The phytochemical analysis was carried out in the laboratory of Edward J. Kennelly, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Biological Sciences, Lehman College, City University of New York. Professor Kennelly noted, "It is fascinating to consider that a plant specimen almost a century old has a chemical composition almost identical to a modern sample. We are interested in looking at the chemistry of other samples in the Rusby Collection in the future."

Another medicinal plant expert supports the results of this study. "Medicinal plant teaching collections from the last century, usually stored in sealed glass jars, represent not only a valuable visible reference, but also a treasure trove of unique compounds sequestered in certain plant parts," said Prof Ara Der Marderosian, Professor of Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Chemistry at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. He noted that this is also true for many spices and numerous other medicinal plants.

Mark Blumenthal, founder and executive director of the nonprofit American Botanical Council, said, "This research supports what many scientists have known for a long time — that some herbs have biologically active compounds that are stable for many years. We have known this for the ginsenosides in Asian ginseng root and other compounds in other plants. Now we have confirmation that some of the key compounds in black cohosh do not break down over time. The results of this study are relevant to the final rules for good manufacturing practices (GMPs) that are expected soon from the Food and Drug Administration. These new regulations deal with expiration dates for herbal dietary supplement labels and how manufacturers determine the shelf life of these products."

Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa, syn. Cimicifuga racemosa) is a traditional native American medicinal plant in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) that has become increasingly popular as the most widely-used natural alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The herb’s popularity with middle-aged women and gynecologists grew significantly after the summer of 2003 when a large-scale clinical trial on HRT was halted prematurely after evidence that HRT was responsible for an increase in cancer and cardiovascular disease in menopausal women. At least 13 clinical trials on black cohosh preparations support their safety and efficacy in treating menopause-related symptoms, including hot flashes, perspiration and mood swings, according to Gail Mahady, Research Assistant Professor of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy at the University of Illinois at Chicago, who is researching black cohosh with funding from the National Institutes of Health. Black cohosh ranked eighth of all herbal supplements sold in mainstream retail outlets in 2004, according to data from Information Resources in Chicago. Total retail sales of black cohosh in all channels of trade are difficult to estimate, but may be as high as $76 million in 2003, a jump of about 28% in sales from the previous year, according to Nutrition Business Journal.

About the American Botanical Council Established in 1988, the American Botanical Council (ABC) is the leading nonprofit, member-based international organization working to educate consumers, healthcare professionals, researchers, educators, industry, and the media on the safe and effective use of herbs and medicinal plant products. ABC is located on a 2.5 acre site in Austin, Texas where it publishes HerbalGram, a peer-reviewed quarterly journal. ABC is also the publisher of The ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs, a continuing education module and reference book, which contains extensive monographs on the safety and efficacy of 29 popular herbs. More information is available at www.herbalgram.org.