Finding new drugs for mental disorders from traditional plants
Official title: Isolation and identification of CXCR4 and CXCR7 agonists from traditional phytopharmaceuticals as potential novel drugs for mental disorders
Funded at Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia · NIH-10224360 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how traditional plants from Peru might help find new treatments for mental health issues like anxiety and depression by looking for helpful compounds in their extracts.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lima, Peru) |
| Project start | August 1, 2020 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2021 |
| Award (this year) | $134,962 |
| NIH project number | 5R21TW011798-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10224360 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with mental health disorders that are not responsive to new treatment approaches or those who do not wish to explore alternative therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the potential of traditional medicinal plants to discover new treatments for mental disorders. By analyzing ethanol extracts from a large collection of plants used in Peruvian medicine, the team aims to isolate compounds that interact with specific receptors in the brain linked to mental health. The study involves collaboration with a specialized program to conduct bioassays, which will help identify promising new drug candidates. Ultimately, the goal is to uncover new therapeutic pathways for conditions like anxiety and depression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of novel medications for treating mental health disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in utilizing traditional medicine for drug discovery, indicating potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia
Lima, Peru Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gallo, Carla — Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia
- Study coordinator: Gallo, Carla
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.