Antiproliferative and Antitumorigenic Activity of Toona sinensis Leaf Extracts in Lung Adenocarcinoma

Chih-Jen Yang,Yu-Jung Huang,Cheng-Yuan Wang,Chuan-Sheng Wang,Pei-Hui Wang,Jen-Yu Hung,Tung-Heng Wang,Hseng-Kuang Hsu,Hurng-Wern Huang,S.P. Anand Kumar,Ming-Shyan Huang,Ching-Feng Weng 한국식품영양과학회 2010 Journal of medicinal food Vol.13 No.1

Toona sinensis is a traditional Chinese herb, and the extracts of T. sinensis leaf possess a variety of biological functions. This study attempted to test the antiproliferative effect of TSL-1 (a bioactive fraction of T. sinensis) in H441 cells (lung adenocarcinoma). The data showed that the antiproliferative effect of TSL-1 on H441 cells is prominent using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. TSL-1-induced apoptosis was confirmed by cell morphology, sub-G1 peak accumulation, cleavage of poly(ADP)-ribose polymerase, and propidium iodide-annexin V double staining. Furthermore, decreased Bcl-2 accompanied by increased Bax (in western blotting) was found with TSL-1 treatment of H441 cells. TSL-1 treatment-induced G1 arrest was concurrent with the down-regulation of protein levels of cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 in H441 cells. Peroral and intraperitoneal administrations of TSL-1 were performed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy, and peroral administration of TSL-1 was also used to elucidate the therapeutic efficacy in the H441 cell xenograft model in vivo. The data revealed that TSL-1 treatment inhibited H441 tumor growth in both therapeutic and preventive experiments. Taken together, these results demonstrate that TSL-1 possesses the capability of preventing and alleviating lung cancer proliferation in vitro and in vivo with proven nephrological and hepatic safety and has the potential to be developed as an anti–lung cancer drug.

Isolation of triterpenic acid-rich extracts from Hedyotis corymbosa using ultrasound-assisted supercritical carbon dioxide extraction and determination of their fictitious solubilities

Ming-Chi Wei,Show-Jen Hong,Yu-Chiao Yang 한국공업화학회 2017 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.48 No.-

The present study investigated a green ultrasound-assisted supercritical carbon dioxide (USC–CO2)process for extracting oleanolic acid (OA) and ursolic acid (UA) from Hedyotis corymbosa. Chrastil, Bartleand Kumar and Johnston models were used to correlate the experimentalfictitious solubility data. Theoverall average absolute relative deviation (AARD (%)) in solid solubility ranged from 3.632% to 6.529%,which indicates good agreement between the experimentalfictitious solubility data and the modeledresults. Using the correlation results, the total heat of solution and the enthalpies of vaporization andsolvation for OA and UA in the USC–CO2 extraction process were also estimated.

The Root Extract of Gentiana macrophylla Pall. Alleviates B19-NS1-Exacerbated Liver Injuries in NZB/W F1 Mice

Ming-Jen Sheu,Chun-Ching Chiu,Deng-Jye Yang,Tsai-Ching Hsu,Bor-Show Tzang 한국식품영양과학회 2017 Journal of medicinal food Vol.20 No.1

The nonstructural protein NS1 of human parvovirus B19 (B19) is known to exacerbate disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, no specific medicine for B19 infection is available. The roots of Gentiana macrophylla Pall. (GM), the traditional Chinese medicine “Qinjiao,” have been used for centuries to treat rheumatic disease, including SLE. Herein, we aimed to investigate the effects of GM root extract (100 and 300 mg/kg body weight) on B19-NS1-exacerbated liver injury in NZB/W F1 mice; liver tissues were assessed by hematoxylin–eosin staining and immunoblotting. The GM root extract significantly decreased B19-NS1-exacerbated liver inflammation by suppressing the expressions of hepatic inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase type 2 (COX-2), interleukin (IL)-1β proteins, values of serum asparate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT), and lymphocyte infiltration (P < .05). It also significantly reduced the B19-NS1-exacerbated hepatic matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) expressions by downregulating tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α/NF-κB (p65) signaling. These findings suggest a therapeutic potential of GM root extract against B19-NS1-exacerbated liver inflammation in SLE.

