Evaluating Ghost Pipe (Monotropa uniflora) as a Potential Source of Novel Analgesic Compounds

This project involves novel research training in pharmacognosy and analgesic screening methods to identify pain-modulating compounds from ghost pipe. Ghost pipe extracts and fractions will undergo chemical profiling to establish a metabolomic baseline and understand chemical diversity. They will be evaluated for binding affinity to human neuro-receptors using a radioligand binding assay, followed by the construction of a biochemometric model to identify key compounds. Extracts and fractions will also be examined in in vitro systems for anti-inflammatory activity and in murine in vivo models for analgesic effects. Bioassay data will be combined with metabolomic profiling to pinpoint active compounds, which will then be isolated and characterized using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). This research aims to advance the understanding of herbal analgesics and develop an independent researcher.