Li-Ming Yang

Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan

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Publications (21)53.71 Total impact

  • Article: Oxygenated compounds from the bioconversion of isostevic acid and their inhibition of TNF-α and COX-2 expressions in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells.
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    ABSTRACT: Fourteen oxygenated compounds were isolated from the preparative-scale biotransformation of isostevic acid (ent-beyeran-19-oic acid). Incubation of it with Aspergillus niger BCRC 32720 produced eight metabolites, four with Bacillus megaterium ATCC 14581, and another four with Mortierella isabellina ATCC 38063. In addition to their structural elucidation by NMR spectroscopy and HRMS, structures of four of these were further confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies. Real-time reverse transcription PCR analysis found that 15 of these compounds displayed significant in vitro anti-inflammatory activity in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages by reducing the levels of both TNF-α and COX-2 mRNA relative to control cells stimulated by LPS alone. The activity of one metabolite was similar to that of dexamethasone in inhibiting the expression of TNF-α mRNA, while all test compounds except two of them were more potent than dexamethasone in inhibiting the expression of the COX-2 mRNA.
    Phytochemistry 03/2012; 75:90-8. · 3.35 Impact Factor
  • Article: Transformation of isosteviol lactam by fungi and the suppressive effects of its transformed products on LPS-induced iNOS expression in macrophages.
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    ABSTRACT: From the screening of 21 microbial strains, Absidia pseudocylindrospora ATCC 24169 and Aspergillus niger BCRC 32720 were found to reproducibly transform isosteviol lactam (4α-carboxy-13α-amino-13,16-seco-ent-19-norbeyeran-16-oic acid 13,16-lactam) (3) into various compounds. Preparative-scale transformation of 3 with Abs. pseudocylindrospora yielded two new hydroxylated compounds (4 and 5), with conservation of the lactam ring. Preparative-scale transformation of 3 with Asp. niger afforded seven new compounds, 6 and 9-14, together with the known compounds 7 and 8. A single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiment confirmed the structure of 14. The suppressive effects of compounds 1-14 on the lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of the inducible nitric oxide synthase gene in RAW 264.7 macrophages were examined by a reverse-transcription real-time PCR analysis. With the exception of 7, all other compounds significantly reduced levels of iNOS mRNA relative to control cells, which were induced by LPS alone. Compounds 2, 3, and 5 were similar in activity to dexamethasone, while 9 was more potent.
    Journal of Natural Products 06/2011; 74(6):1379-85. · 3.13 Impact Factor
  • Article: Caffeic acid improves the bioavailability of L-dopa in rabbit plasma.
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    ABSTRACT: The impacts of caffeic acid (3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid, CA) on the pharmacokinetics of levodopa (L-dopa) were studied in rabbits. A single dose of 5/1.25 mg kg(-1) L-dopa/carbidopa was administered alone or was co-administered with three different doses of caffeic acid (2.5, 5, and 10 mg kg(-1)), or a single dose of 5 mg kg(-1) caffeic acid was administered alone via an intramuscular route to six rabbits each in a crossover treatment protocol. Plasma levels of L-dopa, 3-O-methyldopa (3-OMD), caffeic acid, and ferulic acid were determined and subsequently used to calculate their pharmacokinetic parameters. The results indicated that caffeic acid administered at a dose of 10 mg kg(-1) decreased about 22% of the peripheral formation of 3-OMD and about 31% of the C(max) of 3-OMD. In addition, the metabolic ratios (MR, AUC of 3-OMD/AUC of L-dopa) decreased by about 22%. Results also indicated that caffeic acid significantly decreased the proportion of 3-OMD (p < 0.05). In contrast, the parameters of neither caffeic acid nor ferulic acid were significantly affected by L-dopa/carbidopa. In conclusion, caffeic acid at a dose of 10 mg kg(-1) can significantly affect the COMT metabolic pathway of L-dopa.