Production performances and antioxidant activities of laying hens fed Aspergillus oryzae and phytase co-fermented wheat bran

Huang Chung Ming,Chuang Wen Yang,Lin Wei Chih,Lin Li Jen,Chang Sheng Chang,Lee Tzu Tai 아세아·태평양축산학회 2021 Animal Bioscience Vol.34 No.3

Objective: Wheat bran (WB) was co-fermented with Aspergillus oryzae and phytase (Phy) to determine whether co-fermentation improve WB phosphorus and fiber utilization in Isa-brown layers. Methods: A total of 112 Isa brown layer were randomly divided into 7 treatments with 8 replicates per a treatment and 2 hens per a replicate. The treatments included basal diet (control), basal diet supplemented with 250 unit/kg Phy (control+Phy), diet with 10% WB (10% WB), diet with 5% WB and 250 unit/kg Phy (5% WB+Phy) diet with 10% WB and 250 unit/kg Phy (10% WB+Phy), diet with 5% fermented WB supplemented with molasses and phy (PCFWH) and 125 unit/kg Phy (5% PCFWH), and diet with 10% PCFWH (10% PCFWH). The intestinal microbial population, intestinal morphology, serum antioxidant enzyme activities, and excreta phosphorus content were assessed. Results: In PCFWH, spore counts, protease activity, xylanase activity, and ferulic acid were 8.50 log/g dry matter (DM), 190 unit/g DM, 120 unit/g DM, and 127 μg/g, respectively. Xylobiose and xylotriose were released in PCFWH, while they were not detectable in WB. Antioxidant capacity was also enhanced in PCFWH compared to WB. The 10% WB+Phy and 10% PCFWH groups produced higher egg mass, but hens fed 5% WB+Phy had the lowest amount of feed intake. Eggs from 10% PCFWH had better eggshell weight, eggshell strength, and eggshell thickness. Birds fed with 10% PCFWH also had higher serum superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. Compare to control, 10% PCFWH significantly reduced excreta phosphorus content. Conclusion: Diet inclusion of 10% PCFWH improved egg quality, antioxidant status, and excreta phosphorus content of laying hens. Objective: Wheat bran (WB) was co-fermented with Aspergillus oryzae and phytase (Phy) to determine whether co-fermentation improve WB phosphorus and fiber utilization in Isa-brown layers.Methods: A total of 112 Isa brown layer were randomly divided into 7 treatments with 8 replicates per a treatment and 2 hens per a replicate. The treatments included basal diet (control), basal diet supplemented with 250 unit/kg Phy (control+Phy), diet with 10% WB (10% WB), diet with 5% WB and 250 unit/kg Phy (5% WB+Phy) diet with 10% WB and 250 unit/kg Phy (10% WB+Phy), diet with 5% fermented WB supplemented with molasses and phy (PCFWH) and 125 unit/kg Phy (5% PCFWH), and diet with 10% PCFWH (10% PCFWH). The intestinal microbial population, intestinal morphology, serum antioxidant enzyme activities, and excreta phosphorus content were assessed.Results: In PCFWH, spore counts, protease activity, xylanase activity, and ferulic acid were 8.50 log/g dry matter (DM), 190 unit/g DM, 120 unit/g DM, and 127 μg/g, respectively. Xylobiose and xylotriose were released in PCFWH, while they were not detectable in WB. Antioxidant capacity was also enhanced in PCFWH compared to WB. The 10% WB+Phy and 10% PCFWH groups produced higher egg mass, but hens fed 5% WB+Phy had the lowest amount of feed intake. Eggs from 10% PCFWH had better eggshell weight, eggshell strength, and eggshell thickness. Birds fed with 10% PCFWH also had higher serum superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. Compare to control, 10% PCFWH significantly reduced excreta phosphorus content.Conclusion: Diet inclusion of 10% PCFWH improved egg quality, antioxidant status, and excreta phosphorus content of laying hens.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Increases Peritonsillar Abscess Susceptibility: Real-World Evidence

Ching-Lung Wu,Ming-Shao Tsai,Ta-Jen Lee,Yun-Ting Wang,Chia-Yen Liu,Yao-Hsu Yang,Yao-Te Tsai,Cheng-Ming Hsu,Ching-Yuan Wu,Pey-Jium Chang,Geng-He Chang 대한이비인후과학회 2021 Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology Vol.14 No.3

