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Laczkó-Zöld E, Csupor-Löffler B, Kolcsár EB, Ferenci T, Nan M, Tóth B, Csupor D. The metabolic effect of Momordica charantia cannot be determined based on the available clinical evidence: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Front Nutr 2024; 10:1200801. [PMID: 38274207 PMCID: PMC10808600 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1200801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Several studies have shown that Momordica charantia L. (Cucurbitaceae, bitter melon) has beneficial effects on metabolic syndrome (MetS) parameters and exerts antidiabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic, and anti-obesity activities. Since the findings of these studies are contradictory, the goal of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the efficacy of bitter melon in the treatment of metabolic syndrome, with special emphasis on the anti-diabetic effect. Embase, Cochrane, PubMed, and Web of Science databases were searched for randomized controlled human trials (RCTs). The meta-analysis was reported according to the PRISMA statement. The primary outcomes of the review are body weight, BMI, fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin A1c, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, serum triglyceride, HDL, LDL, and total cholesterol levels. Nine studies were included in the meta-analysis with 414 patients in total and 4-16 weeks of follow-up. In case of the meta-analysis of change scores, no significant effect could be observed for bitter melon treatment over placebo on fasting blood glucose level (MD = -0.03; 95% CI: -0.38 to 0.31; I2 = 34%), HbA1c level (MD = -0.12; 95% CI: -0.35 to 0.11; I2 = 56%), HDL (MD = -0.04; 95% CI: -0.17 to 0.09; I2 = 66%), LDL (MD = -0.10; 95% CI: -0.28 to 0.08; I2 = 37%), total cholesterol (MD = -0.04; 95% CI: -0.17 to 0.09; I2 = 66%,), body weight (MD = -1.00; 95% CI: -2.59-0.59; I2 = 97%), BMI (MD = -0.42; 95% CI: -0.99-0.14; I2 = 95%), systolic blood pressure (MD = 1.01; 95% CI: -1.07-3.09; I2 = 0%) and diastolic blood pressure levels (MD = 0.24; 95% CI: -1.04-1.53; I2 = 0%). Momordica treatment was not associated with a notable change in ALT, AST, and creatinine levels compared to the placebo, which supports the safety of this plant. However, the power was overall low and the meta-analyzed studies were also too short to reliably detect long-term metabolic effects. This highlights the need for additional research into this plant in carefully planned clinical trials of longer duration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eszter Laczkó-Zöld
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, "George Emil Palade" University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences, and Technology of Târgu Mureş, Târgu Mureş, Romania
| | - Boglárka Csupor-Löffler
- Institute for Translational Medicine, Szentágothai Research Centre, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Edina-Blanka Kolcsár
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, "George Emil Palade" University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences, and Technology of Târgu Mureş, Târgu Mureş, Romania
| | - Tamás Ferenci
- Physiological Controls Research Center, Óbuda University, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Statistics, Corvinus University of Budapest, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Monica Nan
- Pharmacy Department, Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Round Rock, Round Rock, TX, United States
| | - Barbara Tóth
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Dezső Csupor
- Institute for Translational Medicine, Szentágothai Research Centre, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- Institute of Pharmacognosy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
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Watts NR, Eren E, Palmer I, Huang PL, Huang PL, Shoemaker RH, Lee-Huang S, Wingfield PT. The ribosome-inactivating proteins MAP30 and Momordin inhibit SARS-CoV-2. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286370. [PMID: 37384752 PMCID: PMC10310010 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The continuing emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants has highlighted the need to identify additional points for viral inhibition. Ribosome inactivating proteins (RIPs), such as MAP30 and Momordin which are derived from bitter melon (Momordica charantia), have been found to inhibit a broad range of viruses. MAP30 has been shown to potently inhibit HIV-1 with minimal cytotoxicity. Here we show that MAP30 and Momordin potently inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication in A549 human lung cells (IC50 ~ 0.2 μM) with little concomitant cytotoxicity (CC50 ~ 2 μM). Both viral inhibition and cytotoxicity remain unaltered by appending a C-terminal Tat cell-penetration peptide to either protein. Mutation of tyrosine 70, a key residue in the active site of MAP30, to alanine completely abrogates both viral inhibition and cytotoxicity, indicating the involvement of its RNA N-glycosylase activity. Mutation of lysine 171 and lysine 215, residues corresponding to those in Ricin which when mutated prevented ribosome binding and inactivation, to alanine in MAP30 decreased cytotoxicity (CC50 ~ 10 μM) but also the viral inhibition (IC50 ~ 1 μM). Unlike with HIV-1, neither Dexamethasone nor Indomethacin exhibited synergy with MAP30 in the inhibition of SARS-CoV-2. From a structural comparison of the two proteins, one can explain their similar activities despite differences in both their active-sites and ribosome-binding regions. We also note points on the viral genome for potential inhibition by these proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norman R. Watts
