03.01.09
The Hormel Institute, Austin, MN, has received a $1 million research grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study an Oriental herbal compound, PGG, which may help prevent prostate cancer. The herbal compound 1, 2, 3, 4, 6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose (PGG) is present in some Oriental medicinal herbals. A number of cell studies indicate the compound may have a strong cancer inhibitory effect. If research proves PGG is a safe and effective cancer preventive compound in animal models, scientists will plan for human clinical trials. The goal will be to benefit both prostate cancer patients and men’s health in general. The NIH grant is for $1 million, with an additional $525,000 added to that for supporting the costs associated with the research project.