    Phytotherapy Research 11/2009; 24(6):852-8. · 2.09 Impact Factor
  • Article: Microbial transformation of isosteviol oxime and the inhibitory effects on NF-kappaB and AP-1 activation in LPS-stimulated macrophages.
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    ABSTRACT: Microbial transformation of isosteviol oxime (ent-16-E-hydroxyiminobeyeran-19-oic acid) (2) with Aspergillus niger BCRC 32720 and Absidia pseudocylindrospora ATCC 24169 yielded several compounds. In addition to bioconverting the d-ring to lactone and lactam moieties, 4alpha-carboxy-13alpha-hydroxy-13,16-seco-ent-19-norbeyeran-16-oic acid 13,16-lactone (7) and 4alpha-carboxy-13alpha-amino-13,16-seco-ent-19-norbeyeran-16-oic acid 13,16-lactam (10), one known compound, ent-1beta,7alpha-dihydroxy-16-oxo-beyeran-19-oic acid (6), and five new compounds, ent-7alpha-hydroxy-16-E-hydroxyiminobeyeran-19-oic acid (3), ent-1beta,7alpha-dihydroxy-16-E-hydroxyiminobeyeran-19-oic acid (4), ent-1beta-hydroxy-16-E-hydroxyiminobeyeran-19-oic acid (5), ent-8beta-cyanomethyl-13-methyl-12-podocarpen-19-oic acid (8), and ent-8beta-cyanomethyl-13-methyl-13-podocarpen-19-oic acid (9), were isolated from the microbial transformation of 2. Elucidation of the structures of these isolated compounds was primarily based on 1D and 2D NMR, and HRESIMS data, and 3-5 were further confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analyses. Additionally, the inhibitory effects of all of these compounds were evaluated on NF-kappaB and AP-1 activation in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Among the compounds tested, 5 and 10 significantly inhibited NF-kappaB activation, with 5 showing equal potency to dexamethasone; 3 and 6-9 significantly inhibited AP-1 activation, particularly 8, which showed more inhibitory activity than dexamethasone.
    Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry 08/2009; 17(17):6348-53. · 2.82 Impact Factor
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    Article: Fungal transformation of isosteviol lactone and its biological evaluation for inhibiting the AP-1 transcription factor.
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    ABSTRACT: A number of hydroxylated diterpenoids were obtained from the microbial transformation of isosteviol lactone (4alpha-carboxy-13alpha-hydroxy-13,16-seco-ent-19-norbeyeran-16-oic acid 13,16-lactone) (2) with Mucorrecurvatus MR 36, Aspergillusniger BCRC 31130, and Absidiapseudocylindrospora ATCC 24169. Incubation of 2 with M. recurvatus and Asp.niger led to isolation of seven known compounds (1 and 3-8). Incubation of 2 with Abs. pseudocylindrospora produced 5 and six previously unreported compounds (9-14). The structures of these isolated compounds were deduced by high-field NMR techniques ((1)H, (13)C, DEPT, COSY, NOESY, HSQC, and HMBC), and those of 9 and 11 were further confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analyses. Subsequently, the inhibitory effects on activator protein-1 (AP-1) activation in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages of all of these compounds were evaluated. Compounds 2-5, 8, 9, 11, and 12 exhibited significant inhibitory activity, while 3 was more potent than the reference compound of dexamethasone.
    Phytochemistry 05/2009; 70(6):759-64. · 3.35 Impact Factor
  • Article: Microbial transformation of isosteviol lactone and evaluation of the transformation products on androgen response element.
