Message from the President

2017, No. 2

Society for Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research GA Gesellschaft für Arzneipflanzen- und Naturstoff-Forschung e.V.

thank to our charming secretary Dr. Birgit Benedek. During these years she has constantly represented the hearth of the society, a key element has dedicated a lot of time to GA with passion and hard work! Thank you from all GA members who have constantly appreciated your composed and gentle personality! Thank you to our past president Prof. M. Ham- burger! I want to express here my special gratitude for his great contribution to a variety of tasks in the renovation of the GA and its future orientation. Special thanks to Prof. R. Bauer who had decided to step down as a member of the advisory board by the end of 2017. Rudi has served GA for a very long and fruitful period as a member of the advisory board, vice-president and president of GA ex- ceptionally for three terms. I am glad he will continue to work for GA as president of our foundation “Plants for Health”. I would like to remind the aims of the foundation and I auspicate an increasing Dear members, number of donations to the foundation. A huge thank you to all the other members who are Publication of the second newsletter coincides no longer in the advisory board, namely Dr. C. Ag- with the end of my first term as GA president, look- yare, Prof. D. Csupor and Dr. G. Meng for their sig- ing back to the past two years actions, but also nificant contribution to the GA activities. thinking about the future development of our soci- I am happy that Prof. J. Rollinger as vice-president ety. It is a special honour and a privilege to begin and Dr. Heba Aziz-Kalbhenn as secretary will join my second term as president. I really hope to bring the executive committee. I cordially welcome the GA members together to make our science better, new elected members of the advisory board A. to expand and improve scientific training and men- Kiss, C. Vissiennon, A. Hunyadi, K. Skalicka- torship at all levels, to provide venues for our Wozniak, and I would like to congratulate the members to share their findings and to establish re-elected board members. I am confident all the important contacts to facilitate scientific exchange team will be promptly active in managing the grow- and collaboration. So, thank you for your contin- ing tasks of GA actions. ued support, and please do not hesitate to let me This year GA has supported many events, I partic- know what you think will make us even better. I ipated to the 21st International Congress “Phyto need the help and suggestions of all of you to sup- pharm 2017” and 10th Anniversary of the TCM Re- port the future activities of the GA. search Center in Graz (Austria) from July 2nd to 5th. I want to express my utmost gratitude to Profes- The meeting was very successful and a detailed sors M. Hamburger and V. Butterweck and all the report of this event is in this NL. On 13th October I other members of the organizing team of the 65th took part to the Symposium dedicated to the Annual GA Meeting in Basel. My sincerest con- memory of Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. m ult. Fritz H. Kemper gratulation for assembling such a successful (Bonn, Germany). He was a very enthusiastic annual meeting! You will find a detailed report scientist with an impressive leadership and ability meeting in this NL. This year numerous awards to motivate people. I also participated to the scien- were donated by GA and included the Egon Stahl tific workshop “Fevervew and parthenolide – Award in Gold to Prof. R. Verpoorte, the Egon phytochemical, pharmacological and clinical Stahl Award in Silver to Prof. A. Hunyadi, the Hon- evidence” on November 16th, in Vienna (Austria). orary membership to Prof. M.T.E. Khayyal, the Bi- It was very stimulating workshop, I would like to onorica Phytoneering Award to Prof. A.K. Kiss and continue in the future this special format. A de- co-workers, the Dr. Willmar Schwabe Research tailed report of this event is in this NL. Scholarship to Ms. D. Hammoud. This year GA Now to the important news for 2018. The next 66th has also generously sponsored seventeen travel Annual Meeting will take place in Shangai, China grants for PhD students and three travel grants for from August 26th to 29th. This year the meeting will post docs and poster awards. I heartily invite all be jointly with 11th Shanghai International Confer- the GA members to read the announcement in this ence on Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural NL to submit proposals for the next year awards Medicines! Prof. D. Guo as chair of the organizing and travel grants! committee has written in this NL the announce- I also express my sincerest gratitude to the mem- ment to give you some information on the con- bers of the ExC and Advisory Board step down for gress and the program. The congress represent a the great support in the past two years. A special unique occasion for all the members to present the NEWSLETTER NEWSLETTER latest achievements in the field of medici- Egon-Stahl Award in Bronze. If you are a sons to encourage all of you to further sup- nal plants and natural product research, senior scientist from a lesser developed port publications in our journal. Congratu- but also to encounter different cultural vi- country, inform your PhD students of the lations to Prof. V. Butterweck and her staff sions in a friendly international atmos- Dr. Willmar-Schwabe Research Scholar- for these successful goals. Moreover, I do phere. Please read the announcement of ship! And if you are one of our numerous confidence that the open access journal the congress in this newsletter, and consult young GA members from lesser developed will also be embraced by the GA members! the congress website (www.ga2018.cn) for countries, talk to your supervisor and ex- Additionally, I would like to remind to all GA further details on this important event! plore with him a possible application. I can members that a low rate online access to During the congress several awards will be only repeat that this scholarship may be a Planta Medica articles is available; I hope donated from GA, the Egon Stahl Award in unique opportunity for your career! Thus, I that this service will intensively be used Bronze, the Dr. Willmar Schwabe-Award look forward to numerous applications. and that more members will consider Plan- Award, and the Dr. Willmar Schwabe Re- GA will also co-organise several meetings, ta Medica for the publication of their valu search Scholarship. Announcements of the “Phytopharm 2018” on June from 25th able results. the awards are in this newsletter and on to 27th in Wädenswil (Switzerland) and Thank you to Prof. A. Hensel for his great the GA website. I encourage also the “Phytotherapie- Kongress 2018” in Vienna dedication and invaluable job as Editor of young members to apply for the travel (Austria) from May 31st to June 2nd. Please the NL. A special thought and sincere grants, there were numerous opportunities consult the GA website for further details! thanks to Prof. Pia Vuorela (Helsinki), editor for both PhD students and post-doc this Finally, I would like to reiterate my invitation of Planta Medica International Open, who year! Again I wanted to draw the attention to all of you: submit manuscripts to Planta passed away Sunday 1st October 2017 at of ALL GA members to these awards and Medica and Planta Medica International the age of 56 years. prizes of our society. You all should consid- Open! Our official journals thrive with the Let me close by wishing you all a happy, er whether your research, or maybe that of contributions of GA members. This year prosperous, and successful 2018! a research group you closely collaborate two important achievements for Planta with, would fit with the aims of these priz- Medica: the increased IF (2.34!) and recog- Cordially, es, or if you know of an outstanding young nition as Q1 journal in integrative and com- scientist that would be elegible for the plementary medicine. Two important rea- Anna Rita Bilia, GA President

Notes from the Society

Deceased members Editorial remark

(to our knowledge) All contributions for the GA-Newsletter are welcome. Pia Vuorela, Turku, Finland, passed away on 1 Oct. 2017 in the age of 56 years. She had been GA member Deadline for submission is fixed since 1985. to May 25th 2018.

Erna Popp, Nürnberg, Germany, passed away on 6 Dec. 2017 in the Please send all contributions age of 99 years. She had been by e-mail: GA member since 1953. Prof. Dr. A. Hensel University of Münster, The Society will keep Institute for Pharmaceutical commemoration and offers its Biology and Phytochemistry, sincere condolence. Corrensstrasse 48, D-48149 Münster, Germany Obituary see this Newsletter [email protected]

2 Status seminar of the future of GA

On the occasion of the annual meeting a uation 76% of all suggest to work on net- status seminar was organised to discuss working events and to provide more infor- future activities and strategies of the socie- mation on funding what may bind more ty. Based on a member survey being open young researchers to GA. between 5th March and 21st May 2017, 185 members participated and told us, From the survey turned out that respond- how they think about the society, its organ- ing members want more internationalisa- isation, strategy and what should be im- tion with more activities outside Europe es- proved. Overall, analysed data showed pecially in Africa. Some suggestions rec- that 78.3% of responding members are ommend voting of the president and board happy to very happy with GA and 60.4% members by Internet to be more transpar- feel being well and very well informed. ent and allow more true democracy. The Most important research fields why mem- reputation of our journal Planta Medica is bers join GA and should be addressed in considered excellent and complimentary the future as well are Phytochemical Anal- access for members is a suggestion. The ysis (65.6%), Phytopharmacology (61.8%) demand for more reduced registration fees and Pharmacognosy (53.6%). Recent up- even for members coming from low in- As Executive Board member I am very coming research areas like Biotechnology, come countries has been mentioned as happy and confident that GA attracts high Computational Approaches do not play a well. interest and awareness in our society is major role (<20%). high. With all future challenges we have to During the status seminar these questions face in a changing environment where Most favourite way of communication is have been discussed. Without providing fi- commercial conference organizers, new still email (90.8%) followed by our website nal solutions the overall opinion was that faction societies and very high diversity in and the GA Newsletter. Other recent social for instance financial matters of Planta former streamlined research, I am media web services like Twitter, Instagram Medica cannot be discussed in the board convinced GA is doing well and we under- or Facebook still do not play a major role and the Executive Board should look clos- stand our core business. Of course, all crit- (<20%). About 69.5% of all responders er how the society can strengthen their ac- icism provokes us to be better. The Execu- think that GA achieves its goals as a truly tivity outside Europe with strategic action tive Board has learned a lot from the survey international organisation and will act as a plans (e.g. Network for Africa, participation and the seminar why we want to install it as platform for scientific exchange. Besides of GA in EU calls). Web based communica- constant communication tool at future of this positive result main criticism is ad- tion and voting must be evaluated in the fu- meetings. But listening once a year is nice dressed to the Euro centralised focus and ture. Here, our webinars have an excellent but not enough why we ask you to commu- there is a wish for more members on both response rate and modern communication nicate as soon as any burning issue is boards coming outside of Europe. Espe- services have to be evaluated by the Exec- keeping you busy. cially engagement of young researchers is utive Board. still an issue and only 55.4% think that GA Prof. Dr. Oliver Kayser, is performing well here. To improve the sit- University of Dortmund, Germany

Some Data from the Membership Data Base

New GA members

Since May 2017 the following 58 members zerland; Thomas Goels, Austria; Verena la Liseth Vaca Altamirano, Italy; Veronika have joined our Society. Hiebl, Austria; John Igoli, Nigeria; Vallion, France; Sundaresan Velusamy, In- Aakanchha Jain, India; Sourabh Jain, In- dia; Amita Verma, India; Jelena Vladic, Anastasia Agapouda, Switzerland; Nneka dia; Mohammed Abdullah Jainul, Malay- Serbia; Dongdong Wang, China; Qiyan Akwu, South Africa; Mohamed Alajmi, sia; Seul A Jin, South Korea; Ripu Kunwar, Wang-Müller, Switzerland; Eric Woith, Saudi-Arabia; Oluwakemi Ariyo, Nigeria; Nepal; Allan Patrick Macabeo, Philippines; Germany; Reza Zadali, Iran; Silvia Zam- Karin Berger Büter; Switzerland; Sumana Bishnu Marasini, Nepal; Aminu Moham- brana, Bolivia; Zoltán Péter Zomborszki, Bhowmick; Great Britain; Daniel Boamah, med, Nigeria; Maryam Mosaffa-Jahromi, Hungary; Julia Zwirchmayr, Austria Ghana; Steffen Breinlinger, Germany; Iran; Julia Moschny, Germany; Dulcie Théo Brillatz, Switzerland; Hendrik Mulholland, Great Britain; Monica Mame Bussmann, Germany; Jiha Byun, South Soma Nyansa, Ghana; Patrick Okwany, GA warmly welcomes all new members Korea; Onyedika Chukwuma, Germany; Uganda; Barbara Pacchetti, Switzerland; and hopes that the Society may serve Phu Dang, Vietnam; Niranjan Das, India; Felipe Penagos-Tabares, Austria; Jakob them as an international platform for many Ali EL-Hagrassy, Egypt; Sherif Elshahawi, Reinhardt, Switzerland; Muhammad Riaz, scientific and personal contacts. USA; Marycolette Ezediokpu, Germany; Pakistan; Stefan Schönbichler, Austria; Ibukum Famuyide, South Africa; Moham- Krystyna Skalicka-Wozniak, Poland; mad Omar Faruque, Bangladesh; Maira Nikolaos Tsafantakis, Greece; Irvin Tu- Fonseca, Portugal; Laurent Gheller, Swit- bon, Italy; Mary Twumasi, Ghana; Gabrie- Dr. Birgit Benedek, GA Secretary

3 The administration of our Society at Work ...

The Executive Board and the Board of Directors during a long day discussion meeting on the future directions of the society, the day before the annual GA meeting in Basel, Switzerland.

