linkages with the industry. Currently, there is little activity of the Natural Product Section with the general public.
The followings are some of the ongoing plan/activities of the Natural Products Section.
• A meeting entitled “Traditional Chinese and Modern Western Pharmacology cooperation: An Answer to Unmet Clinical Needs” has been organized by Professor Lucio Annunziato. The proposed meeting will be held in September or October in Naples, Italy. Among others, Professor Vanhoutte, past president IUPHAR, Sam Enna, Secretary-General of IUPHAR and the Chinese Pharmacology Society have been contacted. Request for funding by IUPHAR has also been made. However, neither IUPHAR nor the Natural Products Section is involved in the planning and organization of the meeting. A reply has been made to Professor Annunziato to indicate that the Natural Products Section is willing to consider participation in this effort and that subsequent effort can be made to request funding from IUPHAR if indeed the Natural Products Section is involved. Unfortunately, there has been no reply from the organizer at this moment.
• There is an informal discussion between Professor Zhi-Bin Lin, President of the Chinese Pharmacology Society and Professor Ricky Man regarding the possibility of hosting a meeting on natural products in China. It was agreed that we can have a half-day or one day session on natural product research as part of the Chinese Pharmacology Society annual meeting or other appropriate meeting in China. Tentatively, this can be organized for 2008-2009. Key people in natural products can be invited to participate in the scientific program. This will also serve as the platform to organize activities for the World Congress in 2010 including symposia topics and potential sites for a satellite meeting. Professor Man together with Professor Vanhoutte will follow up on this initiative with Professor Lin. Professor Yong-Xiang Zhang, Vice-Chairman of the Natural Products Section will also be involved. Official involvement and recognition of IUPHAR will be discussed at a later stage.
• Initial contact has been made between Professor Michael Mulvany, member of the Scientific committee of the next World Congress in Copenhagen in Denmark, and Professor Man regarding topics related to natural products. Further discussion will be made in the future. Potential sites for hosting a satellite meeting on natural products as part of the World Congress are being considered. No definite site has been selected.
• There will be a Southeast Asian Western Pacific Pharmacology (SEAWP) combined meeting with the Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologist and Toxicologists (ASCEPT) in Adelaide, Australia on December 3-6, 2007. A two-hour symposium on natural products/herbal medicine will be organized by Professor David Story. This may serve as a forum to promote natural product research in the region as well as to increase the awareness of the Natural Products Section of IUPHAR.
In summary, ongoing efforts plus new activities will serve to promote natural product research and education, an essential objective of the Natural Products Section of IUPHAR.
There is a need to provide more information of the Natural Products Section on the IUPHAR website. A list of e-mail addresses is being compiled to distribute information to potential members for the section. A call of membership may be initiated. Further advice and input from IUPHAR and key people from natural products are needed to formulate future activities and initiatives.
Prepared by Ricky Y.K. Man, Natural Products Section, IUPHAR - March 2007
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