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    ABSTRACT: Two filamentous fungi, Cunninghamella bainieri ATCC 9244 and Aspergillus niger BCRC 32720, were used to investigate the biotransformation of isosteviol lactone (4alpha-carboxy-13alpha-hydroxy-13,16- seco-ent-19-norbeyeran-16-oic acid 13,16-lactone) ( 2), which was derived by reacting isosteviol ( ent-16-oxobeyeran-19-oic acid) ( 1) with m-chloroperbenzoic acid. Incubation of 2 with C. bainieri afforded metabolites 3- 6, which involved isomerization, hydroxylation, and ring cleavage reactions followed by oxidation and selective O-methylation. Incubation of 2 with A. niger afforded mono-, di-, and trihydroxylated metabolites 3, 4, and 7- 12. The structures of 3- 12 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses, and structures 3, 4, and 6 were confirmed by X-ray crystallographic studies. Compounds 2- 6, 8- 10, and 12 were assayed as androgen agonists using an ARE (androgen response element)-mediated luciferase reporter gene assay. Compounds 3, 6, and 10 were significantly active, with 6 showing more activity than testosterone.
    Journal of Natural Products 05/2008; 71(4):602-7. · 3.13 Impact Factor
  • Article: Selective COX-2 inhibitors. Part 2: synthesis and biological evaluation of 4-benzylideneamino- and 4-phenyliminomethyl-benzenesulfonamides.
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    ABSTRACT: Two series of 4-benzylideneamino- and 4-phenyliminomethyl-benzenesulfonamide derivatives were designed and synthesized for the evaluation as selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors in a cellular assay using human whole blood (HWB). Extensive structure-activity relationships (SAR) were studied within these series. Several compounds were found to be novel and selective COX-2 inhibitors. Among them, the most potent and selective was 4-(3-carboxy-4-hydroxy-benzylideneamino)benzenesulfonamide (20, LA2135), (IC(50)'s for COX-1: 85.13 microM; COX-2: 0.74 microM; SI: 114.5), being more active COX-2 selective than celecoxib.
    Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry 04/2008; 16(5):2697-706. · 2.82 Impact Factor
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    Article: Microbial transformation of isosteviol and bioactivities against the glucocorticoid/androgen response elements.
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    ABSTRACT: Preparative-scale fermentation of isosteviol ( ent-16-oxobeyeran-19-oic acid) (1) with Mucor recurvatus MR 36, Absidia pseudocylindrospora ATCC 24169, and Aspergillus niger BCRC 32720 afforded nine known metabolites ( 2, 3, 5-10, and 14) and nine new metabolites ( 4, 11-13, and 15-19). The reactions involved stereoselective introduction of OH groups at positions C-1, -6, -7, -9, -11, -12, -15, and -17 as well as further ketonization at the C-1 and C-7 positions. The structures of the metabolites were established on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR and IR supported by HRFABMS. GRE (glucocorticoid response element)- and ARE (androgen response element)-mediated luciferase reporter gene assays were used to screen for the biological activities of 1 and its metabolites. Compounds 7, 13, 16, and 18 showed significantly enhanced GRE-mediated luciferase activity, but at levels less than that induced by either methylprednisolone or dexamethasone. On the other hand, compounds 3, 4, 12, 13, 14, and 18 showed significant effects on ARE-mediated luciferase activity; in particular, 3, 12, 14, and 18 were more active than testosterone.
    Journal of Natural Products 02/2008; 71(1):87-92. · 3.13 Impact Factor
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    Article: Biotransformation of gallic acid by Beauveria sulfurescens ATCC 7159.
