Research | Institute for Botanical Research

Located in Tempe, Arizona, Sonoran University of Health Sciences is honored to be home to the Ric Scalzo Institute for Botanical Research. In collaboration with the natural products industry and other academic institutions, this state-of-the-art molecular biology/phytochemistry laboratory is dedicated to developing new products and improving existing botanical therapeutics through scientific exploration grounded in clinical herbalism’s rich tradition.

Mission: “Explore traditional medicine at the cellular, molecular and cultural level to create novel botanical solutions that support people, plants and planet.”

Exploring the Role of Plants as Medicines

Researchers at the Ric Scalzo Institute seek to improve therapies for global health concerns including viral diseases, antibiotic resistant bacteria, fungal infections, immune disorders and cancer. In collaboration with the advanced facilities of affiliated institutions, faculty and students at Sonoran University have the resources to conduct cellular and molecular biology laboratory-based research activities and botanical constituent isolation and identification that can be further translated into clinical trials at Sonoran University and with partner institutions.

Unique Botanical Research Model

Scope of Research

Integrate Western scientific methods with Naturopathic Medicine, Ayurveda and TCM disciplines of traditional medicine. Staff Researchers from various disciplines perform exhaustive literature review.
Pilot clinical studies investigating efficacy and metabolomics of selected plants/products
Development of evidence-based botanical formulations for Natural Products Industry
Intellectual Property developed for licensure to Pharma and Nutraceutical companies for Botanical Drug Development and other intellectual property

Research Model & Team

Leverage the wisdom and clinical experiences of Sonoran Faculty
Supply Chain Sustainability Consultation and Development
Scientific literature reviews of each plant being studied (historical uses, formulations, extractions, clinical in-vitro, in-silico, and in-vitro research reviews)
Development of a comprehensive understanding of potential synergistic/entourage formulations.
Innovation applying all disciplines of medicine to develop complimentary and highly efficacious botanical therapies integrating all philosophies and validating with bioassay guided characterization, isolation, and purification of natural products.

Academic Institution Collaborations

Arizona State University, The University of Mississippi, and The Susan Samueli Integrative Health Foundation, and future partners to optimize research activities, increase acceptance and awareness, and improve botanical research and education.

For collaborations and business opportunities, contact research@sonoran.edu

Contact Research

The Process

What factors need to be understood to assess a botanical’s medicinal potential?

Botanical formulations present challenges for rigorous scientific testing to understand their actual therapeutic efficacy.

To assess a botanical’s medicinal potential, two factors need to be understood:

The chemical composition, stability, and consistency across manufacturing batches
The botanical’s mechanism of action within a cell and the body.

What will be considered when evaluating the potential of a botanical research project?

The current state of knowledge of the botanical is evaluated related to traditional/historical therapeutic activity
Relevant scientific literature published
Accessibility of in vitro bioassay systems available

What will occur after the evaluation?

Once assessed, valid plant material is obtained and tested for basic biological activity. This in vitro system will be optimized and modified to develop a consistent and reliable method to evaluate and/or validate the biological activity of a specific botanical. From this, optimal extraction, concentration and delivery methods can be developed, pilot clinical trials performed, and further deciphering of the specific mechanism of action of the botanical completed.

In addition, through bioassay-guided fractionation and purification, the constituent profile of a botanical can be used to standardize botanical therapies and the active therapeutic compound(s) isolated and identified.

What will this analysis be used for?

By combining this in-depth analysis of botanicals, novel synergistic botanical blends can be designed and traditional formulas can be optimized to target different aspects of a disease. Thus, the therapeutic claims can be validated, as well as herbal product standardization and quality control can be performed to develop evidence-based, standardized natural products.

About Ric Scalzo

As one of North America’s most respected herbalists and botanical researchers, Richard “Ric” Scalzo has more than 35 years of clinical and practical experience with herbal medicines. As an innovator and pioneer in the herbal products industry, he is a leading authority on the cultivation of herbs, extraction processes, whole plant standardization, and traditional herbal therapies. In addition, Ric is a lifelong student of Vedic philosophy and spiritual practices.

After studying herbal medicine at the School of Natural Healing under Dr. John Christopher, Ric practiced as a clinical herbalist in a New England medical center.

In 1987, he founded Gaia Herbs, a nationally-branded grower and manufacturer of herbal wellness solutions that reinforce the inherent connections between healthy bodies, communities, and ecosystems. He and his team of herbalists and researchers grew the company into a vertically integrated, organic seed to finished botanical dietary supplement manufacturer and farming operation. Under his leadership and vision, the company set industry standards for its organic commitment, sustainable methods, educational curriculum, and quality assurance program.

In 2019, Ric made a philanthropic donation to Sonoran University for the development of the Ric Scalzo Institute for Botanical Research, a state-of-the-art molecular biology/phytochemistry laboratory.

Ric is now focusing his efforts on Biodynamic and Organic Herb Cultivation in Valle Encantado Costa Rica on his farm called CR Medicinal Farms. He is also offering his years of knowledge and guidance on the direction of research at the Institute in his name in hopes of understanding how traditional plant medicines operate on a cellular level in order to create novel botanical solutions that support people, planet, and plants.

Ric Scalzo holds an honorary Doctorate in Naturopathy from Sonoran University of Health Sciences (formerly Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine) in Tempe, Arizona, and received a Master Herbalist degree in 1982 from the School of Natural Healing.

Ric Scalzo

Institute for Botanical Research

Mission: “Explore traditional medicine at the cellular, molecular and cultural level to create novel botanical solutions that support people, plants and planet.”