Obituary: Pia Maarit Vuorela (née Härmälä) 1961– 2017

We are tremendously saddened to inform vum in the years 1995–1996. During the the community that Pia Vuorela, Professor years 1999–2013 she had a close relation- of Pharmaceutical biology, passed away ship to FIMEA, the Finnish Medicines on the 1st of October 2017, after a several Agency, being a consultant and member/ years lasting struggle with cancer, at the vice chair of the pharmacopoeia-commit- age of 56 years. Our memory of her re- tee appointed by the Ministry of Social Af- mains as of one who was brimming with fairs and Health Care. vitality, brilliance and wit. Her warm, yet fiercely independent and determined per- While being fully bilingual in Swedish and sonality together with her influential schol- Finnish, Pia was appointed in August 2005 arship attracted students and colleagues as a Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemis- from around the University of Helsinki, and try into Swedish-speaking Åbo Akademi teaching methods and was responsible for indeed around the world. We will miss her University. She was the Head of the disci- several compulsory and optional courses, deeply. pline (Pharmaceutical sciences) during the as well as laboratory courses. years 2006–2012 and the Vice-director of Pia Vuorela was born on the 3rd of March the Department of Biosciences during the Pia Vuorela educated nearly 30 doctoral 1961 in Vasa, Finland and got her Swed- years 2010–2012. During that period she students and 10 post-doctoral research- ish-speaking matriculation examination in actively developed the Swedish-speaking ers. They could always count on Pia’s sup- May 1980 as her basic education in Närpes education in pharmacy. port and imagination when facing prob- Gymnasium in Österbotten. She graduated lems. She was especially driven to relent- in May 1988 as a Master of Pharmacy In 2013 Pia got a Professorship in pharma- lessly help students and encourage them (Pharmacognosy) and in November 1991 ceutical biology in the Faculty of Pharma- to always aim higher in their scientific ca- as a Ph.D (Pharmacognosy) at the Univer- cy, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences reers. Pia published about 150 publica- sity of Helsinki. Pia also acquired training in and in 2014 she was appointed as a Vice tions. She had a great skill to present her leadership, courses offered to university Dean (education and bilingualism). ideas so that they were very attractive in professors in leading positions, and also order to obtain research funding. She was extensive training in university pedagogics. During all the years, close to Pia’s heart also charming and spirited in her ability to was being involved in teaching, develop- collaborate and engage with colleagues all Pia served several positions during the ment of teaching and supervision of bach- over the world. All her students and col- years 1991–2005 in the University of Hel- elor, master and doctoral training levels, leagues feel her absence tremendously. sinki. To mention a few, as a university lec- especially in the pharmacy curriculum. The turer, chief research scientist and director main disciplines were pharmaceutical Pia Vuorela was highly collegial and active- of the Research Center of Department of microbiology, pharmaceutical chemistry, ly joined many university and academic Pharmacy. She also served as the Respon- pharmacognosy and pharmaceutical biol- bodies in Finland, Nordic countries and Eu- sible director of a pharmaceutical whole- ogy. During the years, Pia produced sever- rope. She was during the years 1989–1997 sale company, Instrumentarium/Medino- al teaching books, e-material, developed a member and a chairperson of the Phar-

4 macy Club for Swedish speaking pharma- Pia was awarded several times: Albert tion in the Faculty of Pharmacy, planning cists in Finland. Equally she acted during Wuokko award in the year 1992: For note- books, and not to mention several aca- the years 1995–2006 as a board member/ worthy work for the benefit to Finnish Phar- demic projects. vice-president/president in The Finnish maceutical sciences by Finnish Pharma- Pharmaceutical Society that was also the ceutical Society. Highest ranking Finnish Pia’s work was her great hobby. She could, member of the Federation of Finnish doctoral candidate in the year 1994: Pro- however, often spare time for organizing Learned Societies. Noteworthy is also her motio Ordinis Philosophorum Universitatis parties at home to friends, family and of active engagement in European Federation Helsingensis MCMXCIV. Albert Wuokko course to colleagues. She enjoyed good for Pharmaceutical Sciences (EUFEPS) Award in the year 2011: For Noteworthy food and wine, but liked when someone during the years 1996–2009 as a council work for the benefit of Finnish Pharmaceu- else prepared it. Champagne with straw- member, internal auditor, executive com- tical sciences by Finnish Pharmaceutical berries was always a great start in these mittee member and vice-president. In all Society. This was for the first time that the activities. these bodies Pia was always enthusiastic, Albert Wuokko Award was nominated supportive, flexible and the person who twice for the same nominate, first as a jun- She is survived by her friends, family and wanted to find a solution that would carry ior and then as a senior. her son, Paul. the case or problem forward and be accepted by all. In the last years Pia Vuorela was eagerly immersed in many projects, including Adyary Fallarero strengthening Swedish-speaking educa- Heikki Vuorela

Obituary: In memoriam Erna Popp, Last of the founding members of GA

Pharmacist/decorated with the Federal Cross of Merit (Bundesverdienstkreuz)

* October 7th, 1918 † December 6th, 2017 (1918 – 2017)

With Erna Popp we are losing an extraordi- This fundamental interest also showed in nary personality that significantly shaped her being one of the first 50 members of the history of success of the company GA after the foundation of the society in Bionorica SE. the year 1953. Her membership number was 1000042. GA was her “pharmaceutical With her expertise, commitment, entrepre- home” and she remained faithful to GA neurial aptitude and cordial modesty, she until her death, for nearly 65 years. For this built up the small company of her father to- continuous support of the GA and her gether with her brother Hans after the achievements with regards to application Second World War. With a lot of energy and of her expertise to secure the availability of perseverance she laid ground for the histo- high quality herbal medicinal products, she ry of success of Bionorica SE in those first was honoured by GA on the occasion of leading personality. Her interest in research years. her 70th birthday in 1988. She was very on medicinal plants also strongly influ- pleased by this honour – although it might enced her nephew Prof. Dr. Michael Popp She was a pharmacist par excellence, with not have showed, as she was very modest who lives for research, has actively worked high requirements to the pharmaceutical and rather avoided the limelight… for GA in the managing board of the socie- quality in her fields of responsibility: quality ty and has ever since released his employ- control/analytical development and pro- At the end of 1988, she retired, laying the ees from work to be able to support GA. duction of medicinal products. She was leadership of the company into the hands diligent and exact and laid the ground for a of her nephew, Prof. Dr. Michael Popp. The GA will keep Erna Popp in honorary very high quality standard for the given Erna Popp was a warm, kind person, al- memory as a treasured and valuable mem- time. She was open-minded and very inter- ways caring for every one of her col- ber of many years. ested in research and development and leagues, always modest, never wanting to implemented innovative new analytical be in the focus of attention. methods in her quality control laboratory For Michael Popp and many colleagues Dr. Gudrun Abel (e.g. during the 80ies HPLC analysis). she was, is and will remain role model and Forchheim, Germany

5 Announcement of the Egon Stahl-Award in Bronze 2018 of the Society for Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research (GA)

On the occasion of his 60th birthday, Pro- 26–29, 2018. The award-winning scientific Deadline for submissions for the Egon fessor Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Egon Stahl donated results shall be presented during the con- Stahl-Award 2018 is March 15, 2018. a medal, a document and a monetary prize gress in a lecture of 30 minutes. in order to recognize and promote young Members of the Society for Medicinal Plant November 2017, Prof. Dr. Anna Rita Bilia, scientists working in the field of Pharma- and Natural Product Research are invited GA President cognosy (Pharmaceutical Biology) and An- to submit nominations for candidates, to- alytical Phytochemistry. gether with supporting data. A nomination The bronze medal and an award of € 1.500 for the prize (self-nominations will not be Documents are to be sent in electronic is given to young scholars up to the age of considered) should include a motivation form, attached to an email to: Prof. Dr. about thirty whose thesis are of outstand- letter explaining the significance of the sci- Anna Rita Bilia, Department of Chemistry, ing quality. entific achievements of the candidate, a University of Florence, I-50019 Sesto Fio In 2018 the Egon Stahl Award in Bronze will curriculum vitae of the candidate, an index rentino, Florence, Italy. e-mail: ar.bilia@unifi. be given in a ceremony during the 66th In- on his/her publications, and reprints of his/ it ternational Congress and Annual Meet- her most significant publications. ing of GA in Shanghai (China), August

Announcement of the Dr. Willmar Schwabe-Award 2018 by the Society for Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research (GA)

The Dr. Willmar Schwabe-Award acknowl- institutions are entitled to apply. Up to ing of GA in Shanghai (China), August edges outstanding results of pharmaco- three relevant scientific publications on a 26–29, 2018. The award-winning scientific logical and/or clinical research in the field specific topic which have been published results shall be presented during the con- of herbal medicinal products. The award is during the last three years can be consid- gress in a lecture of 30 minutes. endowed with 10,000 € by the endowing ered. They must be submitted together sponsor Dr. Willmar Schwabe GmbH, with CV(s) and list(s) of publications, along November 2017, Prof. Dr. Anna Rita Bilia, Karlsruhe (Germany). with an accompanying document explain- GA President The aim of the award is to motivate young- ing the significance and relevance of the er scientists (preferably 40 years or young- submitted publications in the broader sci- er) to resolve phytotherapeutical and phy- entific context. Deadline for submissions Documents are to be sent in electronic topharmaceutical problems in an interdis- for the Dr. Willmar Schwabe Award 2016 is form, attached to an email to: Prof. Dr. ciplinary approach, in order to support the February 28th, 2018. Anna Rita Bilia, Department of Chemistry, evidence-based use of natural products. The Dr. Willmar Schwabe Award will be be- University of Florence, I-50019 Sesto Fio Scientists and research groups of universi- stowed in a ceremony during the 66th In- rentino, Florence, Italy. e-mail: ar.bilia@unifi. ties and other non-commercial scientific ternational Congress and Annual Meet- it

6 Announcement of the Dr. Willmar Schwabe Research Scholarship 2018 for Young Scientists by the Society for Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research

