C.J. Lee

Taipei Medical University | TMU

The increasing prevalence of Vibrio vulnificus, a potentially lethal pathogen, poses a severe threat to aquatic ecosystems and public health, exacerbated by the ongoing effects of climate change. This study explored a pioneering strategy that combines microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology and molecular docking techniques to combat V. vulnificus poll...

Yi Mai Jian herbal formula (YMJ) is formulated with Eucommiae Folium, Astragali Radix, Ligustri Lucidi Fructus, and Elaeagnus Fructus to improve bone function in traditional Chinese medicine. The anti-osteoporotic effects of YMJ in bone metabolism were evaluated in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. The skeletal structure of the femur and vertebrae was ana...

During the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) outbreak, many people were infected, and the symptoms may persist for several weeks or months for recovering patients. This is also known as “long COVID” and includes symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, muscle pain, et cetera. The COVID-19 virus may trigger hyper-inflammation associated with cytokine...

Ji-Ming-Shan (JMS) is a traditional prescription use for patients with rheumatism, tendons swelling, athlete’s foot, diuresis and even gout. This study developed a rapid and sensitive method for the analysis of JMS chemical components in the Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription and in the serum samples of rats which were administered wit...

RespireAid™ (NRICM101) is an effective anti-SARS-CoV-2 traditional Chinese medicine formula and has been licensed as a drug or dietary supplement in Taiwan, Luxembourg, Australia, Singapore, Cambodia, Philippines, and Canada. In this study, we provided integrated quality control strategy to analyze the ingredient of RespireAid™. In addition, the lo...

Paclitaxel frequently induces peripheral neuropathy and myelosuppression during cancer treatment. According to the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan, traditional Chinese medicine doctors widely use Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang (XSLJZT) to treat breast cancer patients who have received paclitaxel. We explored the combined therapeuti...

Background: Value added production of polyphenolic rich citrus peels in the form of agricultural waste valorization and as a medicinal herb holds exceptional practicality. Potential applications as natural electron shuttles for bioenergy production further valorizes citrus peels in a bid to promote sustainable energy generation. This first-attempt...

Bombax ceiba has been mentioned in indigenous systems of medicine due to its various ethnomedicinal applications. However, the anti-inflammatory activity of B. ceiba has not been thoroughly explored. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the phytochemical constituent of B. ceiba flowers and determine their antioxidative action and anti-inflammatory act...

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Ji-Ming-Shan (JMS) is a traditional herbal prescription consisting of seven herbs including Areca cathechu Burm.f., Citrus reticulata Blanco, Chaenomeles speciosa (Sweet) Nakai, Euodia ruticarpa (A. Juss.) Benth., Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton, Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.). It was fi...

With the prevalence of obesity and other components of metabolic syndrome, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become increasingly common. In recent years, much attention has been paid to various plant sources, hoping to find a treatment for NAFLD in plants. The Livsooth authentic herbal formula (LAH, 樂悠本草), a botanical drug formula combi...

Due to the pandemics of COVID-19, herbal medicine has recently been explored for possible antiviral treatment and prevention via novel platform of microbial fuel cells. It was revealed that Coffea arabica leaves was very appropriate for anti-COVID-19 drug development. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory tests exhibited the most promising activities f...

Background and aim Du-Huo-Ji-Sheng-Tang (DHJST) is a Chinese herbal formula used for arthralgia and arthritis treatment clinically. This study aims to evaluate the joint-protecting efficacy of DHJST and to identify the active constituents as the evaluation marker. Experimental procedure DHJST can be categorized into three recipes: Blood-tonifying-...

Mushrooms and Chinese traditional herbs have bioactive nutraceuticals with multiple therapeutic functions, including antioxidant and antibacterial activities and microbiome modulation properties. Mushroom-derived bioactive compounds are used in medicines for the treatment of neurological disorders with abnormal brain–gut–microbiome axis. This study...

Background Poor oral health affects quality of life; oral health literacy studies are increasing as it plays an essential role in promoting oral health. However, little is known regarding the gender differences in oral health literacy and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among older adults. This study aimed to explore the gender differe...

Paclitaxel is a prescribed anticancer drug used to treat various cancers. It is a substrate of cytochrome P-450 (CYP-450) enzymes. Despite its efficacy, paclitaxel has severe side effects. Herbal medicines are commonly used to treat the side effects of chemotherapy. They can be administered before, during, and after chemotherapy. Xiang-Sha-Liu-Jun-...

Maternal immune activation (MIA) increases the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in offspring. Microbial dysbiosis is associated with ASD symptoms. However, the alterations in the brain–gut–microbiota axis in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced MIA offspring remain unclear. Here, we examined the social behavior, anxiety-like and repetitive behavi...

Acne is a common skin condition observed in adolescents. Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt) (MF) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine; its major toxic components, safrole and myristicin, are rich in essential oils. Essential oils of MF (MFO) were extracted by hydrodistillation; the residue was extracted using 50% methanol (MFE-M). The minimu...

