BotanyDestini Thornton

“Mechanistic Study Investigating the Methotrexate-induced Cardiovascular Injury from Combined Chemotherapy and Açaí Botanical Dietary Supplement Use

This project will evaluate the safety of açaí botanical dietary supplements when used alongside chemotherapy drugs, addressing growing concerns about unregulated supplement use among cancer patients. We will use human endothelial cell models to measure toxicity, oxidative stress, and biomarkers of vascular injury following co-exposure to açaí extracts and chemotherapy agents, aiming to clarify mechanisms underlying observed cardiovascular risks. In parallel, mass spectrometry-based chemometric analyses will identify the specific compounds responsible for these interactions, with the goal of improving clinical guidance and reducing preventable adverse events in patients undergoing chemotherapy.

School: Auburn University