Awarding Institution: Society for Medici- • The hosting institution states in the Let- presented during the next annual con- nal Plant and Natural Product Research ter of Acceptance that (i) it is prepared to gress, preferably in a short lecture. The (GA) cover the cost of consumables used for awardee has to prepare a final report on Endowing Sponsor: Dr. Willmar Schwabe the research project; (ii) that the student the project supported by this grant. This GmbH & Co. KG, Karlsruhe (Germany) will have an adequate laboratory infra- report is to be signed by the head of the Endowment: 10,000 € structure and; (iii) that a tutor is assigned host institution. A copy of the signed report who will supervise the applicant during has to be sent to the GA president and to Objective: The aim of the Dr. Willmar his/her stay. Dr. Willmar Schwabe GmbH & Co. KG. In Schwabe Research Scholarship for Young case of publication of the results the award Scientists is to support young scientists, Documents for Application has to be mentioned in the Acknowledge- especially from developing countries, in a • Letter of Motivation (applicant) ment. research attachment to a leading research • Letter of Support (supervisor) institution. Projects focusing on pharma- • CV and list of publications The deadline of submissions for the 2017 cological or clinical research of phytophar- • Project description including experimen- announcement is February 28th 2017. maceuticals and their active substances tal design, time schedule and justifica- are particularly welcome. The award is ex- tion why the research shall be performed November 2017, Prof. Dr. Anna Rita Bilia, clusively used for travelling and living costs in the respective institution GA President of the awardee, and not for consumables. • Letter of Acceptance (hosting institution) Duration of the attachment of at least 6 • Confirmation of the host institution to months is mandatory. cover the laboratory costs (consum Applications are to be sent in electronic ables) form, attached to an email to: Prof. Dr. Criteria for Application • Specification of costs for travelling and Anna Rita Bilia, Department of Chemistry, • Advanced PhD students(year 2 on- living University of Florence, I-50019 Sesto Fio wards), and postdocs. rentino, Florence, Italy. e-mail: ar.bilia@unifi. • In case of similar scientific quality of ap- The Dr. Willmar Schwabe Research Schol- it plications applicants from developing arship for Young Scientists will be be- countries shall have priority. stowed in a ceremony during the will be • GA membership for at least one year pri- granted during the 66th International or to application, with paid fees. Congress and Annual Meeting of GA in • Age: preferably 30 years of age (post- Shanghai (China), August 26–29, 2018. docs) or younger (PhD students). The scientific results of the project shall be

Dedication of Planta Medica Special Issue to Professor Dr. Max Wichtl

Since some years Planta Medica is pub- lishing Special Issues dedicated to eminent scientists in the field of natural products research. This year such a Special Issue was prepared to honor Prof. Max Wichtl for his contributions to cardenolide research, and for his immensely popular handbook “Herbal Drugs and Phytophar- maceuticals” (German title “Teedogen und Phytopharmaka”). A copy of the Special Issue was given to Prof. Wichtl during the Award Ceremony by the Issue Editors Profs. Brigitte Kopp and Judith Rollinger, and the Editor-in-Chief Prof. Veronika But- terweck.

7 Egon-Stahl-Award in Gold of the Society for Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research for Prof. Dr. Robert Verporte, Leiden

The Egon Stahl Award in Gold is the highest journals in the field, and was Editor and and most prestigious scientific honour of Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Ethno the Society for Medicinal Plant Research pharmacology, Editor-in-Chief of Phyto- (GA). The ESA in Gold acknowledges the chemical Reviews, Executive editor of Bio- outstanding scientific lifetime work of a re- technology Letters, and chairman of the search scientist who has been closely linked Organizing Committee of the Joint meeting to Pharmaceutical Biology (Pharmacogno- of the ASP, AFERP, GA and PSE in 1999. sy, Chemistry of Natural Products), through By honouring Prof. Verporte with the ESA in his or her scientific career. A gold medal and Gold, GA express its great esteem for him 5,000 € awarded to the recipient. personally and for his extraordinary scientif- Laureate of this year’s ESA Gold is Prof. Dr. ic personality. Personally, I appreciate his Robert Verporte of the University of Leiden, ‘Dutch charm’ and not only because he fits NL! the typical stereotype (tall, with blond hair Prof. Robert Verporte received a Master’s and blue eyes) but also for his courtesy, tol- degree in pharmaceutical sciences in 1970 erance, and open and international orienta- and graduated in Pharmacy in 1972 at the tion, while being modest and avoiding os- University of Leiden. In the same year start- tentatiousness. During his academic career, ed his PhD course, discussing his thesis on he was invited as guest professor to Lon- pharmacologically active compounds from don (UK), Uppsala (Sweden), Amiens Strychnos species in 1976. He was firstly a (France), Reims (France), Seoul (Korea), lecturer at Leiden University and became Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and Hilo (USA). professor at the department of Pharmacog- Not surprisingly, he has already received Solvents systems. He was one of the first nosy in 1987. His excellent professional rep- several distinctions: Dr. honoris causa of scientists to introduce metabolomics to utation together with an agreeable, his deci- the University of Amiens, France (2004), plant sciences, and thus has truly influ- sive personality led him into a great number and of University of Uppsala, Sweden enced the development of the field. His of situations in which he not only represent- (2012). In 2007 he received the Phyto- topics range from biosynthesis of natural ed his own field with absolute competence chemical Society of Europe Medal. products at biochemical and genetic level, but also kept an eye on the entire field of And his scientific production is absolutely genetic engineering, plant cell culture, me- pharmacy and its scientific and practical as- fascinating and has resulted in more than tabolomics, and new isolation/purification pects. From 1993 to 1997 he was Dean of 750 peer-reviewed publications. In addi- methods for natural products. Throughout Education of the Center for Bio-Pharmaceu- tion, these publications have very often his work innovative aspects have played a tical Sciences at Leiden University. From been cited: between 1965 and 2017, major role, and led to major breakthroughs, 2003 to 2011 he was head of the department 15 653 times, which is an average of 333 like the heterologous expression of the of Pharmacognosy/Plant Cell Biotechnology, citations per year! Prof. Verpoorte’s teach- plant metabolite strictosidine. section Metabolomics, IBL, at Leiden Uni- ing career in the field of pharmaceutical bi- With immense pleasure, GA has decided to versity and from May 2011 he is an Emeritus ology and pharmacognosy was always bestow the Egon-Stahl-Award in Gold Professor, Natural Products Laboratory, IBL, been competent and constant, with 66 2017 to you, Robert! This award honours Leiden University He is author of more than PhD students having accomplished their outstanding researchers in the field of nat- 725 scientific papers, 4 books and 7 patent doctorate under his supervision. ural product research for their lifetime applications and has given 15–20 invited lec- But I consider Prof. Robert Verpoorte first achievements and throughout your career tures per year in the past 15 years. The 2017 class for the originality, novelty and diversi- you have been a pioneer in numerous as- H factor is rated 61 (Web of Science), 84 ty of the research work he has conducted pects related to natural products, and a (Google Scholar) and 67 (Scopus). throughout his carrier. most prolific and internationally visible sci- He has strengthened and supported Phar- Consistently novel methods have been re- entist. Congratulations! maceutical Biology as a member of the ported from his laboratory, including the re- Editorial advisory board of a number of cently described Natural Deep Eutectic Anna Rita Bilia, President of GA

Egon-Stahl-Award in Silver of the Society for Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research for Prof. Dr. Attila Hunyadi, Szeged, Hungary

In 1985, on the occasion of his 60th birth- of 3,000 euros is given to a scientist, up to Szeged, Hungary. After taking a Pharmacist day, Professor Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Egon Stahl the age of forty, who has published out- degree at the University of Szeged, in 2007, donated a medal, certificate and a mone- standing scientific work in the years follow- he obtained his PhD in Pharmacognosy sum- tary prize in order to recognize and pro- ing his or her university graduation. ma cum laude with the thesis entitled “Serrat- mote distinguished young scientists work- The 2017 Silver Medal was awarded to ula wolfii, as a promising source of ecdyster- ing in the field of Pharmacognosy (Pharma- Prof. Dr. Attila Hunyadi. oids”. For this study he received the 1st Prize ceutical Biology) and Analytical Phyto- He has been an Associate Professor in Phar- from the Hungarian Chemical society. In the chemistry. The silver medal and an award macognosy since 2016 at the University of same year, he obtained a Post-doc fellow-

8 ship from the National Science Council in Tai- During his career, he has developed an im- entific area, 13 book chapters, and 39 pres- wan and developed the first synthesis of pro- portant network of international collabora- entations in international congresses. The toapigneone, an anticancer compound. In tions and, particularly, has played a key role award was given by the President of GA, 2015 he achieved the certification for a in developing a dual degree program with and Prof. Dr. Attila Hunyadi delivered a lec- teaching position. In 2016, he gained the co-supervision of the thesis between Tai- ture on the second day of the congress. highest award in Hungary that honours wan and his lab. His scientific achievements young scientists for outstanding achieve- are reported in 50 top quality international Anna Rita Bilia, President of GA ments in the field of natural product research. publications in the best journals for his sci-

Honorary Membership of GA to Prof. Dr. Mohamed Taky El-Din Khayyal

The Society for Medicinal Plant and Natu- lege to work in the labs of the late Prof. G. ral Product Research (GA) appoints merito- Kuschinsky under his direct supervision. rious members as Honorary Members. Late in 1960 he joined the Pharmacology During the 2017 Annual Congress of GA, Department at the School of Pharmacy, Prof. Dr. Mohamed Taky El-Din Khayyal, London University (the Square) late in 1960 Cairo, Egypt, was awarded with the Honor- and studied in a wealthy scientific entou- ary Membership. rage of eminent pharmacologists, includ- Prof. Dr. Mohamed Taky El-Din Khayyal is ing G. B. West, W. C. Bowman, M. Barrett, emeritus Professor of Pharmacology, Fac- P. S. J. Spencer, A. Cuthbert, B. A. Calling- ulty of Pharmacy, at the Cairo University ham and others under the supervision of and Academic Counsellor for Pharmacy Prof. G. A. H. Buttle. After obtaining his other Universities in Egypt (Mansoura) and and Biotechnology, German University in Ph.D. in September 1964, he stayed on for the Arab world, e.g. Aleppo (Syria) and Cairo, was born in Cairo on October 26th a further 6 months on a post-doctoral grant Amman (Jordan). He was a recipient of Fel- 1937. He attended Victoria College in Alex- from the WHO, before returning home to lowships from the Alexander von Humboldt andria from 1943 till 1954 from which he Cairo in March 1965 to take up the post of Foundation, (1978), and Fulbright Founda- obtained the Oxford and Cambridge Lecturer in Pharmacology at the Faculty of tion (1987). He received his training as a School certificates. He obtained his Bach- Pharmacy, Cairo University. Since his re- pharmacologist at the Universities of Ham- elor of Pharmacy degree in 1958 from Al- turn to Cairo, MTK helped in establishing burg, Mainz and London. Presently, he is exandria University. He started his aca- the Department of Pharmacology at the President of the Egyptian Society of Phar- demic career as a student demonstrator in Faculty of Pharmacy, initially as a senior macology and is an active member of Pharmacology at the Faculty of Medicine, member of staff, then eventually as Head many international scientific societies, in- Cairo University in 1959, then was granted of Department, when he was appointed as cluding GA. He has also served for almost a State Scholarship to attend a Ph.D. Professor in 1976. MTK headed the Dept. 20 years as a consultant to the Egyptian course in Pharmacology abroad. Late in for nearly 17 years and spent 6 years as Ministry of Health on various drug regula- 1959, he left to Germany, where he spent 6 Vice-Dean of the Faculty. During his tenure tory Committees as well as to local Phar- months at the University of Hamburg, then of Professorship, MTK helped to establish maceutical companies. In July 2002, he 6 months in Mainz, where he had the privi- other Departments of Pharmacology in was elected to the Executive Board of the International Union of Pharmacology (IUPHAR) and remained in the board until 2010. Mohamed is a great friend and his hospitability is famous. He has invited hun- dreds of guests from the scientific world to his institute in Cairo and to his home, thus contributing not only to scientific exchange but also to furthering personal contacts among individuals. Honorary membership is bestowed to Prof. Khayyal in recognition for his important modern developments of molecular and pharmaceutical biology, for promoting in-vivo studies of natural products, and for contributing to the scientific reputation of GA meetings over the years, building bridges from other disciplines and drawing in many of his students and co-workers as GA members.