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    ABSTRACT: Preparative-scale fermentation of gallic acid (3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid) (1) with Beauveria sulfurescens ATCC 7159 gave two new glucosidated compounds, 4-(3,4-dihydroxy-6-hydroxymethyl-5-methoxy-tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-3-hydroxy-5-methoxy-benzoic acid (4), 3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethoxy-benzoic acid 3,4-dihydroxy-6-hydroxymethyl-5-methoxy-tetrahydro-pyran-2-yl ester (7), along with four known compounds, 3-O-methylgallic acid (2), 4-O-methylgallic acid (3), 3,4-O-dimethylgallic acid (5), and 3,5-O-dimethylgallic acid (6). The new metabolite genistein 7-O-beta-D-4''-O-methyl-glucopyranoside (8) was also obtained as a byproduct due to the use of soybean meal in the fermentation medium. The structural elucidation of the metabolites was based primarily on 1D-, 2D-NMR, and HRFABMS analyses. Among these compounds, 2, 3, and 5 are metabolites of gallic acid in mammals. This result demonstrated that microbial culture parallels mammalian metabolism; therefore, B. sulfurescens might be a useful tool for generating mammalian metabolites of related analogs of gallic acid (1) for complete structural identification and for further use in investigating pharmacological and toxicological properties in this series of compounds. In addition, a GRE (glucocorticoid response element)-mediated luciferase reporter gene assay was used to initially screen for the biological activity of the 6 compounds, 2-6 and 8, along with 1 and its chemical O-methylated derivatives 9-13. Among the 12 compounds tested, 11-13 were found to be significant, but less active than the reference compounds of methylprednisolone and dexamethasone.
    Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 04/2007; 74(3):659-66. · 3.42 Impact Factor
  • Article: Microbial metabolism of steviol and steviol-16alpha,17-epoxide.
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    ABSTRACT: Steviol (2) possesses a blood glucose-lowering property. In order to produce potentially more- or less-active, toxic, or inactive metabolites compared to steviol (2), its microbial metabolism was investigated. Incubation of 2 with the microorganisms Bacillus megaterium ATCC 14581, Mucor recurvatus MR 36, and Aspergillus niger BCRC 32720 yielded one new metabolite, ent-7alpha,11beta,13-trihydroxykaur-16-en-19-oic acid (7), together with four known related biotransformation products, ent-7alpha,13-dihydroxykaur-16-en-19-oic acid (3), ent-13-hydroxykaur-16-en-19-alpha-d-glucopyranosyl ester (4), ent-13,16beta,17-trihydroxykauran-19-oic acid (5), and ent-13-hydroxy-7-ketokaur-16-en-19-oic acid (6). The preliminary testing of antihyperglycemic effects showed that 5 was more potent than the parent compound (2). Thus, the microbial metabolism of steviol-16alpha,17-epoxide (8) with M. recurvatus MR 36 was continued to produce higher amounts of 5 for future study of its action mechanism. Preparative-scale fermentation of 8 yielded 5, ent-11alpha,13,16alpha,17-tetrahydroxykauran-19-oic acid (10), ent-1beta,17-dihydroxy-16-ketobeyeran-19-oic acid (11), and ent-7alpha,17-dihydroxy-16-ketobeyeran-19-oic acid (13), together with three new metabolites: ent-13,16beta-dihydroxykauran-17-acetoxy-19-oic acid (9), ent-11beta,13-dihydroxy-16beta,17-epoxykauran-19-oic acid (12), and ent-11beta,13,16beta,17-tetrahydroxykauran-19-oic acid (14). The structures of the compounds were fully elucidated using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques, as well as HRFABMS. In addition, a GRE (glucocorticoid responsive element)-mediated luciferase reporter assay was used to initially screen the compounds 3-5, and 7 as glucocorticoid agonists. Compounds 4, 5 and 7 showed significant effects.
    Phytochemistry 03/2007; 68(4):562-70. · 3.35 Impact Factor
  • Article: Transformation of steviol-16alpha,17-epoxide by Streptomyces griseus and Cunninghamella bainieri.