Objectives. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a risk factor for deep neck infection (DNI) and leads to complications and poor outcomes. Our study aimed to investigate the risk, prognosis, and complications of peritonsillar abscess (PTA) in patients with T2DM. Methods. We extracted data of patients newly diagnosed as having T2DM between January 2000 and December 2011 from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database. These patients were matched with patients without T2DM, and PTA incidence was compared between both cohorts. Results. In total, 67,852 patients with and 135,704 patients without T2DM were enrolled. PTA incidence was significantly higher in patients with T2DM (incidence rate ratio, 1.91; P<0.001); moreover, PTA incidence was higher at 1 to 5 years after T2DM diagnosis than at <1 and >5 years after T2DM diagnosis. Cox regression analysis showed that patients with T2DM had an approximately 2-fold higher PTA risk (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.89, P<0.001). Patients with a higher adapted Diabetes Complications Severity Index (aDCSI) had higher PTA risk than those with a lower aDCSI (aHRs: 2.17 for aDCSI ≥1, P=0.006 and 1.81 for aDCSI=0, P=0.002). T2DM patients with a high aDCSI (≥1) had a nonsignificantly longer hospitalization duration and a higher rate of DNI complications than did those with a low aDCSI (=0). Conclusion. In patients with T2DM, PTA incidence was relatively high, and it increased with T2DM severity. Moreover, T2DM patients should be particularly careful about PTA within 1 to 5 years after the diagnosis, and physicians should keep in mind that the prognosis of PTA was correlated with T2DM severity.

Asymmetric Structures of a Squall-Line MCS over Taiwan with Significant Hydraulic Jumps

Yu‑Tai Pan,Ming‑Jen Yang 한국기상학회 2022 Asia-Pacific Journal of Atmospheric Sciences Vol.58 No.3

On 19 April 2019, a mature squall-line mesoscale convective system (MCS) with the characteristics of a leading convective line and trailing stratiform landed on Taiwan, resulting in strong gust wind and heavy rainfall. This squall-line MCS became asymmetric after landfall on Taiwan. Two sets of idealized numerical simulations (mountain heights and low-level vertical wind shear) using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model were conducted to examine the impacts of realistic Taiwan topography on a squall-line MCS. Results showed numerous similarities between the idealized simulations and real-case observations. The low-level Froude number which considered the terrain height ( Fmt) was calculated to examine the blocking effect of the Taiwan terrain, and the cold pool (determined by − 1.5 K isotherm) was found to be completely blocked by the 500-m height contour. The northeast-southwest orientation of the Snow Mountain Range (SMR), and the north–south orientation of the Central Mountain Range (CMR) led to the upwind side asymmetry. On the other hand, the lee-side asymmetry was associated with different intensities and occurrence locations of the hydraulic jump between the SMR and southern CMR, and the cold-pool Froude number ( Fcp) indicated the flow-regime transition from subcritical to supercritical.

Quercetin-mediated Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis Involving Activation of a Caspase Cascade through the Mitochondrial Pathway in Human Breast Cancer MCF-7 Cells

Chu-Chung Chou,Jai-Sing Yang,Hsu-Feng Lu,Siu-Wan Ip,Chyi Lo,Chih-Chung Wu,Jing-Pin Lin,Nou-Ying Tang,Jing-Gung Chung,Ming-Jen Chou,Ying-Hock Teng,Dar-Ren Chen 대한약학회 2010 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.33 No.8

Dietary polyphenols have been correlated with a reduced risk of developing cancer. Quercetin (a natural polyphenolic compound) induced apoptosis in many human cancer cell lines, including breast cancer MCF-7 cells. However, the involvement of possible signaling pathways and the roles of quercetin in apoptosis are still undefined. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of quercetin on the induction of the apoptotic pathway in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. When MCF-7 cells were treated with quercetin for 24 and 48 h and at various doses (10-175 μM), cell viability decreased significantly in time- and dose-dependent manners. Exposure of MCF-7 cells to 10-175 μM quercetin resulted in an approximate 90.25% decrease in viable cells. To explicate the mechanism underlying the antiproliferative effect of quercetin, cell cycle distribution and apoptosis in MCF-7 cells was investigated after exposure to 150 μM quercetin for 6-48 h. Quercetin caused a remarkable increase in the number of S phase (14.56%to 61.35%) and sub-G1 phase cells (0.1% to 8.32%) in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Quercetin caused S phase arrest by decreasing the protein expression of CDK2, cyclins A and B while increasing the p53 and p57 proteins. Following incubation with quercetin for 48 h, MCF-7 cells showed apoptotic cell death by the decreased levels of Bcl-2 protein and ΔΨ m and increased activations of caspase-6, -8 and -9. Moreover, quercetin increased the AIF protein released from mitochondria to nuclei and the GADD153 protein translocation from endoplasmic reticulum to the nuclei. These data suggested that quercetin may induce apoptosis by direct activation of the caspase cascade through the mitochondrial pathway in MCF-7 cells.

