Publications by authors named "Kai-Hsien Chen"

Functional constituents in the leaves of plants contain antidepressant and antianxiety effects which are beneficial to human health and fitness. The objective of this study was to investigate leaf growth, physiological parameters, and secondary metabolite contents of Tainung No. 1 variety (.

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Antrodia cinnamomea, an endemic fungus species of Taiwan, has long been used as a luxurious dietary supplement to enhance liver functions and as a remedy for various cancers. Antroquinonol (AQ), identified from the mycelium of A. cinnamomea, is currently in phase II clinical trials in the USA and Taiwan for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer.

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Antroquinonol (AQ) and 4-acetylantroquinonol B (4-AAQB), isolated from the mycelium of Antrodia cinnamomea, have a similar chemical backbone to coenzyme Q (CoQ). Based on the postulation that biosynthesis of both AQ and 4-AAQB in A. cinnamomea starts from the polyketide pathway, we cultivated this fungus in a culture medium containing [U-C]oleic acid, and then we analyzed the crude extracts of the mycelium using UHPLC-MS.

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The antiproliferation activity of the ethanol extract of A. cinnamomea mycelium on hepatocellular cancer cells HepG2 was found to be associated with aroma intensity of the broth during fermentation. We hypothesized that some of the volatile compounds are the precursors of the key bioactive component 4-acetylantroquinonol B of this fungus.

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Traditional or folk medicinal herbs continue to be prescribed in the treatment of various diseases and conditions in many cultures. Recent scientific efforts have focused on the potential roles of extracts of traditional herbs as alternative and complementary medications for cancer treatment. In Taiwan, Davallia divaricata Blume has been traditionally employed in folk medicine for therapy of lung cancer, davallic acid being the major active compound of D.

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