Rapid identification and detection of aristolochic acids in the herbal extracts by Raman spectroscopy.

Herbs containing aristolochic acids (AAs) have already been proven to be highly carcinogenic and nephrotoxic. In this study, a novel surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) identification method was developed. Ag-APS nanoparticles with a particle size of 3.

Antcins from and Inhibit Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) in Epithelial Cells: Can Be Potential Candidates for the Development of SARS-CoV-2 Prophylactic Agents.

Antcins are newly identified steroid-like compounds from Taiwan's endemic medicinal mushrooms and . 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 coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and is characterized as a significant threat to global public health.

Tetrandrine inhibits cell migration and invasion in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma NPC-TW 039 cells through inhibiting MAPK and RhoA signaling pathways.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of tetrandrine (TET) on cell migration and invasion of nasopharyngeal carcinoma NPC-TW 039 cells in vitro. TET at 1-10 μM did not change cell morphology and also did not decrease the total cell viability and proliferation in NPC-TW 039 cells. It decreased the cell mobility based on decreased wound closure in NPC-TW 039 cells by wound healing assay.

Effects of Acupressure on Symptoms Relief and Improving Sleep Quality in Pediatric Patients With Allergic Rhinitis.

Current pharmacological management of allergic rhinitis cannot completely provide relief from the symptoms and is usually accompanied by undesirable side effects. Complementary and alternative medicine approach has been evaluated and applied for allergic rhinitis frequently. We aim to investigate whether acupressure could be used as daily nursing care practice to reduce the severity of allergic rhinitis symptoms and improve sleep quality in pediatric patients with allergic rhinitis.

The Regulatory Effects of a Formulation of Kaneh and on Metabolic Syndrome and the Gut Microbiome.

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. Kaneh (CO) and (TC) are endemic to Taiwan.

Antcin-A Modulates Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Inhibits Migratory and Invasive Potentials of Human Breast Cancer Cells via p53-Mediated miR-200c Activation.

Antcin-A (ATA) is a steroid-like phytochemical isolated from the fruiting bodies of a precious edible mushroom . 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 modulation of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), anti-migration, and anti-invasive potential of ATA against human breast cancer cells .

Amentoflavone Effectively Blocked the Tumor Progression of Glioblastoma via Suppression of ERK/NF- B Signaling Pathway.

Glioblastoma is the most common primary malignant tumor of the central nervous system, with an annual incidence of 5.26 per 100000 people. The clinical outcome of standard therapy and the survival rate remain poor; therefore, there is an unmet need for a new strategy to treat this lethal disease.

Fisetin Suppresses Human Osteosarcoma U-2 OS Cell Migration and Invasion Affecting FAK, uPA and NF-ĸB Signaling Pathway .

Background/aim: Evidence has indicated that fisetin induces cytotoxic effects in human cancer cell lines, including the inhibition of cell migration and invasion, however, the exact molecular mechanism of action of fisetin in human osteosarcoma cells remains unclear.

Materials And Methods: The anti-metastatic mechanisms of fisetin in human osteosarcoma U-2 OS cells were investigated in vitro.

Results: Fisetin reduced the viability of cells at different concentrations (2.

MicroRNA-708 activation by glucocorticoid receptor agonists regulate breast cancer tumorigenesis and metastasis via downregulation of NF-κB signaling.

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-708 and its downstream target genes in human breast cancer cells (BCCs) are poorly understood.

Genistein induces apoptosis in vitro and has antitumor activity against human leukemia HL-60 cancer cell xenograft growth in vivo.

Genistein, a major isoflavone compound in soybeans, has been shown to have biological activities including anti-cancer activates. In the present, we investigated the anti-leukemia activity of genistein on HL-60 cells in vitro. The percentage of viable cell, cell cycle distribution, apoptotic cell death, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and Ca production and the level of ΔΨ were measured by flow cytometric assay.

Maslinic Acid Enhances Immune Responses in Leukemic Mice Through Macrophage Phagocytosis and Natural Killer Cell Activities .

Background/aim: Maslinic acid (MA), a pentacyclic triterpene extracted from wax-like coatings of olives, has been shown to reduce cancer cell number through induction of autophagy and apoptosis in many human cancer cells including human leukemia HL-60 cells. In the present study, we investigated whether or not MA affects immune responses in a leukemia mouse model.

Materials And Methods: WEHI-3 cells were intraperitonealIy (i.

Immunomodulatory Effects of the Stout Camphor Medicinal Mushroom, Taiwanofungus camphoratus (Agaricomycetes)-Based Health Food Product in Mice.

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.

Effects of on non-specific and specific immune activities in mice.

is a precious medicinal fungus endemic to Taiwan and has been used as traditional medicine for a long time. Many pharmacological studies have revealed that possessed various biological activities, such as immunomodulatory effects, anticancer activity and liver protective function. The aim of this study is to investigate the non-specific and antigen (ovalbumin [OVA])-specific immunomodulation effects of solid-state cultivated powder of (Leader [LAC]) in BABL/c male mice.

Benzyl isothiocyanate inhibits human brain glioblastoma multiforme GBM 8401 cell xenograft tumor in nude mice in vivo.

Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC), a member of isothiocyanates (ITCs), has been shown to induce cell death in many human cancer cells, but there is no further report to show BITC suppresses glioblastoma multiforme cells in vivo. In the present study, we investigate the effects of BITC on the inhibition of GBM 8401/luc2 cell generated tumor on athymic nude mice. We established a luciferase expressing stable clone named as GBM 8401/luc2.

Demethoxycurcumin Suppresses Migration and Invasion of Human Cervical Cancer HeLa Cells Inhibition of NF-κB Pathways.

Background/aim: Demethoxycurcumin (DMC), one of the curcuminoids present in turmeric, has been shown to induce cell death in many human cancer cell lines, however, there has not been any investigation on whether DMC inhibits metastatic activity in human cervical cancer cells in vitro. In the present study, DMC at 2.5-15 μM decreased cell number, thus, we used IC (7.

Phenethyl Isothiocyanate (PEITC) and Benzyl Isothiocyanate (BITC) Inhibit Human Melanoma A375.S2 Cell Migration and Invasion by Affecting MAPK Signaling Pathway .

Background/aim: Numerous evidence has shown that PEITC and BITC inhibit cancer cell migration and invasion. In this study, we investigated the anti-metastatic mechanisms of PEITC and BITC in human melanoma cancer A375.S2 cells in vitro.

A steroid like phytochemical Antcin M is an anti-aging reagent that eliminates hyperglycemia-accelerated premature senescence in dermal fibroblasts by direct activation of Nrf2 and SIRT-1.

The present study revealed the anti-aging properties of antcin M (ANM) and elucidated the molecular mechanism underlying the effects. We found that exposure of human normal dermal fibroblasts (HNDFs) to high-glucose (HG, 30 mM) for 3 days, accelerated G0/G1 phase arrest and senescence. Indeed, co-treatment with ANM (10 µM) significantly attenuated HG-induced growth arrest and promoted cell proliferation.

Genotoxic, teratotoxic and oral toxic assessments of health food product (Leader Deluxe ).

is a rare and endemic medicinal mushroom native to Taiwan. The pharmacological effects of have been extensively studied. The aim of the present study was to assess the genotoxic, oral toxic and teratotoxic effects of health food product ⿿Leader Deluxe (LDAC)⿿⿿ using in vitro and tests.

2,3,5-Trimethoxy-4-cresol, an anti-metastatic constituent from the solid-state cultured mycelium of Antrodia cinnamomea and its mechanism.

Antrodia cinnamomea is a valuable and unique edible fungus originating from the forests of Taiwan. In this study, an anti-metastatic compound, 2,3,5-trimethoxy-4-cresol (TMC), was isolated from the solid-state cultured mycelium of A. cinnamomea.

Crude extract of Rheum palmatum L. Induces cell cycle arrest S phase and apoptosis through mitochondrial-dependent pathways in U-2 OS human osteosarcoma cells.

Cancer is the second cause of death in children. Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignancy of solid bone cancer primarily affecting adolescents and young adults. In the Chinese population, the crude extract of Rheum palmatum L.

Antcin C from Antrodia cinnamomea Protects Liver Cells Against Free Radical-Induced Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis In Vitro and In Vivo through Nrf2-Dependent Mechanism.

In this study, we investigated the cytoprotective effects of antcin C, a steroid-like compound isolated from Antrodia cinnamaomea against AAPH-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in human hepatic HepG2 cells. Pretreatment with antcin C significantly protects hepatic cells from AAPH-induced cell death through the inhibition of ROS generation. Furthermore, AAPH-induced lipid peroxidation, ALT/AST secretion and GSH depletion was significantly inhibited by antcin C.

Wogonin, a natural and biologically-active flavonoid, influences a murine WEHI-3 leukemia model in vivo through enhancing populations of T- and B-cells.

Wogonin, a natural and biologically-active flavonoid found in plants, has been reported to exhibit anticancer effects on several cancer cell types. However, there is no available information regarding the responses to wogonin in leukemia mouse models. At concentrations of 10-200 μM, wogonin reduced the percentage of viable WEHI-3 cells in a concentration-dependent manner.

Establishment of the metabolite profile for an Antrodia cinnamomea health food product and investigation of its chemoprevention activity.

Antrodia cinnamomea is an edible fungus endemic to Taiwan that has been attributed with health promotion benefits. An A. cinnamomea mycelium health food product, which was produced by solid-state culture, was selected as the target for investigation in this study.

Synthesis and evaluation of a new phosphorylated ribavirin prodrug.

Ribavirin is an important broad-spectrum antiviral drug. However, its utilization can be limited by its potential to cause hemolytic anemia as well as its variability in dosing levels and efficacy outcomes. To overcome these issues, we report on a new alkoxyalkylphosphodiester prodrug of ribavirin (2) that is designed to release the active ribavirin-monophosphate species selectively in nucleated cells while limiting its exposure in anucleated red blood cells (RBCs).

Apigenin induces apoptosis through mitochondrial dysfunction in U-2 OS human osteosarcoma cells and inhibits osteosarcoma xenograft tumor growth in vivo.

The cytostatic drug from natural products has acted as a chemotherapeutic agent used in treatment of a wide variety of cancers. Apigenin, a type of flavonoid, exhibits anticancer actions, but there is no report to show that apigenin induced apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of apigenin on U-2 OS human osteosarcoma cells and clarify that the apigenin-induced apoptosis-associated signals.