Emily Chin-Fun Chen

Anti-metastatic activity of biologically synthesized gold nanoparticles on human fibrosarcoma cell line HT-1080.

Plants are exploited as a potential source for the large-scale production of noble gold nanoparticles in the recent years owing to their various potential applications in nanobiotechnology and nanomedicine. The present work describes green biosynthetic procedures for the production of gold nanoparticles for the first time by using an aqueous extract of the Dysosma pleiantha rhizome. The biosynthesized gold nanoparticles were confirmed and characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy. The results revealed that aqueous extract of D. pleiantha rhizome has potential to reduce chloroauric ions into gold nanoparticles and the synthesized gold nanoparticles were showed spherical in shape with an average of 127nm. Further, we investigated the anti-metastatic activity of biosynthesized gold nanoparticles against human fibrosarcoma cancer cell line HT-1080. The results showed that the biosynthesized gold nanoparticles were non-toxic to cell proliferation and, also it can inhibit the chemo-attractant cell migration of human fibrosarcoma cancer cell line HT-1080 by interfering the actin polymerization pathway. Thus, the usage of gold nanoparticles biosynthesized from D. pleiantha rhizome can be used as a potential candidate in the drug and gene delivery to metastatic cancer.

Wild bitter gourd improves metabolic syndrome: A preliminary dietary supplementation trial

BackgroundBitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) is a common tropical vegetable that has been used in traditional or folk medicine to treat diabetes. Wild bitter gourd (WBG) ameliorated metabolic syndrome (MetS) in animal models. We aimed to preliminarily evaluate the effect of WBG supplementation on MetS in Taiwanese adults.MethodsA preliminary open-label uncontrolled supplementation trial was conducted in eligible fulfilled the diagnosis of MetS from May 2008 to April 2009. A total of 42 eligible (21 men and 21 women) with a mean age of 45.7 ± 11.4 years (23 to 63 years) were supplemented with 4.8 gram lyophilized WBG powder in capsules daily for three months and were checked for MetS at enrollment and follow-up monthly. After supplementation was ceased, the participants were continually checked for MetS monthly over an additional three-month period. MetS incidence rate were analyzed using repeated-measures generalized linear mixed models according to the intention-to-treat principle.ResultsAfter adjusting for sex and age, the MetS incidence rate (standard error, p value) decreased by 7.1% (3.7%, 0.920), 9.5% (4.3%, 0.451), 19.0% (5.7%, 0.021), 16.7% (5.4%, 0.047), 11.9% (4.7%, 0.229) and 11.9% (4.7%, 0.229) at visit 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 compared to that at baseline (visit 1), respectively. The decrease in incidence rate was highest at the end of the three-month supplementation period and it was significantly different from that at baseline (p = 0.021). The difference remained significant at end of the 4th month (one month after the cessation of supplementation) (p = 0.047) but the effect diminished at the 5th and 6th months after baseline. The waist circumference also significantly decreased after the supplementation (p < 0.05). The WBG supplementation was generally well-tolerated.ConclusionThis is the first report to show that WBG improved MetS in human which provides a firm base for further randomized controlled trials to evaluate the efficacy of WBG supplementation.

Development of an activation tagging system for the basidiomycetous medicinal fungus Antrodia cinnamomea.

This study describes the development of an efficient and reliable activation tagging system for the medicinal fungus Antrodia cinnamomea. For successful Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation, different parameters were considered. The Agrobacterium concentration of 5 x 10(8) cfu ml(-1), 1mm acetosyringone, 25-d-old mycelia at 0.2 g ml(-1), and co-culture period of 6d were found to be the most optimal conditions for enhancing the transformation efficiency. The mitotic stability of transferred DNA (T-DNA) was demonstrated by growing eight randomly selected putative transformants in malt extract agar medium for five subcultures. Insertion of T-DNA into the genome of transformants was confirmed by PCR and Southern hybridization. Results showed that 88% of the mutants contained a single T-DNA insertion. Two of the mutants were observed with different triterpenoid profiles compared with the untransformed cultures. Our results suggest a new functional genomics approach to tag the triterpenoid biosynthesis genes in A. cinnamomea.

Activation tagging in Salvia miltiorrhiza can cause increased leaf size and accumulation of tanshinone I and IIA in its roots

BackgroundSalvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Danshen), an important herb in traditional Chinese medicine, is commonly used for treatment of cardiovascular diseases. One of the major bioactive constituents of Danshen, diterpenoid tanshinone, has been proved with pharmacological properties and have the potential to be a new drug candidate against various diseases. In our previous study, we have established an activation tagging mutagenesis (ATM) population of callus lines of S. miltiorrhiza Bunge by Agrobacterium- mediated transformation.ResultsIn the present study, we have identified ATM transgenic Salvia plant (SH41) with different leaf morphology and more tanshinones in its roots. The transgenic background of SH41 was identified by PCR (using hpt II primers) and Southern blots. PCR analysis showed a single band of hpt II gene and Southern blot analysis showed single insertion in SH41. External appearance of ATM transgenic SH41 was observed with broader leaves comparing to non-transformed plants. More healthy trichomes as well as bigger and wobbly guard cells and stomata were observed in SH41 by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Quantitative analysis of active compounds in SH41 roots revealed a significant increase in tanshinone I (3.7 fold) and tanshinone IIA (2 fold) contents as compared to the wild plant.ConclusionsWe have generated an activation tagged transgenic Salvia plant (SH41) with different leaf morphology and high diterpenes content in its roots. The increased amount of tanshinones in SH41 will definitely offer a route for maximizing the benefits of this plant in traditional Chinese herbal medicines. The present report may also facilitate the application of ATM for genetic manipulation of other medicinal crops and subsequent improved metabolite contents.