Intense X-ray induced formation of silver nanoparticles stabilized by biocompatible polymers

Wang, Chang-Hai,Liu, Chi-Jen,Wang, Cheng-Liang,Chien, Chia-Chi,Hwu, Y.,Liu, Ru-Shi,Yang, Chung-Shi,Je, Jung-Ho,Lin, Hong-Ming,Margaritondo, G. Springer-Verlag 2009 Applied physics. A, Materials science & processing Vol.97 No.2

Identification of a Novel Frameshift Mutation in the ARSE Gene of a Newborn Boy Diagnosed with Chondrodysplasia Punctata 1 (CDPX1)

Pen Hua Su,Jia Yuh Chen,Ju Shan Yu,Suh Jen Chen,Jui Ming Hu,Jia Min Yang 한국유전학회 2007 Genes & Genomics Vol.29 No.3

X-linked chondrodysplasia punctata (CDPX 1) is a congenital disorder characterized by abnormalities in cartilage and bone development. Here, we examined a young, male subject diagnosed with chondrodysplasia punctata presented by typical radiologic findings of calcific stippling at the vertebrae as well as in the sacral area. CDPX 1 has long been thought to be a hereditary disease of generalized skeletal dysplasia. We discovered a de novo frame shift mutation in the arylsulphatase gene, ARSE, which generated an early stop codon. Remarkably, the mother of the newborn subject consumed Chinese herbs, cnidiir rhizome, during the entire pregnancy period. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of chondrodysplasia punctata that is correlated with mutations in exon 9 of the ARSE gene. Furthermore, we postulated that consuming specific herbs during prolonged periods while pregnant could be directly or indirectly related to the occurrence of mutation in the ARSE gene and may as a consequence lead to drug embryopathy.

Characteristics and Causes of Extreme Rainfall Induced by Binary Tropical Cyclones over China

Mingyang Wang,Fumin Ren,Yanjun Xie,Guoping Li,Ming-Jen Yang,Tian Feng 한국기상학회 2021 Asia-Pacific Journal of Atmospheric Sciences Vol.57 No.2

Binary tropical cyclones (BTC) often bring disastrous rainfall to China. From the viewpoint of the extreme of the BTC maximum daily rainfall, the characteristics of BTC extreme rainfall (BTCER) during 1960–2018 are analyzed, using daily rainfall data; and some representative large-scale mean flows, in which the associated BTCs are embedded, are analyzed. Results show that the frequency of BTCER shows a decreasing trend [−0.49 (10 yr)−1] and is mainly distributed within the BTC heavy rainstorm interval (100 mm≤ BTCER <250 mm). BTCER occurs mostly from July to September with a peak in August. Three BTCER typical regions— Minbei, the Pearl River Delta (PRD), and Taiwan—are identified according to the clustering of stations with high BTCER frequency and large BTCER. A further analysis of the 850-hPa BTC composite horizontal wind and water vapor flux over the PRD region shows the existence of two water vapor transport channels, which transport water vapor to the western tropical cyclone. In the first of these channels, the transport takes place via the southwest monsoon, which accounts for 58% of the total moisture, and an easterly flow associated with eastern tropical cyclone accounts for the remaining 42%. Binary tropical cyclones (BTC) often bring disastrous rainfall to China. From the viewpoint of the extreme of the BTC maximum daily rainfall, the characteristics of BTC extreme rainfall (BTCER) during 1960–2018 are analyzed, using daily rainfall data; and some representative large-scale mean flows, in which the associated BTCs are embedded, are analyzed. Results show that the frequency of BTCER shows a decreasing trend [−0.49 (10 yr) −1 ] and is mainly distributed within the BTC heavy rainstorm interval (100 mm ≤ BTCER <250 mm). BTCER occurs mostly from July to September with a peak in August. Three BTCER typical regions— Minbei, the Pearl River Delta (PRD), and Taiwan—are identified according to the clustering of stations with high BTCER frequency and large BTCER. A further analysis of the 850-hPa BTC composite horizontal wind and water vapor flux over the PRD region shows the existence of two water vapor transport channels, which transport water vapor to the western tropical cyclone. In the first of these channels, the transport takes place via the southwest monsoon, which accounts for 58% of the total moisture, and an easterly flow associated with eastern tropical cyclone accounts for the remaining 42%.