Acne is a skin disease common in adolescents and increasingly common in the adult population. The major pathologic events of acne vulgaris include increased sebum production, retention hyperkeratosis, carrying commensal skin microbiota, and inflammation. In recent years, more than 10,000 compounds have been isolated and identified from marine organ...

Background: The root major proteins of sweet potato trypsin inhibitors (SPTIs) or named sporamin, estimated for 60 to 80% water-soluble proteins, exhibited many biological activities. The human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) showed to form in vivo complex with endogenous oxidized alpha-1-antitrypsin. Little is known concerning the interactions betw...

Several advancements were achieved from natural products chemistry over the years and all over the world and although exploration of natural products was more focused on its application in the medical field, studies on its use in the cosmetic industry, primarily on anti-aging and whitening, have also been performed especially now that the cosmetics...

Si-Wu-Tang (SWT), a traditional Chinese formula, is commonly used to relieve menstrual discomfort and climacteric syndrome. Water decoction (WD) and concentrated herbal extract (CHE) are the two most common formulations of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, few studies have reported the equivalency of these two formulations. In this study...

Sesamum indicum L. or sesame seeds (from Pedaliaceae) has already been used and considered as herbal medicine to ameliorate symptoms related to inflammation since ancient civilizations. Modern chronic diseases, which can transform into clinical diseases, are potential targets of sesame lignans that are abundant in sesame seeds. The prime example of...

The indications for the concentrated extract product (CEP) of Wu Lin San (WLS) are urethritis, cystitis, and gonorrhea. In clinical settings, WLS is combined with other CEPs used. However, there are no prescribed guidelines of CEPs in Taiwan. In this study, we would establish the CEP-prescribed applications of WLS for cystitis according to the clin...

In this study, demethylcurcumin (DC), the minor constituent in curcuminoids, showed better than those of curcumin in anti-acetylcholinesterase (anti-AChE) activities, anti-amyloid β peptide aggregations, neuroprotective activities in 6-hydroxydopamine-treated SH-SY5Y cell models, and anti-nitric oxide productions in lipopolysaccharide-treated RAW 2...

Si-Wu Tang (SWT), a traditional Chinese formula, is commonly used for treating female diseases, such as relief of menstrual discomfort and climacteric syndrome. The aim of this study was to explore the synergistic effects between each herb in SWT on menstrual disorder patterns. Estradiol regulation and antioxidative effects were indicators that ame...

Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. is a traditional herbal medicine that is rich in polyphenols. The major compound, 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-d-glucoside (THSG) has many pharmacological activities, such as antioxidative and free radical-scavenging properties, and the abilities to reduce hyperlipidemia, prevent lipid peroxidation, and protect t...

Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a heath with abundant hydrolysable tannin in its peel. This study demonstrated that POMx (70% acetone extract of pomegranate peels) significantly reduced interleukin (IL)-1β-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and matrix metalloproteinase-13 protein expression in primary rat chondrocytes (PRCs...

Acne is a common skin condition with sebum overproduction, hyperkeratosis, Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) and Staphylococcus aureus, and inflammation. Punica granatum (pomegranate) is well-known for its anti-inflammatory effects; however, few studies have discussed the anti-acne effects of pomegranate. In this study, we found that pomegranate e...

Dang-Gui-Bu-Xue-Tang (DBT), a combination of Angelicae Sinensis Radix and Astragali Radix, is a widely used herbal decoction in traditional Chinese medicine primarily to promote or invigorate the “blood”. In this study, we explored this ancient formulation and provide evidence of its blood-toning properties. We used the improvement iron uptake as p...

The fresh rhizome of Zingiber zerumbet Smith (Zingiberaceae) is used as a food flavoring and also serves as a folk medicine as an antipyretic and for analgesics in Taiwan. Zerumbone, a monocyclic sesquiterpene was isolated from the rhizome of Z. zerumbet and is the major active compound. In this study, the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effe...

A pharmaceutical composition for alleviating or treating gout and the applications thereof are provided. The pharmaceutical composition includes p-coumaryl diacetate as an active ingredient.

Glaucoma is an irreversible ocular disease that may lead to progressive visual field loss and eventually to blindness with inadequately controlled intraocular pressure (IOP). Latanoprost is one of the most potent ocular hypotensive compounds, the current first-line therapy in glaucoma. However, the daily instillation required for efficacy and undes...

Epimedin C, an ingredient of Herba Epimedii, has potential for treatment of cardiovascular disease and bone loss. However, there is still no sensitive analytical method to monitor epimedin C in biological samples. The goal of this study was to develop a sensitive and reliable method based on a LC-MS/MS for evaluating the pharmacokinetics of epimedi...

A glycosyltransferase promoter and a recombinant nucleic acid, plant cell and transgenic plant containing thereof are provided. The promoter includes a nucleotide sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1˜7, a fragment having at least 10 contiguous bases of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1˜7 or a combination thereof, or a nucleotide sequence having...

Abstract Vitis thunbergii Sieb. et Zucc. var. taiwaniana Lu (VT) is an indigenous plant in Taiwan that is traditionally used for promoting joint health. In this study, we used in vitro primary human chondrocytes (PHCs) and two in vivo animal models to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of VT on arthritis. Results showed that the water extract o...

A pharmaceutical composition with an immunomodulating function is provided, including an extract of Bupleurum obtained by grinding the Bupleurum, adding the ground Bupleurum to a solvent and isolating the extract from the solvent, wherein the Bupleurum comprises Bupleurum krlovianum, Bupleurum longiradiatum, Bupleurum smithii, Bupleurum pusillum, B...

Astragali Radix (Huang-Qi) is a popular herbal medicine commonly used as a constituent in tonic herbal preparations. Hedysarum polybotrys Handel-Mazzetti is one species used of Astragali Radix. In this study, the immunomodulatory properties of H. polybotrys were explored by LPS-activated and SNP-treated RAW 264.7 cells and splenocytes and, daunobla...

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is used to increase the flexibility of plastics for industrial products. However, the illegal use of the plasticizer DEHP in food and drinks has been reported in Taiwan in 2011. In order to assess the exact extent of the absorption of DEHP via the oral route, the aim of this study is to develop a reliable and valid...

Objective: To examine the effects of a Chinese medical herb complex formula, Kuan-Sin-Yin (KSY) decoction, on hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers. Methods: Of 86 HBV carriers, 57 who met the inclusion criteria completed this study from February 2011 to December 2011 in Taipei City Hospital, Taiwan. The participants were randomly assigned to one of...

Tea tree oil (TTO), the essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia L., is one of the most popular agents used in cosmetics. This study aimed to explore the correlations of components in TTO with its anti-acne activities and skin irritation. TTOs were isolated from the leaves (TTO-L), twigs, and branches of M. alternifolia by steam distillation, and th...

Cantharidin, an active component in mylabris, is used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to treat scabies and hepatoma, but accompanied by hemorrhagic cystitis. Evidence shows that cantharidin induces human bladder carcinoma cell death through COX-2 overexpression in vitro. In TCM, Scutellaria baicalensis is usually used to cure mylabris-induced...

Wu-Chia-Pi medicated wine, composed nine Chinese medicines soaked in 35% alcohol, is widely used in Asia for its health-promoting functions. However, long-term consumption of alcohol could result in liver dysfunction. In this study, Wu-Chia-Pi solution (WCPS) and extract (WCPE) were prepared by modification of the principals given by the Committee...

This study examined the modulating effects of Clematis chinensis Osbeck (Ranunculaeae) on pro-inflammatory and degradative mediators associated with inflammatory arthritis. Primary human chondrocytes (PHC) were stimulated with IL-1β or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce the enhanced release of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), metalloproteinase (MMP-3 a...

In this study, well-known skin-care functional parameters were used, including UV absorption, DPPH-scavenging, NO-production-inhibition, tyrosinase-inhibition activity and anti-Staphylococcus aureus activity to measure the effects of the 70% acetone-extracts form 28 species of Lamiaceae plants. Further, the phytochemical contents were explored by t...

The root of Boehmeria spp (ramie) is a hepatoprotective Chinese herbal medicine. Medicinal properties vary between Boehmeria nivea var. nivea and Boehmeria nivea var. tenacissima, which are local species found in Taiwan. As commercial preparations may use either species, there is a need for a rapid and simple assay to identify variants for quality...

Inflammation can cause various physical dysfunctions. Punica granatum Linne (pomegranate), a high phenolic content fruit, is widely used as an antipyretic analgesic in Chinese culture. Pomegranate has shown potential nitric oxide (NO) inhibition in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Moreover, pomegranate (100 mg/kg) significantly decreased car...

Nowadays herbal medicines of skin-whitening cosmetics are popular with women. We attempted to find the whitening activity compounds present in many herbal medicines used for this purpose and discuss their mechanisms in melanin biosynthesis. The 70% acetone extracts of 10 kinds of herbs were investigated for their mushroom tyrosinase activity inhibi...

Zingiber zerumbet Smith has long been used as a botanical medicine for anti-inflammation in Southeast Asia. In this paper, zerumbone (1), 3-O-methyl kaempferol (2), kaempferol-3-O-(2, 4-di-O-acetyl-α-l-rhamnopyranoside) (3), and kaempferol-3-O-(3,4-di-O-acetyl-α-l-rhamnopyranoside) (4) were isolated from the rhizome of Z. zerumbet. The inhibitory e...

Indomethacin is used as an anti-inflammatory drug and a nonselective cyclooxygenase inhibitor. When indomethacin in methanol was photo-irradiated with an Hg lamp, methyl ester, ethyl ester, and gamma-lactone derivatives of indomethacin were produced. In the present study, we found that the methyl ester derivative of indomethacin (M-IN) could more p...