Anna Rita Bilia, President of GA

9 Thieme Award 2016 for the most innovative Planta Medica Original Paper

During the GA meeting in Basel, it was the tion “Activities and prevalence of Proteo- Maddox, Colin R. Jackson and David S. fifth time that the Planta Medica best paper bacteria members colonizing Echinacea Pasco as the “most innovative paper” pub- award, sponsored by Thieme, was pre- purpurea fully account for macrophage ac- lished in Planta Medica in 2016 (Planta sented to the most innovative contribution tivation exhibited by extracts of this botan- Med., 2016, 82(14):1258-65). in the previous year. This year, the Editors ical” by Mona H. Haron, Heather L. Tyler, In their outstanding contribution, the au- of Planta Medica have chosen the publica- Nirmal D. Pugh, Rita M. Moraes, Victor L. thors could demonstrate that the activity of Echinacea pupurea extracts is due to the occurence of Proteobacteria colonized with the raw plant material. These findings provide new insights into the selection but also the efficacy of the Echinacea purpurea raw material for the use against respiratory infections since ingestion of bacteria (pro- biotics) is reported to have a protective effect against this health condition. Dr. Nir- mal Pugh from the National Center for Nat- ural Products Research in Oxford, Missis- sippi, USA, accepted the award on behalf of all authors.

Prof. Dr. V. Butterweck, Editor-in-Chief, Planta Medica

Minutes of GA Members Meeting 2017

Protocol of the GA Members She wrote a letter to support “a post-grad- proposal; the week after the GA congress Meeting 2017 uated education in veterinary phytothera- the third transnational meeting will take part py” in the USA on behalf of the GA Animal in Romania. She was in contact with the organisers of the workshop “Feverfew and The Members Meeting took place during Health Network. She attended a press parthenolide – phytochemical, pharmaco- the annual congress in Basel on 5 Sept. conference organised by KFN in Munich on logical and clinical evidence“ which will be 2017 from 6.15 – 8.10 p.m. 152 GA mem- 7 Dec. 2016 together with R. Bauer the held in November 2017 in Vienna. She was bers attended the meeting. foundation “Plants for Health”. She attended a pre-conference meeting for the Phy- in contact with the organisers of the 7th 1. Approval of the Agenda tokongress 2018 in Vienna (8 March 2017 Mistletoe Symposium. President Prof. A.R. Bilia welcomed all par- in Düsseldorf) and as in continuous ex- She informed that Prof. F. Kemper passed ticipants. The agenda, published in the GA change with the scientific committee. J. away on 28 March 2017. Prof. T. Schmidt Newsletter 1-2017, was unanimously ap- Gertsch and O. Kayser were nominated as attended the funeral on behalf of GA. A.R. proved. speakers by GA. She gave the welcome Bilia wrote a condolence letter to his fami- address during the symposium on occa- ly, and she will participate in a symposium 2. Approval of the Protocol of the sion of the 60th birthday of Prof. R. Bauer, in honour of Prof. Kemper in Bonn on 13 Members Meeting 2016 “Medicinal Plant Research in the 21st Cen- Oct. 2017. The minutes of the previous Members tury – Pharmacognosy, quo vadis?” in Graz Meeting on 25 July 2016 in Copenhagen, on 30 Sept. 2016. She participated on be- 3.2. Reports of the Vice-Presidents published in the GA Newsletter 2-2016, half of GA in the 5th International Confer- were unanimously approved. ence on the Modernization of Traditional Report of Vice-President Chinese Medicine in Chengdu in October Prof. M. Hamburger 3. Annual reports 2016. She attended the Thieme meetings As chair of the Organizing Committee for in Stuttgart on 11 Nov. 2016 and in Vienna the 2017 Annual Congress in Basel, he co- 3.1. Report of the President on 20–21 July 2017 where the impact fac- ordinated all preparations for the confer- Prof. A.R. Bilia tor, future special issues, reviews and mar- ence. As head of the Award Committee, he She was in exchange with M. Hamburger keting were discussed. prepared the announcements and coordi- and V. Butterweck regarding the 2017 GA She wrote contributions for NL. She was in nated the review process of applications. meeting, and with the chairs of the future contact with Prof. W. Blaschek and Prof. A. GA meetings in 2018 (Shanghai) and 2019 Hensel regarding the “Bündnis Phytothera- Report of Vice-President Prof. O. Kayser (Innsbruck). She coordinated the nomina- pie”. She was in exchange with the GA He coordinated the working groups “Com- tion of the new GA Honorary Member Prof. secretary and M. Hamburger regarding the munication” and “European Affairs”. He Khayyal. She contributed to the selection updating of the GA website. prepared and evaluated the survey “Future of oral communications for the annual con- She revised abstracts for the Phytopharm of GA”. gress in Basel and to the organization of meeting in Graz, gave the welcome address the Presidential Lunch, and she was in and a lecture; and she was in contact with 3.3. Report of the Secretary contact with the new chair of the Regulato- the organisers of Phytopharm 2018. She Dr. B. Benedek ry Affairs Workshop Dr. W. Knoess. She participated on behalf of GA in the VITA- She organised, attended and documented was a member of the committees for the FOOD in Geneve on 10 May 2017. She was the ExC and BoD meetings during the last selection of the GA awards 2017. in contact with the partners of the European year.

10 She presented the members statistics: GA A new layout was introduced in 2017. GA member is welcome (download from currently has 1314 active members (mem- Color figures are free of charge in the print the website of the foundation a/o copies bers paying regular fee: 631, members version, and multimedia files are now ac- are available from B. Röther). paying reduced fee: 612, company mem- cepted. bers: 30, honorary members: 9, waived The newsletter also has a new layout. A 7. Elections of the Board of Directors fees due to more than 40 years member- blue box is included where all the special Dr. B. Gehrmann coordinated the elec- ship: 33). In addition, 139 new members issues with direct free access are listed. tions. have registered, but have not yet paid their The new website is still under construction. fees (= preliminary members). The total She presented the Thieme-Enago lan- 7.1. Election of the President number of members (active + preliminary) guage editing services which provides Candidate: A.R. Bilia (134 votes) amounts to 1453 (2016: 1346, 2015: 1225, journal authors access to high-quality lan- 2014: 1190, 2013: 1477, 2012: 1339). Four guage editing services. Thieme authors get 7.2. Election of the two Vice-Presidents members have reached 40 years of mem- 20% discount. Candidates: O. Kayser (126 votes), J. Rol bership in 2017 (W. Barz, Germany; M. At the end she presented ten good reasons linger (124 votes) Wink, Germany; B. Meier, Switzerland; G. to publish in Planta Medica and encour- Tittel, Germany). aged all GA members to publish in Planta 7.3. Election of the Secretary She briefly reported about the new mem- Medica (“a journal from members for mem- Candidate: H. Abdel-Aziz (139 votes) bership software. The membership admin- bers”). istration is much easier now with automat- 7.4. Election of the Treasurer ic generation of welcome mails for new 5. Report of the Working Groups Candidate: U. Reusner (141 votes) members, membership confirmations and • Communication (chair: O. Kayser) cancellations. As a next step the imple- Prof. Kayser reported about the Wikipedia 7.5. Election of the Advisory Board mentation of a membership portal is entry about GA and briefly informed about • Candidates for Regular Positions planned. the outcome of the survey “Future of GA”. A C. Agyare, A. Braca, D. Csupor, E. Ferreira She informed that she will terminate her detailed presentation together with a discus- Queiroz, R. Fürst, N. Fokialakis, M. Hein- activity as Secretary of GA at the end of the sion among all interested members followed rich, A. Hensel, I. Khan, A. Kiss, G. Meng, year, and thanked all members for their on the day after the members meeting. J. Sarkodie, D. Tasdemir confidence. • Awards (chair: M. Hamburger) Outcome: R. Fürst (91 votes), D. Tasdemir Three awards were announced in 2017, (81 votes), M. Heinrich (81 votes), N. 3.4. Report of the Treasurer namely the Egon-Stahl-Award in Gold and Fokialakis (74 votes), A. Hensel (73 votes), Dr. U. Reusner Silver, the Dr. Willmar-Schwabe Research A. Kiss (67 votes) She reported about the current financial Scholarship, and the Bionorica Phytoneer- situation of GA: The total assets of GA cur- ing Award. • Candidates for Junior Positions rently amount to 160,325 EUR (therof cash: The ESA Gold was given to Rob Verpoorte, A. Cheilari, S. Granica, A. Hunyadi, K. 116,641 EUR). The Egon Stahl fund cur- the ESA Silver to A. Hunyadi, the Dr. Will- Skalicka-Wozniak, C. Vissiennon rently amounts to 54,483 EUR (thereof mar-Schwabe Research Scholarship for Outcome: C. Vissiennon (76 votes), A. cash: 5,352 EUR). She presented the Young Scientists to Dima Hammoud, and Hunyadi (66 votes) budget report of 2016 and the budget plan the Bionorica Phytoneering Award to Anna for 2017. Planta Medica online subscrip- Kiss. 8. Future Congresses, Symposia tions: 10 members have subscribed to PM • Young Researchers (chair: R. Fürst) and Workshops online back to 1998, 13 members back to Prof. R. Fürst presented the activities of the 8.1. Annual GA Congresses 1953. working groups, namely the travel grants • 2018: Shanghai, China (organiser: D. and the organisation of the Young Re- Guo) 3.5. Discharge of the Executive Council searchers Workshop which was again very Prof. A.R. Bilia briefly reported about the Prof. E. Stahl-Biskup presented the reports successful. current status of the congress preparations of the cash auditors (Dr. B. Frank and Prof. • European Affairs (chair: O. Kayser) on behalf of Prof. D. Guo. E. Stahl-Biskup). According to the reports The Working Group is currently preparing a • 2019: Innsbruck, Austria (organiser: H. the expenses and revenues were plausible COST application to establish a network Stuppner) and appropriate, and both auditors ex- on new innovative analytical techniques for Prof. Stuppner gave a brief overview about pressed their compliments for a good ac- characterization of herbal medicines. congress venue, programme and social counting and cost awareness. • Africa Research Network events. Prof. Stahl-Biskup therefore asked for the (chair: C. Agyare) discharge of the ExC which was accepted Dr. C. Agyare briefly informed about the 8.2. Co-organised meetings unanimously by the whole assembly. network. The basic idea is to promote and • Phytopharm 2018, 25–26 June 2018, improve collaboration among African GA Wädenswil, Switzerland 4. Report of the Editor-in-Chief of members and their counterparts from the • Feverfew and Parthenolide – Phyto- Planta Medica Prof. V. Butterweck economically developed countries, espe- chemical, Pharmacological and Clinical Prof. Butterweck presented key figures cially from Europe. Evidence, 16 Nov. 2017, Vienna, Austria and facts regarding Planta Medica and • Congresses and Workshops • Joint Phytotherapy Congress 2018, 31 Planta Medica International Open. The im- (chair: A.R. Bilia) May – 2 June 2018, Vienna, Austria pact factor for 2016 is 2.34. Thomson Reu- See topic 8. • 7th Mistletoe Symposium, 7–9 Nov. 2019, ters has accepted to rate PM as Q1-journal Nonnweiler, Germany in integrative and complementary medi- 6. Foundation “Plants for Health” Prof. M. Heinrich and Prof. A. Hensel pre- cine. The average turnaround time from 9. Miscellaneous sented the current activities of the founda- submission to first decision (by regular ed- No further contributions. tion. The annual meeting of the Foundation itors) is 28 days. It takes less than 15 days Board took place on 26 June 2017. This from article acceptance to e-first publica- year the second research award with up to tion. 2.000 EUR will be advertised during the The following special issues are planned annual congress in Basel. Last year’s awar- for 2017/18: nanotechnology (A.R. Bilia), dees will present their work during the con- Max Wichtl special issue (B. Kopp, J. Rol Dr. Birgit Benedek gress (M. Hanafi, London; S. Khalid, Khar- linger), Cannabis (J. Gertsch), quality con- Neunkirchen am Brand, 3 Nov. 2017 toun, South Africa). At the end both control (I. Khan, S. Glasl). cluded that further dissemination is need- ed. Distribution of the brochure by every