- Protein Expression Laboratory, NIAMS, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Elif Eren
- Protein Expression Laboratory, NIAMS, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Ira Palmer
- Protein Expression Laboratory, NIAMS, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Paul L. Huang
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Philip Lin Huang
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Robert H. Shoemaker
- Chemopreventive Agent Development Research Group, Division of Cancer Prevention, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Sylvia Lee-Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University, Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Paul T. Wingfield
- Protein Expression Laboratory, NIAMS, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
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Kao Y, Chou CH, Huang LC, Tsai CK. Momordicine I suppresses glioma growth by promoting apoptosis and impairing mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. EXCLI JOURNAL 2023; 22:482-498. [PMID: 37534227 PMCID: PMC10391611 DOI: 10.17179/excli2023-6129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common type of primary brain tumor. Patients with GBM have poor survival outcomes. Isolated components of Momordica charantia have anticancer effects. However, the bioactivity of M. charantia extracts against GBM remains unknown. We tested four major extracts of M. charantia and found that momordicine I reduced glioma cell viability without serious cytotoxic effects on astrocytes. Momordicine I suppressed glioma cell colony formation, proliferation, migration, and invasion. Momordicine I also induced apoptosis, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and senescence in glioma cells. Moreover, momordicine I decreased the oxidative phosphorylation capacity of glioma cells and inhibited tumor sphere formation in temozolomide (TMZ)-resistant GBM cells. We further explored whether the antiglioma effect of momordicine I may be related to cell cycle modulation and DLGPA5 expression. Our results indicate that the cytotoxic effect of momordicine I on glioma cells suggests its potential therapeutic application to GBM treatment. See also Figure 1(Fig. 1).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Kao
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei City Hospital Zhongxing Branch, Taipei 10341, Taiwan
- Taipei City University, Taipei 100234, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Hsing Chou
- Department of Neurology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan
| | - Li-Chun Huang
- Department of Biochemistry, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Kuang Tsai
- Department of Neurology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan
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Immune System and Epidemics: The Role of African Indigenous Bioactive Substances. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15020273. [PMID: 36678143 PMCID: PMC9864875 DOI: 10.3390/nu15020273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
With over 6 million coronavirus pandemic deaths, the African continent reported the lowest death rate despite having a high disease burden. The African community's resilience to the pandemic has been attributed to climate and weather conditions, herd immunity, repeated exposure to infectious organisms that help stimulate the immune system, and a disproportionately large youth population. In addition, functional foods, herbal remedies, and dietary supplements contain micronutrients and bioactive compounds that can help boost the immune system. This review identified significant traditional fermented foods and herbal remedies available within the African continent with the potential to boost the immune system in epidemics and pandemics. Methodology: Databases, such as PubMed, the Web of Science, and Scopus, were searched using relevant search terms to identify traditional African fermented foods and medicinal plants with immune-boosting or antiviral capabilities. Cereal-based fermented foods, meat-, and fish-based fermented foods, and dairy-based fermented foods containing antioxidants, immunomodulatory effects, probiotics, vitamins, and peptides were identified and discussed. In addition, nine herbal remedies and spices belonging to eight plant families have antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, and antiviral properties. Peptides, flavonoids, alkaloids, sterols, ascorbic acid, minerals, vitamins, and saponins are some of the bioactive compounds in the remedies. Bioactive compounds in food and plants significantly support the immune system and help increase resistance against infectious diseases. The variety of food and medicinal plants found on the African continent could play an essential role in providing community resilience against infectious diseases during epidemics and pandemics. The African continent should investigate nutritional, herbal, and environmental factors that support healthy living and longevity.