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    ABSTRACT: Eight new ent-beyerane metabolites, 5-8, 12, and 14-16, and four new ent-kaurane metabolites, 3, 10, 11, and 13, together with two known metabolites, 4 and 9, were isolated from the microbial transformations of steviol-16alpha,17-epoxide using Streptomyces griseus ATCC 10137 and Cunninghamella bainieri ATCC 9244. The structures of the metabolites were characterized by IR, HRFABMS, and 1D and 2D NMR data. In addition, a GRE (glucocorticoid response element)-mediated luciferase reporter assay was used to initially screen for the biological activity of the 11 metabolites and stevioside. Steviol (1), steviol-16alpha,17-epoxide (2), ent-11alpha,13,16alpha,17-tetrahydroxykauran-19-oic acid (3), ent-17-hydroxy-16-ketobeyeran-19-oic acid (4), ent-9alpha,13-dihydroxy-16beta,17-epoxykauran-19-oic acid (10), ent-9alpha,17-dihydroxy-16-ketobeyeran-19-oic acid (12), ent-1beta,17-dihydroxy-16-ketobeyeran-19-oic acid (14), and stevioside showed significant effects; in particular, stevioside showed almost equal potency as dexamethasone.
    Journal of Natural Products 11/2006; 69(10):1450-5. · 3.13 Impact Factor
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    Article: Selective COX-2 inhibitors. Part 1: synthesis and biological evaluation of phenylazobenzenesulfonamides.
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    ABSTRACT: A series of phenylazobenzenesulfonamide derivatives were designed and synthesized for the evaluation as selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors in a cellular assay using human whole blood (HWB) and an enzymatic assay using purified ovine enzymes. Extensive structure-activity relationships (SAR) were studied within this series, and several of selective COX-2 inhibitors have been identified. Among them, compound 8, 4-(4-amino-2-methylsulfanyl-phenylazo)benzenesulfonamide, showed a potent inhibitory activity to the cyclooxygenase enzymes (IC(50)'s for COX-1: 23.28 microM; COX-2: 2.04 microM), being active but less COX-2 selective than celecoxib.
    Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters 10/2006; 16(17):4440-3. · 2.55 Impact Factor
  • Article: Transformation of Steviol-16α,17-epoxide by Streptomyces griseus and Cunninghamella bainieri
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    ABSTRACT: Eight new ent-beyerane metabolites, 5−8, 12, and 14−16, and four new ent-kaurane metabolites, 3, 10, 11, and 13, together with two known metabolites, 4 and 9, were isolated from the microbial transformations of steviol-16α,17-epoxide using Streptomyces griseus ATCC 10137 and Cunninghamella bainieri ATCC 9244. The structures of the metabolites were characterized by IR, HRFABMS, and 1D and 2D NMR data. In addition, a GRE (glucocorticoid response element)-mediated luciferase reporter assay was used to initially screen for the biological activity of the 11 metabolites and stevioside. Steviol (1), steviol-16α,17-epoxide (2), ent-11α,13,16α,17-tetrahydroxykauran-19-oic acid (3), ent-17-hydroxy-16-ketobeyeran-19-oic acid (4), ent-9α,13-dihydroxy-16β,17-epoxykauran-19-oic acid (10), ent-9α,17-dihydroxy-16-ketobeyeran-19-oic acid (12), ent-1β,17-dihydroxy-16-ketobeyeran-19-oic acid (14), and stevioside showed significant effects; in particular, stevioside showed almost equal potency as dexamethasone.
    09/2006;
  • Article: Isolation and immunomodulatory effect of flavonoids from Syzygium samarangense.
    Yuh-Chi Kuo, Li-Ming Yang, Lie-Chwen Lin
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    ABSTRACT: Sixteen flavonoids were isolated from the acetone extract of the leaves of Syzygium samarangense Merr. et Perry. The isolated flavonoids were evaluated for immunopharmacological activity. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were used as target cells, and cell proliferation was determined by 3H-thymidine uptake. Among them, (-)-strobopinin (2), myricetin 3-O-(2''-O-galloyl)-alpha-rhamnopyranoside (8), (-)-epigallocatechin 3- O-gallate (10) and myricetin 3-O-alpha-rhamnopyranoside (11) showed inhibitory potency on PBMC proliferation activated by phytohemagglutinin (PHA). The IC50 values of compounds 2, 8, 10, and 11 on activated PBMC proliferation were 36.3, 11.9, 28.9, and 75.6 microM, respectively. The inhibitory mechanisms may involve the blocking of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production, since compounds 2, 8, 10 and 11 reduced IL-2 and IFN-gamma production in PBMC in a dose-dependent manner.