11 Meeting Reports

65th Annual Meeting of GA in Basel, Switzerland

The 65th Annual Meeting of the Society for Congress Center. The Main Congress be- ro Viljoen, Tshwane University of Technolo- Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Re- gan on Monday morning with the tradition- gy, Pretoria, South Africa, who replaced search (GA 2017) took place in Basel, Swit- al opening and award ceremony. The Jan Frank. Close to 100 short lectures zerland, from 3rd to 7th September, 2017. Vice-Rector of Research of the University were delivered in three parallel sessions Some 650 participants from 30 countries of Basel, Prof. Edwin Constable, and the that were held during the three days of the gathered for the conference which was Director of the School of Life Sciences, conference, and over 550 posters were held at the Congress Center Basel. FHNW, Prof. Falko Schlottig, gave wel- presented and discussed in two poster The conference program started on Sun- come addresses. After the handing over of sessions held on Monday and Tuesday af- day 3rd September with a Satellite Sympo- the GA Travel Grants, the bestowment of ternoon. In the Foyer of the Congress sium on Veterinary Medicine organized by the Dr. Willmar-Schwabe Research Schol- Center the exhibition area enabled interac- Michael Walkenhorst, the Regulatory Af- arship, the Bionorica Phytoneering Award, tion of participants with instrument manu- fairs Workshop chaired by Werner Knöss, the Planta Medica Best Paper Award, the facturers and providers of services and and the 11th Young Researchers Workshop dedication of the Planta Medica Special Is- products. The Members Meeting was held chaired by Anna Karioti and Robert Fürst, sue to Emeritus Prof. Max Wichtl, the on Tuesday evening, with over 120 GA and co-chaired by Alessandra Braca and bestowment of the GA Honorary Member- members attending. Jürg Gertsch. The Veterinary Medicine ship to Prof. Mohamed Khayyal, Cairo Uni- The conference ended with the congress Symposium addressed three main topics, versity, and of the Egon-Stahl Award in dinner held in the historical guild hall of the namely the science and practice of veteri- Silver took place. The award ceremony Safranzunft, and by excursions on Thurs- nary phytotherapy, ethnoveterinary medi- closed with the bestowment of the Egon- day to Lake of Lucerne and Pilatus moun- cine, and animal self medication. The Reg- Stahl Award in Gold to Prof. Robert tain, and to Gruyère and the Cailler choco- ulatory Affairs Workshop had a specific fo- Verpoorte, Leiden University, The Nether- late factory. cus on the situation in Switzerland, with lands, for his lifetime achievements in the For the conference there was a “premiere” contributions from Swissmedic, the phy- field of pharmacognosy and phytochemis- for GA with regard to information tools, as topharmaceutical industry, and from aca- try. we had implemented an interactive brows- demia. The Young Researchers Workshop Plenary lectures on topical issues in natural able agenda which had been made avail opened with an impulse lecture by Krystina product research were delivered by Heri able to congress participants already prior Skalicka-Wozniak, followed by a Meet-the- bert Warzecha, TU Dortmund, Germany, to the congress. Expert session and ten selected short lec- Elisabeth Joubert, ARC Stellenbosch, tures. South Africa, Jürgen Drewe, Zeller AG and On Sunday evening the traditional Get-to- University of Basel, Switzerland, Frank Pe- On behalf of the Organizing Committee of gether Party was held in the Foyer of the tersen, Novartis, Switzerland, and by Alva- GA2017, Prof. Matthias Hamburger

GA strongly supports the career of postdocs and PhD students: 19 Travel Grants for young GA members from all over the world to join the 2017 annual meetings of the Society in Basel, Switzerland

12 Dr. Willmar Schwabe Research Scholarship 2017 for Young Scientists to Dima Hammoud

The aim of the Dr. Willmar Schwabe Re- was awarded to Dima Hammoud, from the University of Leipzig, Germany. Analytical search Scholarship for Young Scientists is IRGIB-Africa University in Cotonou, Benin, support of the project will be given by Prof. to support aspiring researchers, especially for her project entitled “Antibacterial and Karin Fester, Departemnt of Pharmacy. from developing countries, to join a leading anti-inflammatory mechanisms exerted by The award was given by Dr. Günter Meng, research institution for at least 6 months. the fungus growing termite strain Mac- Head of Research at Dr. Willmar Schwabe Projects focusing on pharmacological and rotermes bellicosus used in traditional Company. The awardee will present the re- clinical research on phytopharmaceuticals medicine in Benin”. With the support from sults of her project at the 66th Annual Con- and their active substances are particularly the fellowship she will join the group of gress of GA. favoured. The 2017 Research Scholarship Prof. Jürgen Arnhold, Faculty of Medicine,

Bionorica Phytoneering Award 2017 to Prof. Anna Kiss, Dr. Sebastian Granica and Dr. Jakub Piwowarski

The Bionorica Phytoneering Award acknowledges outstanding research in the field of development and application of phytopharmaceutical products. The 2017 Phytoneering Award was given to Prof. Anna Kiss, Dr Sebastian Granica and Dr. Jakub Piwowarski, Department of Pharma- cognosy and Molecular Basis of Phyto- therapy, Medical University of Warsaw, Po- land for their project entitled “Re-emer- gence of medicinal plants rich in tannins”. The team had been investigation in the past years the phytochemistry of selected tannin-rich plants, performed pharmacological investigations with extracts and pu- rified compounds, with a focus on various targets involved in inflammation. Their work also included biopharmaceutical aspects, as they studied the activities not only of the tannins, but also of tannin metabolites that are being produced by gut microbiota. The award was given by Dr. Dirk Breden- bröker, Head of Research at Bionorica Company.

Young Researchers’ Workshop 2017 dedicated to Professor Sandra Apers

The Young Researchers’ Workshop (YRW) gether young scientists, in particular PhD fessor Krystyna 2017 in Basel, Switzerland, was dedicated students, for the presentation and discus- Skalicka-Wozniak to our dear colleague and friend Professor sion of their work in a free and relaxed at- from the Medical Sandra Apers (Department of Pharmaceu- mosphere, thus promoting presentation University of Lub- tical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Bel- skills, scientific exchange and networking. lin, Poland, talked gium), who passed away in February 2017. In Basel, this concept was successfully about “How the power of liquids can be We will sadly miss her wonderful personal- continued. This year’s workshop was or- used to discover novel natural products”. ity and friendship, her scientific excellence ganized and chaired by Professor Anasta- Her exciting lecture sharpened the view of and her dedication and enthusiasm for our sia Karioti from the University of Thessa- the audience on the importance and possi- society. This year’s workshop started with loniki, Greece, and by Professor Robert bilities of counter-current chromatography. a moment of silence in memory of Sandra. Fürst from the University of Frankfurt, Ger- Krystyna’s talk included many helpful sug- many. As usual, the YRW started with an gestions to the young researchers regard- The concept of YRWs was established 12 impulse lecture given by an established, ing motivation, scientific creativity and also (since 2005) year ago in order to bring to- but still young scientist. This year, Pro career development.

13 From the 22 submitted abstract, ten (from nine different countries!) were chosen for oral presentation during the workshop. About 60 participants gathered in one of the lecture halls of the Basel Congress Center to listen to the presentations. All talks were of great scientific quality and the discussions were very lively. The YRW ended with a wrap-up session and with a short discussion on future perspectives. All participants highly appreciated the current format of the YRW and recommended to in- tensify the included “meet the expert” lunch. Most importantly, also the awards were bestowed in this closing session. Due to the generous support of Professor Jürg Gertsch (University of Bern, Switzerland) and the company Bionorica SE (Neumarkt, Germany), we were able to award 2 prizes for the best presentations. The “Innovation Award” by Jürg Gertsch (1000 Euro) was bestowed to Iwona Stanislawska and the “Bionorica YRW Award” of 600 Euro was given to Rita de Cassia Lemos Lima. More- over, both awardees had the exciting opportunity to present their results also during the main conference program in front of a much bigger audience. The proud win- Prof. Dr. Krystyna Skalicka-Wozniak, Medical University of Lublin, Poland, during her ners were honored in the opening ceremo- impulse lecture ny of the congress.

Thanks to the high scientific standard of each presented work, the very enthusiastic speakers and the active audience, the YRW 2017 was of great success. The concept of a pre-symposium that is solely dedicated to our scientific youngsters has again proven to be of great importance for the congress and, thus, our society. The next YRW will for the first time take place in China, in Shanghai, on Sunday, August 26, 2018. We are very much looking forward to hearing about the latest research of highly talented young researchers!

