# Influence of Dietary Botanical Supplements on Biological and Behavioral Resilience

> **NIH NIH U19** · ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI · 2022 · $422,500

## Abstract

Summary Abstract
The studies proposed in this U19 application titled “The Influence of Dietary Botanical Supplements on
Biological and Behavioral Resilience” represent a cohesive program of integrated and interdisciplinary
research approaches that comprehensively address the objectives and purpose of RFA-OD-19-001. In
particular, the principal objective of this botanical dietary supplement research center (BDSRC) is to provide
valuable insight, through both pre-clinical and clinical lines of investigation that may inform a future clinical trial
designed to determine if dietary polyphenol supplements can provide resilience against stress-induced
psychological impairment. We have shown through rigorous feasibility studies utilizing stress-induced models
of depression that supplementation with BDPP promotes resilience to depression-like behaviors. We have
identified biomolecular systems associated with immune function and neuronal activity that specific
bioavailable metabolites of BDPP influence to promote resilience to stress. We note that bioavailable
metabolites suppressed production of peripheral leukocytes derived inflammatory cytokines, in particular IL-6,
which is important to consider given studies that find production of IL-6 is a critical response that confers
susceptibility to stress. Whether or not metabolites of BDPP suppress the downstream pathophysiological
effects of stress-induced IL-6 that directly affect neuron function and behavior has yet to be established.
Therefore, Project 1 of this BDSRC will characterize if our botanical supplement provides resilience against
physiological pathways elicited by stress that are associated with increased IL-6 activity and that confer
susceptibility to the onset of depressive-like behavior. Project 1 will also identify biological targets in microglia,
interneurons, and blood brain barrier cells influenced by BDPP metabolites by state-of-the-art cell-specific
RNA-sequencing and imaging techniques. Project 2 will directly synergize with Project 1 by first providing an
assessment of the clinical properties of BDPP, and whether they parallel those observed in rodents. We will
conduct a pharmacokinetic and steady-state profile to define bioavailable metabolites found in human plasma,
and to confirm the presence of metabolites that exert biological effects against IL-6 production. Project 2 will
also utilize a multivariate adaptive regression splines model to identify specific metabolites or combinations of
BDPP metabolites responsible for modulating IL-6 expression. In addition, Project 2 will validate plasma IL-6
as a marker of biological resilience in response to BDPP treatment by testing if BDPP promotes resilience
against upregulation of plasma IL-6 in response to the Trier Social Stress Test in humans. The proposed
Projects are designed and optimized to synergize with each other, and to integrate seamlessly with the two
Scientific Cores. Together, this proposal offers to provide critical inform...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10619086
- **Project number:** 3U19AT010835-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI
- **Principal Investigator:** James Warren Murrough
- **Activity code:** U19 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $422,500
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2020-07-01 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10619086

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10619086, Influence of Dietary Botanical Supplements on Biological and Behavioral Resilience (3U19AT010835-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10619086. Licensed CC0.

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