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Erdogan K, Eroglu O. The Extract of Momordica charantia Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Migration in U87G Cells. BIOL BULL+ 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s1062359022130040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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Yang M, Luo Q, Chen X, Chen F. Bitter melon derived extracellular vesicles enhance the therapeutic effects and reduce the drug resistance of 5-fluorouracil on oral squamous cell carcinoma. J Nanobiotechnology 2021; 19:259. [PMID: 34454534 PMCID: PMC8400897 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-021-00995-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PDEVs) have been exploited for cancer treatment with several benefits. Bitter melon is cultivated as a vegetable and folk medicine with anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is widely used for cancer treatment. However, 5-FU-mediated NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammation activation induced the resistance of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells to 5-FU. In this study, we explored the potential of bitter melon-derived extracellular vesicles (BMEVs) for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy and reduce the resistance of OSCC to 5-FU. Results Herein, we demonstrate that bitter melon derived extracellular vesicles (BMEVs), in addition to their antitumor activity against OSCC have intrinsic anti-inflammatory functions. BMEVs induced S phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Apoptosis induction was dependent on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and JUN protein upregulation, since pretreatment with N-acetyl cysteine or catechin hydrate could prevent apoptosis and JUN accumulation, respectively. Surprisingly, BMEVs significantly downregulated NLRP3 expression, although ROS plays a central role in NLRP3 activation. We further assessed the underlying molecular mechanism and proposed that the RNAs of BMEVs, at least in part, mediate anti-inflammatory bioactivity. In our previous studies, NLRP3 activation contributed to the resistance of OSCC cells to 5-FU. Our data clearly indicate that BMEVs could exert a remarkable synergistic therapeutic effect of 5-FU against OSCC both in vitro and in vivo. Most notably, NLRP3 downregulation reduced the resistance of OSCC to 5-FU. Conclusions Together, our findings demonstrate a novel approach to enhance the therapeutic efficacy and reduce the drug resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents, which provides proof-of-concept evidence for the future development of PDEVs-enhanced therapy. Graphic Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12951-021-00995-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Yang
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingqiong Luo
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Xu Chen
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Fuxiang Chen
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China. .,Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China.
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Momordicine-I, a Bitter Melon Bioactive Metabolite, Displays Anti-Tumor Activity in Head and Neck Cancer Involving c-Met and Downstream Signaling. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13061432. [PMID: 33801016 PMCID: PMC8003975 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck cancer (HNC) is one of the most aggressive cancers, and treatments are quite challenging due to the difficulty in early diagnosis, lack of effective chemotherapeutic drugs, adverse side effects and therapy resistance. We identified momordicine-I (M-I), a bioactive secondary metabolite in bitter melon (Momordica charantia), by performing liquid chromatography-high resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-HRESIMS) analysis. M-I inhibited human HNC cell (JHU022, JHU029, Cal27) viability in a dose-dependent manner without an apparent toxic effect on normal oral keratinocytes. Mechanistic studies showed that M-I inhibited c-Met and its downstream signaling molecules c-Myc, survivin, and cyclin D1 through the inactivation of STAT3 in HNC cells. We further observed that M-I was non-toxic and stable in mouse (male C57Bl/6) blood, and a favorable pharmacokinetics profile was observed after IP administration. M-I treatment reduced HNC xenograft tumor growth in nude mice and inhibited c-Met and downstream signaling. Thus, M-I has potential therapeutic implications against HNC.
