Learn about SCNM's numerous research projects
The Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine Research Department and the Ric Scalzo Institute for Botanical Research focus on bridging the gap between traditional and evidence based medicine. Our research is fueled by the efforts of naturopathic students, faculty and clinical staff utilizing cutting edge technology to investigate the validity of natural, botanical based treatments. In addition, our clinic allows for the identification of special case studies that constantly elucidate our areas of investigation; and it give us the option of expanding our basic science findings into clinical trials.
Current areas of research
- Investigating the activity of hemp (Cannabis sativa) related to anxiety, pain, sleep disorders, and immune modulation.
- Identification of botanicals which will aide in skin care and aging.
- Characterization and formulation of novel anti-viral and anti-herpes virus botanical extracts and blends
- Evaluation of anti-microbial botanicals as potential therapeutics for Lyme disease.
- Characterization of the optimal medicinal activity of Larrea tridentata related to seasonal variations.
- Identification of botanicals for the treatment of acne.
- Echinacea purpurea: Deciphering the Controversy Behind its Medicinal Properties.
- Characterizing the antimicrobial activity of natural clays
- Veterinary medicine: Botanicals for the treatment of kennel cough, mastitis, herpes and papillomavirus infections in animals
- Characterization of the antimicrobial activity of propolis
Past areas of research
- Characterization of a novel anti-poxviral botanical extract: implications as a counter-bioterrorism agent and treatment for emerging monkeypox virus infections.
- Understanding variolation: the ancient Chinese method of vaccination against smallpox.
- Evolutionary conservation of anti-poxvirus activity in carnivorous plant genera.
- Characterization of botanicals with antiviral activity against emerging Zika virus infections
- Controlling the threat of herpes and ebola viruses: The mechanism of action and active constituents of Melissa officinalis.
- Development of bacterial resistance to antimicrobial botanicals
- Comparative anti-Staphylococcus aureus activity of commonly used botanical extracts
- Antimicrobial activity of aromatic constituents from essential oils.
- Identification of botanicals with potential therapeutic use against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections.
- The Plague: An investigation into the efficacy of historically therapeutic botanicals.
- Mechanism of action of botanicals: Botanicals with anti-bacterial quinolone activity.
- Mechanism of action of botanicals: Botanicals with anti-bacterial B-lactam activity.
- Bacterial specificity of antibacterial botanicals based on cellular structure and improved efficacy with the addition of membrane permeabilizers.
- Non-enzymatic anti-bacterial activity of honey based on floral origin.
- Characterization of anti-Candida albicans activity associated with botanical tinctures and oils.
- Characterization of the in vivo and in vitro immune response related to the botanical, Astragalus membranaceous and other immune modulatory botanicals
- Characterization of immune cell receptors and signal transduction pathways involved in immune stimulation by Astragalus membranaceous: role of bacterial lipopolysaccharides and lipoproteins.
- Characterization of the activity of the Pitcher plant, Sarracenia purpurea, against human papilloma virus and associated cancers.
- Cancer killing potential of botanical plant and fungus extracts.
- Characterization and identification of microbial contaminants in botanical tinctures.
- Standardization of botanical extracts: activity assays vs. marker compounds.
- Characterization of the anti-microbial activity associated with colloidal silver.
- Efficacy of ozone in inhibiting microbial growth in relationship to human cell toxicity.
- Screening of botanical extracts from North America and North Africa used traditionally for management of Type II Diabetes.