Molecular Pharmacology Laboratory of Chinese Medicine

There has been an increasing interest worldwide in the use of herbal medicines in chronic liver injury. Systematic studies on the effect of specific traditional Chinese medicinal herbs on hepatic fibrosis and steatohepatitis are designed to obtain evidence-based scientific knowledge on appropriate use of traditional medicinal decoction. In our lab we have established in vivo hepatic fibrosis/steatohepatitis system in mouse models to carry out both the mechanistic and therapeutic studies. We have successfully demonstrated the use of these systems for evaluating the antioxidant properties of Yin-Chen-Hao-Tang. Currently, studies are in progress to elucidate the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory/immuno-modulating effects of herbal medicines or certain phytocompounds. Our goal is to develop therapeutic approaches to effectively prevent and treat these diseases.