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Sur S, Ray RB. Diverse roles of bitter melon ( Momordica charantia) in prevention of oral cancer. JOURNAL OF CANCER METASTASIS AND TREATMENT 2021; 7:12. [PMID: 34765739 PMCID: PMC8580380 DOI: 10.20517/2394-4722.2020.126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the common lethal malignancies which is increasing rapidly in the world. Increasing risks from alcohol and tobacco habits, lack of early detection markers, lack of effective chemotherapeutic agents, recurrence and distant metastasis make the disease more complicated to manage. Laboratory-based studies and epidemiological studies indicate important roles of nutraceuticals to manage different cancers. The plant bitter melon (Momordica charantia) is a good source of nutrients and bio-active phytochemicals such as triterpenoids, triterpene glycosides, phenolic acids, flavonoids, lectins, sterols and proteins. The plant is widely grown in Asia, Africa, and South America. Bitter melon has traditionally been used as a folk medicine and Ayurvedic medicine in Asian culture to treat diseases such as diabetes, since ancient times. The crude extract and some of the isolated pure compounds of bitter melon show potential anticancer effects against different cancers. In this review, we shed light on its effect on OSCC. Bitter melon extract has been found to inhibit cell proliferation and metabolism, induce cell death and enhance the immune defense system in the prevention of OSCC in vitro and in vivo. Thus, bitter melon may be used as an attractive chemopreventive agent in progression towards OSCC clinical study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhayan Sur
- Department of Pathology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Ratna B. Ray
- Department of Pathology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
- Cancer Center, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
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Sur S, Ray RB. Bitter Melon ( Momordica Charantia), a Nutraceutical Approach for Cancer Prevention and Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2064. [PMID: 32726914 PMCID: PMC7464160 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Many dietary plant products show promising anticancer effects. Bitter melon or bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) is a nutrient-rich medicinal plant cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of many countries. Traditionally, bitter melon is used as a folk medicine and contains many bioactive components including triterpenoids, triterpene glycoside, phenolic acids, flavonoids, lectins, sterols and proteins that show potential anticancer activity without significant side effects. The preventive and therapeutic effects of crude extract or isolated components are studied in cell line-based models and animal models of multiple types of cancer. In the present review, we summarize recent progress in testing the cancer preventive and therapeutic activity of bitter melon with a focus on underlying molecular mechanisms. The crude extract and its components prevent many types of cancers by enhancing reactive oxygen species generation; inhibiting cancer cell cycle, cell signaling, cancer stem cells, glucose and lipid metabolism, invasion, metastasis, hypoxia, and angiogenesis; inducing apoptosis and autophagy cell death, and enhancing the immune defense. Thus, bitter melon may serve as a promising cancer preventive and therapeutic agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhayan Sur
- Department of Pathology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA;
| | - Ratna B. Ray
- Department of Pathology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA;
- Cancer Center, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
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Huang HT, Zhang LJ, Huang HC, Hwang SY, Wu CL, Lin YC, Liaw CC, Cheng YY, Morris-Natschke SL, Huang CY, Lee KH, Kuo YH. Cucurbitane-Type Triterpenoids from the Vines of Momordica charantia and Their Anti-inflammatory Activities. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2020; 83:1400-1408. [PMID: 32357011 PMCID: PMC8173961 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.9b00592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Seven new cucurbitane-type triterpenoids, kuguaovins A-G (1-7), and five known ones were isolated from the rattans of wild Momordica charantia. Their structures were established by spectroscopic data analyses, including 1D and 2D NMR, IR, and MS techniques. The absolute configurations of the cucurbitanes were determined from NOESY data and partially by X-ray crystallographic analysis. In pharmacological studies, compounds 1-7 and 9-12 exhibited weak anti-inflammatory effects (IC50 = 15-35 μM), based on an anti-NO production assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung-Tse Huang
- Division of Chinese Materia Medica Development, National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Li-Jie Zhang
- Division of Chinese Materia Medica Development, National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Taipei 112, Taiwan
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, Development Center Biotechnology, New Taipei City 221, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Chi Huang
- Department of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chinese Medicine Resources, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan
| | - Syh-Yuan Hwang
- Endemic Species Research Institute, Council of Agriculture, Nantou 552, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Lun Wu
- Department of Food Science, National Ilan University, Ilan 260, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chi Lin
- Division of Chinese Materia Medica Development, National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Ching Liaw
- Division of Chinese Materia Medica Development, National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Taipei 112, Taiwan
- Department of Research and Development, Starsci Biotech Co. Ltd., Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Yi Cheng
- Natural Products Research Laboratories, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7568, United States
- Chinese Medicine Research and Development Center, China Medical University and Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan
| | - Susan L Morris-Natschke
- Natural Products Research Laboratories, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7568, United States
- Chinese Medicine Research and Development Center, China Medical University and Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Yi Huang
- Department of Food Science, National Ilan University, Ilan 260, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Hsiung Lee
- Natural Products Research Laboratories, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7568, United States
- Chinese Medicine Research and Development Center, China Medical University and Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan
| | - Yao-Haur Kuo
- Division of Chinese Materia Medica Development, National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Taipei 112, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan
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