In Vitro Propagation and Approaches for Metabolites Production in Medicinal Plants

Abstract There has been a renewed interest in the use of herbal medicines throughout the world due to toxicities and health hazards associated with synthetic drugs and antibiotics. The World Health Organization estimates that up to 80% of people still rely mainly on traditional remedies such as herbs for their medicine, resulting in the increasing demand for medicinal plants. About 85% of traditional medicines involve the use of plant extracts. However, a large number of medicinal plants are needed to be investigated for their possible pharmaceutical value. Many pharmaceutical industries harness wildly growing plant populations for the supply of raw materials for extraction of medicinally important compounds. Many of the medicinal plants are severely threatened owing to illicit and indiscriminate collection and destruction of natural habitat. Advanced biotechnological methods of culturing plant cells and tissue provide an alternative means for rapid propagation and conservation of rare and endangered and/or commercially important medicinal plants. This chapter reviews the work carried out by our group in Taiwan on in vitro propagation of Pinellia ternata , Momordica charantia , Gentiana scabra var Bunge and Taraxacum formosanum and production of secondary metabolites from the callus of Stephania tetrandra , hairy root of Salvia miltiorrhiza and cell suspension culture of Gentiana davidii and Dioscorea doryophora .

Comparative analysis among three Taiwan-specific Gentiana species and Chinese medicinal plant Gentiana scabra

BackgroundThe root of Gentiana scabra is commonly known as Longdan in Chinese herbal medicines and has been used in the treatment of inflammation, anorexia, indigestion and gastric infections for over 2000 years. High market demand had made G. scabra (GS) plants not to be the only source of Longdan in China, other Gentiana spp., G. triflora, G. manshurica and G. rigescens, were also recognized as Longdan in China now.ResultsIn this study, we identified three Taiwan-specific Gentiana spp., G. davidii var. formosana (GDF) and G. arisanensis (GA) and G. scabrida var. punctulata (GSP) that are phylogenetically different from GS (main source of Longdan). However, the active compounds of Longdan, gentiopicroside and swertiamari, were found in GSP and GDF showed higher antioxidant ability and free radical scavenging activities than Chinese Longdan. This discovery might explore the medicinal potential of GDF. Meanwhile, another Taiwan-specific Gentiana spp., GSP, was found to have the strongest antioxidant ability and free radical scavenging activities which might suggest a possible use of GSP as a source of natural antioxidant agents for industrial purpose.ConclusionsThe finding of this study indicated that ITS analysis can be used to identify Taiwan-specific Gentiana spp. Also the Taiwan-specific Gentiana spp. which has strongest antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities among others could be a better choice for industrial purpose.

Biotechnology of Medicinal Plants and Fungi in Taiwan: Production of Bioactive Secondary Metabolites in In Vitro Culture Systems

Plants and fungi provide a vast range of natural products including pharmaceuticals with diverse chemical structures and a broad array of biological activities. In the past few decades, there has been a worldwide resurgence of interest in the study and use of medicinal plants and fungi in the health-care system. Several medicinal plants and fungi are involved in the industrial processing of profitable products used in human medicines. However, due to severe constraints on the availability of desired plant and fungus materials, different strategies, including tissue culture, have been extensively studied. The present chapter focuses on the application of various in vitro culture systems in the production of bioactive secondary metabolites in medicinal herbs and fungi in Taiwan. All the species described in this article are sources of traditional Chinese medicines. The review article includes the research work carried out in our laboratory on the production of plant secondary metabolites in callus cultures of Saussurea involucrata, Solanum melongena, and Salvia miltiorrhiza and in cell suspension cultures of Taxus mairei, Gnetiana davidii var. formosana, and Angelica dahurica var. formosana. Also, plant metabolites were obtained from in vitro shoots of Glossogyne tenuifolia, Saussurea involucrata, and Polygonum multiflorum, aerial parts of Scrophularia yoshimurae, tubers of Corydalis yanhusuo, tissue culture plants, and hairy roots of Gentiana scabra. Also, we could achieve the production of terpenoids in Antrodia cinnamomea, a medicinal fungus, and tanshinones in Salvia miltiorrhiza using T-DNA activation-tagging technique (Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation).

Biotechnology of Medicinal Plants in Taiwan: Studies on In Vitro Propagation and Influence of Ventilation Closures on Hyperhydricity in Cultures

Medicinal plants have played a significant role in maintaining human health and improving the quality of life for thousands of years. In the past few decades, there has been an exponential rise in demand for herbal medicines, which in turn has resulted in an overexploitation and dwindling supply of medicinal plants in the wild. Therefore, it is imperative to explore all possible modes of plant propagation and large-scale cultivation. Taiwan is the home of many highly valued medicinal herbs used in the traditional Chinese medicines. In our laboratories, for more than two decades, tissue culture techniques have been used successfully for the propagation of several medicinally important plant species. The present article reviews the studies carried out on in vitro propagation of selected medicinal plants in Taiwan (Glossogyne tenuifolia, Saussurea involucrata, Gentiana scabra, and Drynaria fortunei). The article also includes the studies on induction of somatic embryogenesis in medicinal herb Peucedanum japonicum and influence of different ventilation closures on hyperhydricity (vitrification) in cultures of Scrophularia yoshimurae, Bupleurum kaoi, Gentiana scabra, and Glossogyne tenuifolia.