Prof. Dr. Robert Fürst, University of Frankfurt, Germany

14 Workshop on Regulatory Affairs of Herbal Medicinal Products, GA-meeting, 2017 in Basel

The workshop “Regulatory Affairs” is an in- different perspectives were excellently pre- About 50 par- tegral part of the annual meetings of GA. It sented by competent experts. Starting ticipants were is providing a platform to focus on selected point was the view of the national regulato- interested into topics in the field of regulatory affairs relat- ry agency Swissmedic (Switzerland). Dr. the different ed to herbal medicines. Moreover, the Martin Ziak, head of unit for complementa- perspectives workshop offers options to establish net- ry medicines, explained the recent and in- presented and actively joined the discus- works and bring together regulators, in- tended changes in the legal framework for sion. Beside particular questions to the dustry representatives and scientists. At herbal medicines. The perspective of in- speakers there was a substantial interest in the GA-meeting in Basel 2017 the work- dustry was presented by Dr. Catherine regional differences and ideas how to de- shop was organized and chaired for the Zahner and Dr. Christiane Halbsguth (Zeller velop suitable platforms for further com- first time by Prof. Dr. Knöss (BfArM, Feder- Company, Switzerland). They highlighted munication and how to partially converge al Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices, some experiences with regulatory require- different regulatory frameworks. Bonn, Germany). ments on quality and safety, in particular During the next years the workshop “Reg- The objective of the workshop was to stim- addressing the challenges faced by a phar- ulatory Affairs” will continue to offer an in- ulate an extensive dialogue between sci- maceutical company, which is operating in terface between science and regulation by ence and regulation. Participants got espe- different countries. A major problem was raising questions such as “What can regu- cially insight into the regulatory framework that applications often have to be adapted lators learn from science? What can scien- for herbal medicines in Switzerland, where to national requirements in different coun- tists contribute to regulation? How can re- complementary therapies have a particular tries. Finally, Dr. Evelyn Wolfram (ZHAW, search support regulation?” Some particu- status and a high level of acceptance. The Wädenswil, Zürich University, Switzerland) lar regulatory topics will be even of interest Swiss population clearly voted in favor of gave her contribution based on her scien- for all participants of GA-meetings and herbal and complementary medicines. A tific research and also her involvement into may be integrated into the sessions during specific regulatory framework has been es- developments for the European Pharma- the meeting. tablished including provisions for reim- copeia. She demonstrated the benefit of Looking forward to seeing you at the bursement. interaction between science and regula- GA-meeting in Shanghai. The workshop was entitled “Regulation of tion, but she also reported, that in reality in- complementary and herbal medicines in vesting time to support regulatory activities Prof. Dr. W. Knöss, Switzerland – a particular environment and is often not counted in scientific evaluation Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical platform for an extended dialogue”. Three schemes. Devices, Bonn, Germany

GA-networking group on Medicinal Plants and Natural Products in Animal Healthcare and Veterinary Phytotherapy: Science and Practice

Animal healthcare and veterinary phyto- products in animals listened to 11 enthusi- in phytotherapy for zoo animals. During the therapy was again a main topic of the 65th astic talks and had broad discussions and tour (and also during the following dinner in GA Congress. For the first time we had a professional, scientific and personal ex- the Zoo Restaurant) inspiring discussions one-day Pre-Congress Symposium organ- change during the breaks. Beside the sym- rose in this interdisciplinary group. ised by the GA-networking group on Me- posium our issue “Animal Healtcare and Our issue will be again topic of the next dicinal Plants and Natural Products in Ani- Veterinary Medicine” was also with about GA-Congress in Shanghai, China, 26th–29th mal Healthcare and Veterinary Medicine in 20 posters part of the Monday poster ses- August 2018 … collaboration with the veterinary section of sion and topic of a short lecture session … and, thanks to Professor Hermann Stupp the Swiss Medicinal Society for Phytother- with 6 talks on Tuesday morning during the ner, the local organizer of the GA-Congress apy (SMGPvet). Beside the geographical main congress. Meanwhile all abstracts of 2019, we will have our next Pre-Con- proximity, we assumed, that the 10-year the congress have been published as a gress-Symposium on Medicinal Plants and anniversary of the SMGPvet is a good rea- special edition of “Planta Medica Letters”. Natural Products in Animal Healthcare and son for this joint meeting. The SMGP was An international industrial exhibition with 6 Veterinary Medicine on Sunday 01. Sep- founded 1988 and has recently more than companies presenting herbal feed addi- tember 2019 in Innsbruck, Austria. 750 members – mainly pharmacists, medi- tives, veterinary drugs and phytogenic cal doctors and veterinarians. health care products for animals as well as See you all (latest) there! In total about 90 interested participants specific diagnostic tools for veterinary phy- from 15 countries and from all continents totherapy was held for the first time during Dr. Michael Walkenhorst and the team of came together. Practitioners, scientists the Sunday symposium. the GA-Networking group on Medicinal and industry in the field of veterinary phy- About 40 people visited the Zoo Basel on Plants and Natural Products in Animal topharmacology, ethnoveterinary medi- Monday evening, our GA-animalhealth-net- Healthcare and Veterinary Medicine cine, plant derived feed additives and clin- working-meeting. We had a really great ical uses of natural products as well as guided tour with the veterinarian of the zoo, herbal drugs and phytogenic health care Stefan Hoby, which has a lot of experience

15 Feverfew and Parthenolide: Phytochemical, Pharmacological and Clinical Evidence November 16th 2017, University of Vienna, Austria

The committee of the Herbal Medicinal Products Platform Austria (HMPPA) has chosen Tanacetum parthenium (Feverfew) as the medicinal plant for the year 2017 in Austria and organized together with the Society for Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research (GA) the scientific workshop “Feverfew and Parthenolide – Phyto- chemical, Pharmacological and Clinical Evidence” on November 16th 2017, 10:00 – 16:00 h at the University of Vienna, Pharma Centre, Department of Pharmacognosy, Austria. Eight international experts working on Tan- acetum parthenium from Austria, Germany, Hungary, Italy and Poland discussed and presented their recent work and provided views of this exciting research area from different angles. Prof. Irmgard Merfort (De- partment of Pharmaceutical Biology and Biotechnology, University of Freiburg, Ger- many) opened the workshop with an overview on feverfew in the past, presence and future. Dr. Krisztina Végh (Semmelweis University, Department of Pharmacognosy, Budapest, Hungary) presented the parallel artificial membrane permeation assay (PAMPA) for the prediction of the blood– Psychology, Drug Research and Child rich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germa- brain barrier penetration of a T. parthenium Health – Neurofarba – Section of Pharma- ny) emphasised in his interesting talk the supercritical fluid extract. Prof. Christian cology and Toxicology, University of Flor- benefits of parthenolide, as a novel phyto- Wöber (Department of Neurology, Medical ence, Italy) described the perspectives for genic drug for nerve repair and Prof. Mal- University of Vienna, Austria), focused his treating persistent systemic pain with fever gorzata Czyz (Department of Molecular lecture on migraine and its treatment with few. Mag. Heinrich Evanzin (ZECO, Paris- Biology of Cancer, Medical University of feverfew. Lodron University Salzburg, Austria) Lodz, Poland) concluded the workshop Silvia Benemei MD (Department of Health described in his short lecture the folk with the anticancer activities of partheno- Sciences, University of Florence, Italy) out- medicinal use of T. parthenium for tinnitus lide focusing mainly on melanoma. lined the emerging role of TRPA1 in mi- treatment, based on the overwhelming graine treatment and Dr. Lorenzo Di Cesare concentration of melatonin. Prof. Dietmar Mannelli (Department of Neuroscience, Fischer (Department of Neurology, Hein- Prof. Dr. AR Bilia, Florence, Italy

16 Report meeting Phytopharm 2017, Graz, Austria

The 21th International Congress PHYTO latest results and trends, and to exchange (poster title: “In vitro anti-obesity and an- PHARM 2017 and the celebrations of the ideas relating to phytochemical analysis, ti-diabetic activities of active fractions from 10th Anniversary of the TCM Research ethnopharmacology, pharmacology of nat- Zanthoxylum acanthopodium fruits”). Center Graz were successfully held in ural products and biotechnology. Many companies and people have contrib- Graz, Austria, from 2 till 5 July, 2017. In total, 80 posters, 15 plenary, and 32 uted in the preparation and the organiza- Ever since the first Phytopharm conference short lectures were presented during the tion of this congress. On behalf of the Or- in 1990, it has been one of the important three days of the congress. Six parallel ganizing Committee we want to thank the events of the year, aiming to present inter- sessions allowed an appreciable number State of Styria, the City of Graz, Karl-Fran- esting, state-of-the-art research relevant to of participants to present results in oral zens-University of Graz, our general spon- professionals working in various fields of talks. 132 abstracts were published in the sor BIONORICA SE, and the other spon- medicinal plants and natural product re- special issue of the journal and “Reviews sors (Bayer-Steigerwald, Mospharma, Shi- search, and to foster networking and colon Clinical Pharmacology and Drug Thera- madzu, Waters, Thermo Fisher Scientific, laboration. This year, over 150 participants py”. Most active were scientists from Rus- Apomedica, Phytolab, Su Biomedicine), as from 36 countries, namely Argentina, Aus- sia, Austria, and Germany. The poster ses- well as the members of the scientific and tria, Brazil, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, sions at central time frames within the con- local organizing committees for their great Finland, Ghana, Germany, Hungary, Indo- gress also provided an opportunity for sci- engagement. nesia, Israel, Iran, Italy, Jamaica, Kosovo, entific discussions. After close evaluation Detailed information about congress as Mexico, Moldova, Norway, Philippines, Po- of the posters by the scientific board, the well as lectures are available on web-site: land, Republic of Macedonia, Romania, three best were granted with an award. The http://www.doclinika.ru/Phyto17/index. Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, South Afri- best posters were presented by Nóra Gam- html ca, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Tai- pe from Semmelweis University, Budapest, wan, Thailand, The Netherlands, Turkey, Hungary (poster title: “Structural analysis We are looking forward to seeing you at United Kingdom, and Vietnam have ac- of homopipecolic acid derivatives of spiny the 22th International Congress PHYTO cepted our invitation and have come to restharrow root), Fernando Pereira Beserra PHARM 2018 in Wädenswil, Switzerland, Graz. from São Paulo State University, Brazil on June 25–27, 2018! The scientific program of PHYTOPHARM (poster title: “Lupeol, a triterpene isolated Please visit us at: www.phytopharm2018.ch covered natural product research from of Bowdichia virgilioides Kunth. (stem bark) phytochemical studies to phytotherapeutic accelerates cutaneous wound healing in applications. The aim of the congress was diabetic rats”) and Yanti from Atma Jaya Prof. Rudolf Bauer to serve as a forum for discussions on the Catholic University, Jakarta, Indonesia and Prof. Alexander Shikov

MediHealth: Novel natural products for healthy ageing from Mediterranean diet and food plants of other global sources

Since 2016, a consortium of researchers ject. It is part of the “Marie Skłodows- through research and innovation staff ex- and experts from 5 universities and 4 en- ka-Curie Research and Innovation Staff changes. Support is provided to develop terprises from the EU and Switzerland, as Exchange (RISE)” program in the Horizon partnerships in the form of joint research well as 4 universities from non-EU coun- 2020 funding scheme. RISE promotes in- and innovation activities between the par- tries, are working on the MediHealth pro- ternational and inter-sector collaboration ticipants, based on two-way staff exchan ges (from industry to academia and vice-versa). In the EU, only secondments from industry to academia and from academia to industry are allowed; but both industry and academia can host researchers from non-EU countries or send researchers to non-EU universities. The MediHealth project is coordinated by Prof. Hermann Stuppner (project leader) and Ass.-Prof. Dr. Birgit Waltenberger (scientific project manager) from the Institute of Pharmacy/Pharmacognosy, University of Innsbruck, Austria. Further academic project partners are the Research Institute for Biomedical Aging Research, University of Innsbruck, Austria (Prof. Pidder Jansen- Duerr); the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences – NatuRA (Natural Products & Food Research and Analysis), University of Antwerp, Belgium (Prof. Luc Pieters); the group Phytochemistry & Bioactive Natural Products and Pharmacognosy, University of Geneva, Switzerland (Prof. Jean-Luc Wolfender); the Laboratory of Translational Nutrition Biology, ETH Zürich, Switzerland