    Planta Medica 01/2005; 70(12):1237-9. · 2.15 Impact Factor
  • Article: C5a differentially stimulates the ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK phosphorylation through independent signaling pathways to induced chemotactic migration in RAW264.7 macrophages.
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    ABSTRACT: We elucidate the roles of various protein kinases involved in complement 5a (C5a)-induced cell migration. Results showed that extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (P13K) were necessary for C5a-induced migration, whereas protein kinase C and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) were nonessential. C5a-induced migration was also suppresses by phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor U73122 and pertussis toxin (PTX). We found that C5a-induced, time-dependent (1) ERK1/2 phosphorylation was markedly diminished by PTX, U73122, P13K inhibitors wortmannin and LY294002 and ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059; (2) Akt phosphorylation was also attenuated by the above inhibitors except PD98059; (3) p38 MAPK phosphorylation was only affected by PTX. Furthermore, C5a also stimulated PLCbeta(2) membrane translocation in a time-dependent manner that occurred early prior to Akt phosphorylation and could be abolished only by PTX and U73122. These results suggest that C5a, through the activation of PTX-sensitive G protein, to differentially stimulate ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK phosphorylation and evoke cell migration. That is, ERK1/2 but not p38 MAPK phosphorylation is down stream of P13K/Akt and modulated by PLC. Additionally, beta(2) isoform may be one of the participates in C5a signal and acts more upstream of P13K/Akt.
    International Immunopharmacology 11/2004; 4(10-11):1329-41. · 2.38 Impact Factor
  • Article: Andrographolide acts through inhibition of ERK1/2 and Akt phosphorylation to suppress chemotactic migration.
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    ABSTRACT: We now evaluated the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of andrographolide on complement 5a (C5a)-induced macrophage recruitment in vitro. Andrographolide concentration dependently inhibited cell migration toward C5a with an IC50 of 5.6+/-0.7 microM. With relatively specific kinase inhibitors (PD98059, SB203580, SP600125, wortmannin and LY294002, respectively) the results showed that extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) were necessary for C5a-induced migration, whereas c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) was nonessential. Andrographolide significantly attenuated C5a-stimulated phosphorylation of ERK1/2, and of its upstream activator, MAP kinase-ERK kinase (MEK1/2). C5a-activated ERK1/2 phosphorylation was 86+/-9% inhibited by 30 microM andrographolide. Under the same conditions, however, andrographolide failed to affect C5a-stimulated p38 MAPK and JNK phosphorylation. Andrographolide also strongly abolished C5a-stimulated Akt phosphorylation, a downstream target protein for PI3K. These results indicate that inhibition of cell migration by interfering with ERK1/2 and PI3K/Akt signal pathways may contribute to the anti-inflammatory activity of andrographolide.
    European Journal of Pharmacology 10/2004; 498(1-3):45-52. · 2.52 Impact Factor
  • Article: Hydroxylation and glucosidation of ent-16beta-Hydroxybeyeran-19-oic acid by Bacillus megaterium and Aspergillus niger.
