Millions of Americans consume plant based foods, including dietary supplements and functional foods with the hope of preventing or even treating inflammation and associated chronic diseases. However, limited research is investigating safety, efficacy and dosing recommendations of non-nutrient bioactive food compounds. Hence, consumers, public health care, as well as food industry, have little to no guidance related to the efficacy, safety and intake recommendations. The overall objective of our laboratory is to investigate pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of bioactive plant compounds and their metabolites and their anti-inflammatory efficacy in the reduction of risk factors for chronic degenerative diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease and their underlying molecular mechanisms. , pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and underlying molecular mechanisms in a translational research approach (bench to bedside) of polyphenolics in fruits and vegetables in collaboration with an interdisciplinary research team. It is our long-term goal to contribute valuable information to the future development of dosing recommendation for these non-nutrient food components that meets the needs of public health care, patients and consumers, and food and dietary supplement industry.

Dr. Susanne Talcott’s research focuses on translational pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of botanical compounds and their physiological metabolites related to inflammation, cancer prevention, and intestinal health with a focus on human clinical trials.

1. Arbizu, S, Mertens-Talcott, SU, Talcott, S, Noratto, GD. Dark Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium) Supplementation Reduced Blood Pressure and Pro-Inflammatory Interferon Gamma (IFNγ) in Obese Adults without Affecting Lipid Profile, Glucose Levels and Liver Enzymes. Nutrients. 2023;15 (3):. doi: 10.3390/nu15030681. PubMed PMID:36771387 PubMed Central PMC9920461.
2. Silveira Rabelo, AC, Mertens-Talcott, SU, Chew, BP, Noratto, G. Dark Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium) Anthocyanins Suppressed ERK1/2-Akt/mTOR Cell Signaling and Oxidative Stress: Implications for TNBC Growth and Invasion. Molecules. 2022;27 (21):. doi: 10.3390/molecules27217245. PubMed PMID:36364072 PubMed Central PMC9657292.
3. de Aguiar Cipriano, P, Kim, H, Fang, C, Paula Venancio, V, Mertens-Talcott, SU, Talcott, ST et al.. In vitro digestion, absorption and biological activities of acylated anthocyanins from purple sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas). Food Chem. 2022;374 :131076. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.131076. PubMed PMID:34915366 .