17 (Prof. Christian Wolfrum); the Department and preliminary pharmacological experi- lites by microflora in the colon are critical of Pharmacognosy & Natural Products ments, out of the 30 plant species, the 10 aspects. The seeming “inactivity” of many Chemistry (Prof. Leandros Skaltsounis) most promising ones were selected and natural products isolated from plants is in and the Department of Cell Biology & subjected to a comprehensive research many cases due to the fact that those are Biophysics (Prof. Ioannis Trougakos), both platform including in silico, in vitro, in vivo, often pro-drugs, e.g. glycosides, which from the University of Athens, Greece. In- and metabolism assessment. In particular, must undergo in vivo metabolic conversion dustrial partners include several pharma- one of the key features of the project is the (activation). Biotransformation assays are ceutical and biotechnological companies comparison of in vivo evaluation in mice applied to mimic the metabolism of com- in Europe, i.e. Bionorica Research GmbH and fly models, andin vitro metabolism pounds in the human body, including sim- (Austria), Galenica SA (Greece), Rousselet studies followed by in vitro evaluation in ulation of gastric and intestinal physiologi- Robatel Kromaton (France), and Vivacell advanced cell-based assays. Mice will be cal conditions, microbial fermentation in Biotechnology GmbH (Germany). Universi- fed with extracts of the selected plant spe- the colon, and enzymatic conversions in ties from outside of Europe that participate cies, and multiple markers for the develop- the liver (S9 fraction). in the project include the University of ment of age associated metabolic disor- Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh ders such as diabetes type 2, dyslipidemia, Finally, based on the results of these three City (Prof. Hung Tran) (Vietnam); Tshwane and cardiovascular diseases will be ana- parallel research lines (mice, fly, and in vit- University of Technology (Prof. Alvaro Vil- lysed. In addition, it will be investigated if ro assays), three hit plants will be selected joen) (South Africa); Faculté de Sciences the plant extracts can protect the pro- for detailed phytochemical and pharmaco- de Sfax (Prof. Noureddine Allouche) (Tuni- teome of Drosophila flies from oxidative logical investigations. Advanced analytical sia); and the Universidad Catolica del Norte modifications by measuring the suppres- techniques will embrace the pharmacolog- (Prof. Victor Kesternich) (Chile). sion of proteome oxidative damage, and ical evaluation process for the efficient iso- the activation of proteome catalytic activi- lation and identification of bioactive plant The main goal of the MediHealth project is ty. Thirdly, the effect of preliminary in vitro constituents. Pharmacological profiling of to introduce a novel approach for the dis- metabolism will be examined. Indeed, in bioactive natural products as well as iden- covery of active agents of food plants from the search for new biologically active tification and synthesis of their metabolites the Mediterranean diet and other global substances, in vitro bioassays, e.g. in will be carried out. Finally, process optimi- sources to promote healthy ageing. To high-throughput testing environments, still zation studies will be performed to pro- achieve this goal, a series of 30 plant spe- play an important role. Nevertheless, many ceed to the development of innovative nu- cies has carefully been selected from the molecules active in vitro fail when tested in traceuticals/dietary supplements or herbal Mediterranean diet as well as food plants vivo due to bioavailability aspects and bio- medicinal products. from Africa, Asia, and South America. transformation processes. Intestinal ab- Further information on MediHealth can be Based on literature data, phytochemical sorption, distribution in body tissues, and found on the project website: profiling using advanced LC-MS methods, most importantly the formation of metabo- http://medihealth.eu/partners

Next Conferences

The 66th Annual Meeting of the Society for Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research (GA) jointly with 11th Shanghai International Conference on Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Medicines Shanghai, China, August 26-29th, 2018

The 66th Annual Meeting will be held in of stations, serving almost all the municipal Shanghai, China, from 26th to 29th August, districts. In particular Metro line #2 is just 2018. This year the meeting will be jointly only 100 meters far from the hotel (60 kilo- with 11th Shanghai International Confer- meters with 30 stations) includes mostly of ence on Traditional Chinese Medicine and Shanghai’s famous attractions and com- Natural Medicines! As chair of the organiz- mercial streets: Zhongshan Park, Jing’an ing committee it is a great pleasure to give Temple, West Nanjing Rd. – the main com- you some information on the congress and mercial road, People’s Square, East Nan- the program. The conference venue is at jing Rd., Lujiazui Finance and Trade Zone, the Parkyard Hotel located in the Pudong Century Park and Zhangjiang High Tech- New Area (http://www.parkyards.com) nology Park. which can be easily reached via public Shanghai is not only the largest city of Chi- transportation from Pudong Airport (interna (with population of approximately twen- national) and Hongqiao Airport (domestic). ty-five million), but also the business and fi- Currently, the Shanghai Metro system is nancial center, please do not miss also to the world’s largest rapid transit system by visit Oriental Pearl Tower, Bund of Shang- route length and second largest by number hai, Cruising on the Huangpu River, Yu

18 Yuan Garden. Furthermore, I suggest to and award ceremony. Main topics of the discussions. Information concerning the take the high-speed railway to visit nearby scientific program include natural products congress dinner and post-congress excur- cities, like Suchow (20 min) and Hangzhou chemistry and drug discovery, biological sions will be reported in the congress web- (45 min), the so-called “Paradise on Earth”. and pharmacological activities of natural site (www.ga2018.cn) will be online in De- Beijing can be reached within 4.5 hours products, herbal authentication and quality cember, and we will update you there with from Shanghai. The congress will start on standards, ethnopharmacology and tradi- more details. Sunday 26th August, 2018 and three tional medicinal practices, formulation and On behalf of the Organizing Committee pre-congress events will take place. The delivery systems of natural products, bio- that comprises members from the Shang- Young Researchers Workshop will offer a synthesis and biotechnology of natural hai Institute of Materia Medica (De-an Guo, platform for young scientists to present products, medicinal plants resources and Yang Ye, Wanying Wu, Shishan Yu) from their latest findings, and the Regulatory Af- sustainability, natural products in health the Second Military Medical University fairs Workshop will serve as a forum for in- care and veterinary medicine. Beyond (Weidong Zhang), Long March Hospital dustry to update on the latest trends in reg- these main topics, scientific contributions (Wansheng Chen) and China Pharmaceuti- ulation of herbal medicines and related ar- in any other area related to natural product cal University (Ping Li). I cordially invite you eas. Moreover, the Shanghai Center of Bio- research are welcome! to the 66th Annual Meeting. We all look for- medicine Development (SCBD), in cooper- Distinguished speakers from academia ward to welcoming you in Shangai! ation with the GA society, will organize a and industry will deliver plenary lectures on pre-congress Symposium on traditional some of the main topics of the congress. Prof. De-an Guo, Chinese medicine. The 500th anniversary of Also, we look forward to the plenary lec- Chair of the 66th Annual Congress of GA the birth of Li Shizhen, the great herbalist in tures that will be delivered by the awardees Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, CAS, Ming Dinasty to write his masterwork of of the Egon-Stahl Awards in Bronze, and Shanghai 201203, China; Phone: +86-21- Compendium of Materia Medica will also the Dr. Willmar Schawbe Award. 50271516 (direct); +86-21-50272789 be celebrated. In the late afternoon of Sun- Short lectures and Poster sessions will be (secretary); Fax: +86-21-50272789; e-mail: day the traditional Get-Together Party will held in three parallel sessions in order to [email protected] take place. The main congress will start on accommodate for the large number of con- Monday morning with the official opening tributions, and to leave enough time for

Awards and Honours

Prof. Dr. Gerhard Franz receives the FOURTH CHEUNG ON TAK International Award 2018 for outstanding Contribution to Chinese Medicine

This award is conferred biennially on scien- in March 2018 at Hong Kong Baptist Uni- years in the field of quality regulations for tists and scholars with groundbreaking and versity, School of Chinese Medicine. herbal drugs in the framework of the Ger- internationally recognized achievements in man Pharmacopoeia (DAB), the European advancing the internationalization of Chi- It is further interesting to mention that Pharmacopoeia (Ph Eur) and the Deutsche nese medicine as well as fostering interna- Professor Franz has received the Arzneimittelcodex (DAC). tional exchanges and collaborations in “LESMÜLLER-MEDAILLE” in Sept. 2017 Chinese medicine. donated by the German Bundesapotheker- This award will be donated in a presenta- kammer (German Pharmacists Society, tion ceremony-cum-award winners lecture Berlin) for his activities over more than 30

19 New Books

Medicinal Plants of the World

The second edition of this famous book, which should not be missing in the library cines covers the main aspects of the regu- of any pharmacognostic institution or me- latory side for phytomedicines. dicinal plant enthusiasts reflects significant Summarizing, this book can be recom- details of botany, origin, parts uses, thera- mended for getting a quick and effective peutic categories, properties, active ingre- entry in medicinal plants and their specific dients, preparations and dosages and use. pharmacological effects for nearly 900 medicinal plants. All monographs are up-to- Ben-Eric van Wyk (South Africa) and date, covering the essential information to Michael Wink (Germany), CABI Publisher, be used in rationalized phytotherapy. All Boston, MA, USA, ISBN 978-1-786393- monographs contain high-quality images 25-8, 519 pages, high quality color print. of the plants and plant parts in use, which makes this book to a photographic guide Prof. Dr. A. Hensel, Münster, Germany to the most commonly used and best known medicinal plants of the world. Addi- tionally a general introduction to medicinal plants indicates interesting aspects on the different cultures of our world in respect to the use of plants. The chapter on regulations of herbal remedies and phytomedi-

ingredients and utilise them for the benefit gy. Furthermore, the results of a compara- of patients and their cancer therapy. This is tive, randomised clinical trial on pancreatic the task of the organisers of the Mistletoe carcinoma have been presented. Since this Symposium, the international and interdis- study has been the topic of widespread ciplinary conferences on “Mistletoe in Tu- and controversial discussion in the litera- mour Therapy”, held every four years, and ture, the issues it raises were also been 2015 for the sixth time. discussed during the symposium and pub- With this symposium the organizers have lished in this book. The book’s main lan- succeeded once again in presenting more guage is German. All abstracts and some than 40 original scientific contributions. contributions are in English. The abstracts of all contributions are pub- The goal is to build bridges between the lished in supplementary volume I of Phyto- various therapeutic approaches, between medicine 22 (2015), the well-known “Inter- pharmacy and medicine, between basic national Journal of Phytotherapy and Phy- research and clinical practice and – in par- topharmacology” from Elsevier and are ticular – between conventional and com- freely available on the internet at http:// plementary oncology. www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/ May the current book, even more so than 09447113/22/supp/S1. those of recent symposia, contribute that Most of them have been collected and expert associations and representatives published as extended versions in this not only of complementary but also of con- book. The range of the presented topics ventional oncology concern themselves covers manufacture, quality control, and more scientifically with questions about the regulatory assessment of the mistletoe safe and effective application of mistletoe preparations as well as pharmacological in tumor therapy in the future. Die Mistel in der Tumortherapie 4 – effects of various active substances, pre- aktueller Stand der Forschung clinical in vitro and in vivo testings, immu- Scheer R., Alban S., Becker H., Beer und klinische Anwendung nological and cytotoxic investigations up A.-M., Blaschek W., Kreis. W., Matthes H., to clinical research of different modes of Schilcher H., Spahn G., Stange R. More than 50% of all cancer patients in application and tumor entities both in hu- (Eds.) 469 pages, KVC-Verlag Essen 2016, German-speaking countries use mistletoe man and veterinary medicine. This time the ISBN 978-3-945150-68-9 / 24,90 EUR extracts prescribed by their doctors as part symposium was focusing on the treatment of their treatment. It is therefore important of gastrointestinal tumors and examined Dr. R. Scheer, Germany to discover even more about the possibili- the subject from the viewpoints of both ties offered by this medicinal plant and its complementary and conventional oncolo-

20 Recent thesis (2017) on Medicinal Plant Research

(Notices of Ph.D. – and M.Sc./diploma thesis to the editor are welcome any time!)

