The FIVA project: revealing the health potential of botanical heritage

The "Development of new tools for adding value to natural health products" project, supported by the AUF - Western Europe IntenSciF program, came to an end this summer after 19 months of collaboration between researchers from Algeria, Congo-Brazzaville and France, coordinated by the Université Clermont Auvergne.

A clear objective: to promote African medicinal plants

Anchored in a Francophone scientific cooperation approach, the FIVA project explored the little-known potential of African medicinal plants. The aim was to gain a better understanding of their role in traditional health practices and demonstrate their capacity for therapeutic innovation.

The work was guided by three main themes

• developing new scientific tools for analyzing natural bioactives;

• train and support the next generation of scientists;

• build an international consortium capable of taking on large-scale projects.

Remarkable scientific advances

The teams carried out in-depth analyses on several plant species of interest.

• In Algeria, two plants from the traditional pharmacopoeia (Ammodaucus leucotrichus and Atriplex halimus) were studied to better understand their effects at cellular level, notably on inflammation and certain cancer markers.

• In Congo-Brazzaville, a phytochemical study isolated and evaluated molecules from Petersianthus macrocarpus, Zanthoxylum heitzii, Thomandersia hensii and Uapaca guineensis.

Researchers implemented innovative screening methods, identified new bioactive molecules and trained young scientists in cutting-edge techniques. Harvesting was carried out in close collaboration with traditional herbalists, ensuring that traditional knowledge was respected.

Lasting benefits

In addition to its scientific results, the FIVA project has :

• laid the foundations for a structured industry around African medicinal plants, a strategic issue for the partner countries;

• consolidate academic cooperation and open up new prospects with Lebanon, Tunisia and Australia;

• raise the teams' international profile, with a European project already submitted and several scientific publications.

A catalyst for the future

The FIVA project represents a decisive step towards enhancing the value of botanical heritage in healthcare. It opens the way to new applications: improved traditional medicines, better health for populations, local capacity building and the consolidation of a solid French-speaking scientific network.

The AUF salutes the commitment and professionalism of the partner teams, who have made this project an example of innovative and forward-looking scientific cooperation.

Source: www.auf.org/