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    ABSTRACT: ent-16beta-Hydroxybeyeran-19-oic acid ( 1) has potential antihypertensive activity. To obtain novel and more-effective compounds, 1 was incubated with Bacillus megaterium ATCC 14 581 and Aspergillus niger CCRC 32 720. The structures of the metabolites were determined by HR-FAB-MS, 1D- and 2D-NMR spectral data, and enzymatic hydrolysis. Bacillus megaterium hydroxylated and glucosidated 1 to yield ent-7alpha,16beta-dihydroxybeyeran-19-oic acid ( 2), ent-16beta-hydroxybeyeran-19-oic acid alpha- D-glucopyranosyl ester ( 3), and ent-7alpha,16beta-dihydroxybeyeran-19-oic acid alpha- D-glucopyranosyl ester ( 4). Aspergillus niger hydroxylated 1 to yield ent-1beta,7alpha,16beta-trihydroxybeyeran-19-oic acid ( 5) and ent-1beta,7alpha-dihydroxy-16-oxobeyeran-19-oic acid ( 6). Metabolites 3 - 5 were characterized as new compounds. In addition, 2, 3, 5, and 6 were tested for antihypertensive effects, and we found that 5 and 6 were more potent than the parent compound 1.
    Planta Medica 05/2004; 70(4):359-63. · 2.15 Impact Factor
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    Article: Abeta aggregation inhibitors. Part 1: Synthesis and biological activity of phenylazo benzenesulfonamides.
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    ABSTRACT: Phenylazo benzenesulfonamides were designed and synthesized as beta-amyloid (Abeta40) fibril assembly inhibitors, and evaluated for inhibition of Abeta40 aggregation and neurotoxicity using rat cortical neurons. Compound 2 (LB-152) was the most potent compound in this study, and the para-NMe(2) group on the end of the phenylazo moiety may play an important role in preventing Abeta40 fibril formation. LB-152 provides a new lead for further development of potential beta-amyloid aggregation inhibitors to treat AD.
    Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters 04/2004; 14(5):1173-6. · 2.55 Impact Factor
  • Article: Antitumor agents. Part 3: synthesis and cytotoxicity of new trans-stilbene benzenesulfonamide derivatives.
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    ABSTRACT: A new series of trans-stilbene benzenesulfonamide derivatives were designed and synthesized as potential antitumor agents. These new compounds were evaluated in the National Cancer Institute's 60 human tumor cell line in vitro screen. Compounds 9-13 were cytotoxic against several cell lines. Notably, two compounds, 9 and 12, demonstrated selective cytotoxic activity against BT-549 breast cancer (GI(50)=0.205 microM) and HT-29 colon cancer (GI(50)=0.554 microM), respectively.
    Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters 05/2002; 12(7):1013-5. · 2.55 Impact Factor
  • Article: Microbial transformations of isosteviol.
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    ABSTRACT: Microbial transformations of the tetracyclic diterpenoid isosteviol (ent-16-ketobeyeran-19-oic acid) (2) have revealed that isosteviol is metabolized by Cunninghamella bainieri, Actinoplanes sp., Mucor recurvatus, and Cunninghamella blakesleeana to yield five new metabolites, ent-11alpha,12alpha-dihydroxy-16-ketobeyeran-19-oic acid (5), ent-11alpha,12alpha,17-trihydroxy-16-ketobeyeran-19-oic acid (6), ent-12alpha,15alpha-dihydroxy-16-ketobeyeran-19-oic acid (7), ent-7alpha,15alpha-dihydroxy-16- ketobeyeran-19-oic acid (8), and ent-9alpha-hydroxy-16-ketobeyeran-19-oic acid (9), together with three known metabolites, ent-7alpha-hydroxy-16-ketobeyeran-19-oic acid (3), ent-7beta-hydroxy-16-ketobeyeran-19-oic acid (4), and ent-12alpha-hydroxy-16-ketobeyeran-19-oic acid (10). The structures of these metabolites were established on the basis of HRFABMS and 1D and 2D NMR spectral data. In addition, metabolites 3-10 were tested for antihypertensive activity and were found to be less active than the parent compound 2.
    Journal of Natural Products 04/2002; 65(3):273-7. · 3.13 Impact Factor

Institutions

  • 2002–2012
    • Taipei Medical University
      • • Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences
      • • Graduate Institute of Pharmacognosy Science
      • • Graduate Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences
      Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan
  • 2002–2006
    • National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine
      Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan