Sheng-Yang Wang

National Chung Hsing University | NCHU · Department of Forestry

Glossogyne tenuifolia Cassini (Hsiang-Ju in Chinese) is a perennial herb native to Taiwan. It was used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as an antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective agent. Recent studies have shown that extracts of G. tenuifolia possess various bioactivities, including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodula...

Physical and mechanical properties were evaluated for cross-laminated oriented bamboo scrimber board (CL-OBSB). Results of non-destructive testing revealed a linear relationship of parallel grain content with ultrasonic-wave velocity, dynamic modulus of elasticity (DMOEu), tap-tone velocity, and DMOEt values. In terms of the ratio of parallel grain...

Exudates are involved in the defense mechanism of trees; they could work against insects or microorganisms through a physical or chemical system. The main components of exudates are terpenoids. This study identified the main compounds of exudates from 13 conifers of Taiwan using gas chromatogram–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and spectroscopic analysis....

Cinnamomum insularimontanum is an endemic species of Taiwan. Although most Cinnamomum plants have significant biological activity, the bioactivity investment of C. insularimontanum is rare. Since inflammation plays an important role in many diseases, anti-inflammatory compounds can be developed into healthcare products. Therefore, we first conducte...

The mechanism of SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein‐mediated perturbations of metabolic pathways and modulation of antcin A, a steroid‐like compound isolated from Taiwanofungus camphoratus, are not studied. Here, we investigated the metabolic alteration by SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein and the regulatory effect of antcin A on SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein‐induced meta...

Long term exposure to solar ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation is one of the primary factors of premature skin aging and is referred to as photoaging. Also, mammalian skin exposed to UVB triggers an increase in production of α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (α‐MSH), which is critically involved in the pathogenesis of hyperpigmentary skin diseases. This...

Plant ARGONAUTES (AGOs) play a significant role in the defense against viral infection. Previously, we have demonstrated that AGO5s encoded in Phalaenopsis aphrodite subsp. formosana (PaAGO5s) took an indispensable part in defense against major viruses. To understand the underlying defense mechanism, we cloned PaAGO5s promoters (pPaAGO5s) and analy...

Terpene synthase (TPS) analysis may contribute to a better understanding of terpenoids biosynthesis and the evolution of phylogenetic taxonomy. Chamaecyparis formosensis Matsumura is an endemic and valuable conifer of Taiwan. Its excellent wood quality, fragrance, and durability make it become the five precious conifers in Taiwan. In this study, th...

Gemcitabine (GEM) drug resistance remains a difficult challenge in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) treatment. Therefore, identifying a safe and effective treatment strategy for PDAC is urgent. Lucidone is a natural compound extracted from the fruits of Lindera erythrocarpa Makino. However, the role of lucidone in PDAC inhibition remains unc...

Calocedrus formosana (Cupressaceae) is one of the five precious woods of Taiwan. In this study, we investigated the anti-melanogenic activity of C. formosana wood essential oil (CFEO) and its bioactive components in vitro. Initially, CFEO exhibited strong mushroom tyrosinase activity in the cell-free mushroom tyrosinase assay system with an IC50 va...

Taiwania (Taiwania cryptomerioides Hayata) has long been regarded as a living fossil from the Tertiary period of Mesozoic Era for its distinguished yellowish-red color with purplish-pink streaks presented in its heartwood. With this elegant appearance that matches the color “red” for good fortune in the Taiwanese culture, Taiwania is supposed to be...

Three new isopimaric acid diterpenoids, 6-oxoisopimaric acid (1), 6α-hydroxyisopimaric acid (2), and isopimara-7,9(11),15-trien-18-oic acid (4), together with two known isopimaric acid diterpenoids, isopimaric acid (3), and 8(14),15-isopimaradien-18-oic acid (5), were isolated from the bark of Cryptomeria japonica D. Don. Their structures were dete...

Background Fruits of Rosa laevigata Michx is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine for treating of spleen deficiency, chronic diarrhea, and chronic urinary tract infection. Recently, fruits of R. laevigate have been shown to have renal protective effects in diabetic rats. However, up to now, no studies have been reported on the anti-hypergl...

In the present study, we examined the modulatory effects of Melia azedarach Linn flowers on human physiological and psychological behaviors. Inhalation of fresh flowers for 20 min decreased salivary amylase activity. Electroencephalogram analysis exhibit that inhalation of fresh flowers reduced alpha brainwave, while gamma, delta, and theta-brainwa...

Antcins are newly identified steroid-like compounds from Taiwan’s endemic medicinal mushrooms Antrodia cinnamomea and Antrodia salmonea. Scientific studies of the past two decades confirmed that antcins have various pharmacological activities, including potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronav...

Pinus needle tea are very popular in Eastern countries such as Japan, Russia, Korea, and China. Pine needle tea is claimed to have significant anti-aging effects, but no clear evidence has supported this until now. In the present study, five undescribed compounds (1–5) as well as seventy-two known compounds were purified and characterized from the...

The fungus Antrodia cinnamomea has been used as a folk medicine for various diseases, especially cancer. When A. cinnamomea is cultured on the original host, an endangered woody plant Cinnamomum kanehirai Hayata, the fungus produces more active ingredients, but its growth is slow. Here, C. kanehirai leaf ethanol extract (KLEE) was used as a substit...

Amaranthus tricolor L., a vegetable Amaranthus species, is an economically important crop containing large amounts of betalains. Betalains are natural antioxidants and can be classified into betacyanins and betaxanthins, with red and yellow colors, respectively. A. tricolor cultivars with varying betalain contents, leading to striking red to green...

In certain plants, leaf colouration occurs in young and senescent leaves; however, it is unclear whether these two developmental stages are controlled by the same regulatory mechanisms. Formosan sweet gum (Liquidambar formosana Hance) is a subtropical deciduous tree species that possess attractive autumnal leaf colouration. The colour of young leav...

Two new dimeric abietane-type diterpenoids, 12-hydroxyabieta-8,11,13-trien-7-α-yl 7-oxoabieta-8,11,13-trien-12-yl peroxide (trivial name japonicinol C, 1) and 12-hydroxyabieta-8,11,13-trien-7-α-yl 7-oxoabieta-5,8,11,13-tetraen-12-yl peroxide (trivial name japonicinol D, 3), together with two known dimeric abietane-type diterpenoids, obtusanol A (2)...

The anti-melanogenic activity of essential oils of Alpinia nantoensis and their bioactive ingredients were investigated in vitro. Treatment with leaf (LEO) and rhizome (REO) essential oils of A. nantoensis, significantly reduced forskolin-induced melanin production followed by down-regulation of tyrosinase (TYR) and tyrosinase related protein-1 (TR...

Amaranthus tricolor L., a vegetable Amaranthus species, is an economically important crop containing large amounts of betalains. Betalains are natural antioxidants and can be classified into betacyanins and betaxanthins, with red and yellow colors, respectively. A. tricolor cultivars with varying betalain contents, leading to striking red to green...

Obesity is an abnormal medical condition caused by accumulation of body fat that presents negative health impacts. Adipocyte hyperplasia, also known as adipogenesis, is one of the major manifestations of obesity. In the present study, we isolated six phenanthrene derivatives (compounds 1-6) from the ethyl acetate fraction of Spiranthes sinensis and...

In this study, oriented bamboo scrimber board (OBSB) was manufactured with a synthesized formaldehyde-free tannin adhesive. The chemical properties of the tannin adhesive were analyzed with ¹³ C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( ¹³ C-NMR) and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFT). Results revealed that 70% aque...

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), also known as coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), is a pandemic disease that has been declared as modern history’s gravest health emergency worldwide. Until now, no precise treatment modality has been developed. The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, a host cell receptor,...

Gemcitabine (GEM) drug resistance causes high mortality rates and poor outcomes in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients. Receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) involvement in the GEM resistance process has been demonstrated. Therefore, finding a safe and effective way to inhibit receptors for RAGE-initiated GEM resistance i...

The number of people with metabolic syndrome (MetS) is increasing year by year, and MetS is associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis. The demand for health supplements to treat or prevent MetS is also growing. Cinnamomum osmophloeum Kaneh (CO) and Taiwanofungus camphoratus (TC) are endemic to Taiwan. Both have been shown to improve the symptoms of...

This study investigated the physical and mechanical properties of six groups of bamboo–wood composites (BWC) made from bamboo and wood wastes, which are produced from the industry processing in Taiwan. Results obtained from non-destructive testing (NDT) indicated that the boards made with 100% bamboo residues (Group B) revealed higher ultrasonic-wa...

Two new dimeric abietane-type diterpenoids, 12-hydroxyabieta-8,11,13-trien-7α-yl 7β-hydroxyisopimara-8(14),15-diene-18-peroxoate (trivial name japonicinol A, 1) and 6α,7α-O-(7,8-secoabieta-9(11),13-diene-8,12-dioxo-7-ylidene)ferruginol (trivial name japonicinol B, 3), together with three known dimeric abietane-type diterpenoids, sugikurojin J (2),...

Antcins are unique phytosterols isolated from A. cinnamomea and A. salmomea, which are the endemic fungus of Taiwan. A. cinnamomea has long been highly valued medicinal mushroom in Taiwan and traditionally used as a folk remedy for various human illness. Recent scientific explorations claimed that the pharmacological activities of A. cinnamomea and...

Along with the species evolution, plants have evolved ways to produce a different collection of terpenoids to accommodate its biotic and abiotic environment, and terpene synthase (TPS) is one of the major contributors to various terpene compounds. The timber of a monotypic and relictual conifer species of Cupressace, Taiwania cryptomerioides, has e...

Taiwania cryptomerioides is a monotypic gymnosperm species, valued for the high decay resistance of its wood. This durability has been attributed to the abundance of terpenoids, especially the major diterpenoid metabolite ferruginol with antifungal and antitermite activity. Specialized diterpenoid metabolism in gymnosperms primarily recruits bifunc...

Objective: This study was conducted to fathom the underlying mechanisms of nutrition intervention and redox sensitive transcription factors regulated by Antrodia cinnamomea fermented product (FAC) dietary supplementation in broiler chickens. Methods: Four hundreds d-old broilers (41±0.5 g/bird) assigned to 5 groups were examined after consuming...

Objectives: This study was investigated the effects of dietary supplementation of Antrodia cinnamomea fermented product on modulation of antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and lipid metabolism in broilers. Methods: Functional compounds and in vitro antioxidant capacity were detected in wheat bran (WB) solid-state fermented by Antrodia cinnamomea...

Recent advances in mammography screening, chemotherapy, and adjuvant treatment modalities have improved the survival rate of women with breast cancer. Nevertheless, the breast tumor with metastatic progression is still life-threatening. Indeed, combination therapy with Ras-ERK and PI3K inhibitors is clinically effective in malignant breast cancer t...

Indigenous cinnamon ( Cinnamomum osmophloeum Kaneh) is a native tree species in Taiwan and has been reported to have various bioactivities including insecticidal, larvicidal, and antimicrobial effects. The chemical finger print of C. osmophloeum is similar to that of commercial cinnamon species with lower coumarin content. The present study was aim...

Antcin-A (ATA) is a steroid-like phytochemical isolated from the fruiting bodies of a precious edible mushroom Antrodia cinnamomea. We previously showed that ATA has strong anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects; however, other possible bioactivities of this unique compound remain unexplored. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the modu...

Alpinia pricei Hayata (Zingiberaceae) is a spicy plant endemic to Taiwan. In this study, several behavioral analyses were used to evaluate the neuropharmacological activity of A. pricei in mice. Oral administration of 100, 300, and 500 mg/kg of A. pricei extract (APE) significantly prolonged pentobarbital-induced sleeping time in mice by 24.5%, 74....

Therapeutic administration of glucocorticoids (GCs) is frequently used as add-on chemotherapy for palliative purposes during breast cancer treatment. Recent studies have shown that GC treatment induces microRNA-708 in ovarian cancer cells, resulting in impaired tumor cell proliferation and metastasis. However, the regulatory functions of GCs on miR...

Lignans are major bioactive secondary metabolites, which are also formed in the heartwood (hW) of Taiwania ( Taiwania cryptomerioides ). Their biosynthesis pathways are complex and involve many enzymes and intermediates. To evaluate the extent of the genetic components leading to the variety of lignans in Taiwania hW, 35 Taiwania genotypes of four...

Two new abietane-type diterpenoids, 15-hydroxy-12-O-methylsugiol (1) and 2a-hydroxy-12-O-methylsugiol (2) were isolated from the methanol extract of the bark of Cryptomeria japonica. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and comparison of NMR data with those of known analogues. Compounds 2 showed 13.5% inhibition t...

Three new 7-oxoabietane-type diterpenoids, 3-oxosugiol methyl ether (1), 18-hydroxysugiol (2), and 1β-hydroxysugiol (3), as well as two known 7-oxoabietane-type diterpenoids, 6α-hydroxysugiol (4) and 6α-acetoxysugiol (5), were isolated from the bark of Cryptomeria japonica D. Don. Their structures were elucidated mainly by NMR and HREIMS, as well a...

Three new iridoids, namely neonanin A (1), neonanin B (2) and neoretinin A (3), as well as twelve known compounds, 6-hydroxy-7-methyl-1-oxo-4-carbomethoxyoctahydrocyclopenta[c]pyran (4), 4-epi-alyxialactone (5), loganetin (6), loganin (7), phenylcoumaran-α′-aldehyde (8), cleomiscosin A (9), ficusal (10), balanophonin (11), vanillic acid (12), p-cou...

Taiwania ( Taiwania cryptomerioides Hayata) is an indigenous conifer species of Taiwan. Various secondary metabolites of Taiwania with diverse bioactivities have been identified, and lignans are especially abundant in the heartwood (hW). In the present study, the wood of this species was separated to cambium (Cam), sapwood (sW), transition zone (TZ...

Epidermal peeling treatment (EPT) and steam-heating treatment (SHT) are two popular pretreatments for bamboo processing. This study examined the effects of EPT and SHT on strength properties, profile density distribution, internal bond strength (IB), rate of springback, nail withdrawal resistance, and dimensional stability of oriented bamboo scrimb...

Terpenoids are a large group of important secondary metabolites that are involved in a variety of physiological mechanisms, and many are used commercially in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. During the past decade, the topic of seasonal variation in terpenoid biosynthesis has garnered increasing attention. Formosan sweet gum (Liquidamba...

Antrodia cinnamomea, a precious and unique medical fungus existing exclusively in Taiwan, exhibits antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. This study was conducted to evaluate the beneficial effects of A. cinnamomea powder (ACP) and to further illuminate its underlying antioxidant and immunomodulation molecular mechanisms in broilers. The func...

Background Alpinia nantoensis (Zingiberaceae) is an aromatic plant endemic to Taiwan, which is used as food flavoring and traditional herbal medicine. The biological activities of compounds isolated from this plant are rarely investigated. Purpose The present study was aimed to investigate the anti-metastatic potential of trans-3-methoxy-5-hydroxy...

Taiwanofungus camphoratus is a unique medicinal mushroom endemic to Taiwan, and it is used as a folk medicine in East Asian countries. The aim of the present study was to investigate the immunomodulatory effects of “leader Antrodia cinnamomea capsule” (LAC), a health food product containing solid-state cultivated mycelial powder of T. camphoratus....

Two new sesquarterpenoids, i.e. ferrugicadinol A (1) and ferrugicryptomeridiol (3), and one known sesquarterpenoid, ferrugicadinol (2) were isolated from the bark of Cryptomeria japonica D. Don. Their structures were identified by extensive spectral analysis and comparison with the data of known analogues.

This book highlights the latest international research on different aspects of medicinal plants and fungi. Studies over the last decade have demonstrated that bioactive compounds isolated from medicinal fungi have promising antitumor, cardiovascular, immunomodulatory, anti-allergic, anti-diabetic, and hepatoprotective properties. In the light of th...

Antrodia cinnamomea is an extremely rare and endemic fungal species native to forested regions of Taiwan. In modern Taiwanese culture, A. cinnamomea is believed to be a valuable gift from the heaven. Thereby, it is claimed as the “National Treasure of Taiwan” and “Ruby” among mushrooms.” Traditionally, A. cinnamomea was used to prepare Chinese medi...

Five new flavonol acylglycosides, linderakosides A–E (1–5), together with 30 known compounds were isolated from the aerial part of Lindera akoensis Hayata. The structures were established using extensive spectroscopic analysis and comparison of NMR data with those of known compounds. The flavonol acylglycosides 1, 2, and 5 showed in vitro anti-infl...

After online publication of the paper, some errors were found in the abstract, The following changes should be made in the original publication of the paper.

Phytochemical investigation of the methanol extract of the bark of Cryptomeria japonica has led to the isolation of two new abietane-type diterpenoids, 7α-(2'-butoxyethoxy)deoxocryptojaponol (1) and 7β-(2'-butoxyethoxy)deoxocryptojaponol (2). Their structures were established by means of 1D and 2D NMR spectra and HR-EI-MS, as well as on comparison...

Two new compounds, derriscoumaronochromone (1) and cis-3,4′-dihydroxy- 5,7-dimethoxyflavan (2), as well as trans-4'-O-methylcatechin (3) were isolated from Derris laxiflora, The structures of these compounds were determined by analysis of their spectroscopic data.

A new flavone derivative, 7-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxy-6,8-dimethylflavone (1) and a new eudesmane derivative, eudesmane-4β,7α-diol (2), have been isolated from the aerial part of Lawsonia inermis, together with ten known compounds (3–12). The structures of two new compounds were determined through spectroscopic and MS analyses. All compounds were evalu...

In the present study, we investigated the effects of antrodin C (ADC), a maleimide derivative isolated from mycelia of Antrodia cinnamomea, on high glucose (HG, 30 mM)-accelerated endothelial dysfunction in vitro. HG-induced cytotoxicity in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was significantly ameliorated by ADC. In addition, treatment...

Epidermal peeling (EPT) and steam-heating (SHT) treatments are two widely processing methods in bamboo industry. Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens Mazel) and makino bamboo (Phyllostachys makinoi Hayata) are important economical bamboo species in Taiwan and China. The subject of this study was to access the changes of chemical and mechanical prop...

Three new benzenoid derivatives, lawsoinermone (1), inermidioic acid (2), and inermic acid (3) have been isolated from the aerial part of Lawsonia inermis, together with 11 known compounds (4-14). The structures of three new compounds were determined through spectroscopic and MS analyses. Compounds 1, 4-6, 13 and 14 were evaluated for inhibition of...

Three new abietane-type diterpenoids, 7α-butoxyabieta-8,12-diene-11,14-dione (1), 6α,7α-dihydroxyabieta-8,12-dien-11,14-dione (2), and 6α,7β-dihydroxyabieta- 8,12-diene-11,14-dione (3) were isolated from the bark of Cryptomeria japonica D. Don. Their structures were established by means of 1D and 2D NMR, IR, UV, and HR-EI-MS spectra and comparison...

Antodia cinnamomea, a precious brown-rot fungus endemic to Taiwan has pharmaceutical applications due to its diverse array of metabolites. The terpenoids found in A. cinnamomea contribute to its most important bioactivities. We identified several terpenoid compounds in A. cinnamomea and revealed that their content in mycelium and fruiting body were...