Ph.D. thesis (2017) Antiadhesive activity of Ph.D. thesis (2017) Evaluation of pollen Diploma thesis (Jul. 2017) Lanostane triter- traditionally used plants against urinary secondary metabolites in exacerbation of penes from Tyrolean mushrooms: ASE tract infections: An alternative strategy to non-allergic athma, and development of based extraction protocol, metabolite pro- combat uropathogenic Escherichia coli. computer-assisted LC-MS batch process- filing and isolation. By: Julia Zwirchmayr; By: Shabnam Sarshar Beydokhti. Promo- ing, clustering, and visualization. By: Alen Supervisors: Prof. J. M. Rollinger, Dr. U. tor: Prof. Dr. A. Hensel, Institute of Pharma- Bozicevic. Promotor: Prof. Dr. M. Ham- Grienke, University of Vienna, Austria. ceutical Biology and Phytochemistry, Uni- burger, Division of Pharmaceutical Biology, versity of Münster, Germany. University of Basel, Switzerland. Diploma thesis (Jul. 2017) Phytochemical analysis and acetylcholinesterase activity Ph.D. thesis (2017) Phytochemical and M.Sc. thesis (Food Chemistry) (2017) Isola- of lycopodium alkaloids from the club pharmacological characterization of se- tion of polysaccharides from the lichen moss Huperzia selago. By: Sara Miletic; lected plant species of the genus Filipen- Xanthoria parietina and investigations of Supervisors: Prof. E. S. Olafsdottir, Prof. J. dula Mill. (Rosaceae). By: Jelena KATANI. immune-activating effects. By: Alena Pe- M. Rollinger Promotor: Prof. Dr. V. Mihailovi, Depart- ters. Promotor: Prof. Dr. A. Hensel, Institute ment of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, of Pharmaceutical Biology and Phyto- Diploma thesis (Nov. 2017) Analyse des In- University of Kragujevac, Serbia. chemistry, University of Münster, Germany haltsstoffprofils von Syzygium aromaticum, Kaempferia galanga und Pimenta dioica Ph.D. thesis (2017) Bio-assay guided isola- M.Sc. thesis (2017) Establishing of refer- mit Bioaktivitätstests zur Überprüfung der tion and structure elucidation of cytotoxic ence standards from plant materia. By: Jin- Wirksamkeit auf den TGR5 – Rezeptor. By: compounds from Pluchea odorata (L.) liang Wang. Promotor: Prof. Dr. A. Hensel, Christoph Hofstadler. Supervisors: Prof. J. Cass. and evaluation of their in vitro ef- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology and M. Rollinger, Dr. M. Zehl, University of Vien- fects. By: Michael Blaschke. Promotors: Phytochemistry, University of Münster, na, Austria. Prof. Mag.Dr. B. Kopp, Department of Germany Pharmacognosy, University of Vienna, and Diploma Thesis (2017) Quantification of fla- Prof.Dr. Georg Krupitza, Medical University M.Sc. thesis (Food Chemistry) (2017) Beer- vonoids in Leonurus japonicus by HPLC of Vienna, Austria). omics of the World – Classification of beers and HPTLC. By: Lisa DERLER; Supervisor: from all over the world by their analytical Priv.-Doz. Dr. Karin Ardjomand-Wölkart, PhD. thesis (2017) Bioactive natural prod- fingerprings. By: Peter Tebbe. Promotor: University of Graz, Institute of Pharmaceu- ucts: targeted identification of antivirals Prof. Dr. T. J. Schmidt, Institute of Pharma- tical Sciences, Austria. and hERG blockers. By: Christina E. Mair; ceutical Biology and Phytochemistry, Uni- Promotor: Prof. J. M. Rollinger, University versity of Münster, Germany Diploma Thesis (2017) “3 Phytotherapeutics of Vienna, Austria. against sleeping disorders” Lemon balm Diploma thesis (Jan. 2017) Triterpenes Passionflower Valerian. By: Claudia HAM- Ph.D. Thesis (2017) Identification and in- from Gloeophyllum odoratum as potential MERLINDL; Supervisor: Priv.-Doz. Dr. Karin vestigation of plasmodial surface protein– steroidsulfatase (STS) inhibitors. By: Na- Ardjomand-Wölkart, University of Graz, In- glycosaminoglycan interactions. By Jo- talie Prenner; Supervisors: Prof. J. M. Rol stitute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Austria. hannes ALMER; Promotors: Univ.-Prof. Dr. linger, Dr. U. Grienke, University of Vienna, Andreas Kungl and Ao. Univ.-Prof. Dr. Austria. Diploma Thesis (2017) Investigations on Franz Bucar, University of Graz, Institute of the assay of anthranoid derivatives in rhu- Pharmaceutical Sciences, Austria. Diploma thesis (Jan. 2017) Comparison of barb roots by HPLC. By: Marlene KRANE- preparative techniques for the separation WITTER; Supervisor: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Rudolf PhD thesis (2017) Bioactive compounds in of triterpenoid saponins. By: Agata Smo- Bauer, University of Graz, Institute of Phar- flowers and fruits of Sambucus nigra L.. lag; Supervisor: Prof. J. M. Rollinger, Uni- maceutical Sciences, Austria. By: Giang Thanh Thi Ho. Promoter: Ass. versity of Vienna, Austria. Prof. H. Barsett, Department of Pharma- Diploma Thesis (2017) Influence of post- ceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Diploma thesis (Feb. 2017) In silico assis harvest processing on the quantity of the University of Oslo. ted search for new GPBAR1 modulators. ingredients of Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix By: Benjamin Kirchweger; Supervisors: and Scrophulariae Radix. By: Alexandra Ph.D. thesis (2017) Valorization of Agro- Prof. J. M. Rollinger, Dr. U. Grienke, Dr. RAUS; Supervisor: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Rudolf Bio-waste in pharmaceutics: Examples of Jadel M. Kratz, University of Vienna, Aus- Bauer, University of Graz, Institute of Phar- Moso bamboo leaves and rose oil distilla- tria. maceutical Sciences, Austria. tion waste water. By: Jonas Wedler. Pro- motor: Prof. Dr. Veronika Butterweck, Insti- Diploma thesis (June 2017) Isolation and Diploma Thesis (2017) Optimization of the tute for Pharma Technology, School of Life Identification of Lignanamides in Hemp Ultrasonic Extraction Method for Rhein Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Seed. By: Gudrun Englmaier; Supervisors: from Cassia fistula L. By: Anna MOHR; Su- Northwestern Switzerland, Switzerland. Prof. J. M. Rollinger, University of Vienna, pervisor: Ao.Univ.-Prof. Dr. Adelheid Brant- Austria ner, University of Graz, Institute of Pharma- Ph.D. thesis (2017) Assessing the potential ceutical Sciences, Austria. of small molecules of natural origin in Diploma thesis (Jul. 2017) Lanostane triter- emerging biological targets. By: Maria Te- penes from Tyrolean mushrooms: ASE Diploma Thesis (2017) Phytochemical in- resa Faleschini. Promotor: Prof. Dr. M. based extraction protocol, metabolite pro- vestigations and α-glucosidase inhibitory Hamburger, Division of Pharmaceutical Bi- filing and isolation. By: Julia Zwirchmayr; activity of Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L.). By: ology, University of Basel, Switzerland. Supervisors: Prof. J. M. Rollinger, Dr. U. Stephanie TSCHARRE; Supervisor: Ao. Grienke, University of Vienna, Austria. Univ.-Prof. Dr. Adelheid Brantner, Universi- ty of Graz, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Austria.

21 Diploma Thesis (2017) Phytochemical and Master thesis (2016) Morphologische und Master thesis (2017) Isolation and charac- microbiological investigations of Iris adria anatomische Untersuchungen an Blatt und terization of polyphenols from Greek tica. By: Fabian ALPERTH; Supervisor: Ao. Spross von Justicia secunda VAHL (Acan- mountain tea, Sideritis scardica. By: Hasi- Univ.-Prof. Dr. Franz Bucar, University of thaceae) sowie multivariate Datenanalyse. na Azizullah. Promotor: Ass. Prof. H. Wan- Graz, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, By: Elisabeth Klutz. Promotor: Ao.-Prof. Dr. gensteen, Department of Pharmaceutical Austria. Sabine Glasl-Tazreiter, Department of Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University Pharmacognosy, University of Vienna, of Oslo. Diploma Thesis (2017) Investigation of Austria. Staphylococcus aureus concentrations in Master thesis (2017) Structural characteri- a defined aerosol by impingement and Master thesis (2017) Anatomische und zation of bioactive polysaccharide- and sedimentation. By: Manuela BOROTSCHNIG; morphologische Untersuchungen an der melanin fractions isolated from Inonotus Supervisor: Ao. Univ.-Prof. Dr. Franz Bucar, Blüte von Justicia secunda. By: Sofija obliquus. By: Cindy Suen. Promotor: Ass. University of Graz, Institute of Pharmaceu- Laufer. Promotor: Ao.-Prof. Dr. Sabine Prof. K. T. Inngjerdingen, Department of tical Sciences, Austria. Glasl-Tazreiter, Department of Pharmacog- Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Phar- nosy, University of Vienna, Austria. macy, University of Oslo. Diploma Thesis (2017) Herbal natural products as modulators of multi-drug resist- Master thesis (2017) Isolation and charac- ance in cancer cells. By: Kerstin HEIL; Su- terization of constituents in an aqueous pervisor: Ao. Univ.-Prof. Dr. Franz Bucar, NaHCO3 extract of Norway spruce balm. University of Graz, Institute of Pharmaceu- By: Julia Langeder. Promotor: Ao.-Prof. Dr. tical Sciences, Austria. Sabine Glasl-Tazreiter, Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Vienna, Diploma Thesis (2017) Antimicrobial and Austria. resistance-modulating ingredients of the rhizomes of Iris adriatica. By: Stefanie Master Thesis (2017) Preparation and opti- Editorial remark MAYER; Supervisor: Ao. Univ.-Prof. Dr. mization of liposomes loaded with berber- Franz Bucar, University of Graz, Institute of ine and tariquidar and evaluation of the ac- All contributions for the GA-Newslet- Pharmaceutical Sciences, Austria. tivity in resistant tumor cell lines due efflux ter are welcome. Deadline for submis- pumps by Antonella Gasparro. Promotor: sion for the next edition is fixed to May Diploma Thesis (2017) Investigation of im- Prof. Marcella Maria Coronnello, Depart- 25th 2018. Please send all contribu- pingement and sedimentation with a de- ment of Health Sciences, co-promotor: tions to: Prof. Dr. A. Hensel, Universi- fined fungal spore aerosol of Aspergillus ni- Prof. Anna Rita Bilia, Department of Chem- ty of Münster, Institute for Pharma- ger. By: Anja RASER; Supervisor: Ao. istry, University of Florence, Italy. ceutical Biology and Phytochemistry, Univ.-Prof. Dr. Franz Bucar, University of Corrensstrasse 48, D-48149 Münster, Graz, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Germany; [email protected] Austria.