<Research Interests>
Ａ.Studies on the vascular diseases and new drug development
Our major research interest is on the disturbances of lipid and lipoprotein metabolism in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease (CHD). We are interested in the development of bioassays, which are based on the key events in early atherogenesis, to search for potential lead compounds from chemical library, herbs, and herbal regimens on blood stasis (disorder related to atherosclerosis). The purpose is to develop molecular, cellular and animal models that may represent atherogenesis in its reversible stage, for drug development. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) accelerates atherosclerosis and CHD. We are also searching for potential routes and lead compounds that may inhibit type 2 DM-accelerated atherogenesis.

B. Studies on Alzheimer's disease
The deposition of apolipoprotein E (apoE) and beta- amyloid peptide (Aβ), forming neurofibrillary tangle and senile plaque in the brain, is the hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We are looking for potential routes to interrupt early aggregation/ deposition of Aβ and apoE that may trigger inflammation and oxidative damages to the brain neurons. Ginkgo biloba is the only herbal medicine that is clinically demonstrated to be effective to some extent in the treatment of AD. We intend to develop a new botanical drug superior than Ginkgo biloba based on the recent advances in the molecular pathogenesis of this neurodegenerative disease.

C. Studies on medicinal fungi
In the past twenty years, this laboratory also has devoted to the pharmacological studies of two medicinal fungi, namely Ganoderma lucidum and Cordyceps sinensis. The purpose is to develop the active ingredients from these two medicinal fungi as adjuvant therapy for several particular human diseases, such as human hepatoma. This laboratory is a member of the consortium (VGH-Taipei National Yang Ming University, National Taiwan University, and NHRI) on the Functional Genomic Studies of Ganoderma.

<Selected Recent Publications>
1. Wu YJ, Hong CY, Lin SJ, Wu P, Shiao MS. Increase of vitamin E content in low density lipoprotein and reduction of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits by a water-soluble antioxidant-rich fraction of Salvia miltiorrhiza. Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., 18, 481-486, 1998
2. Su CY, Shiao MS Wang CT. Differential effects of ganodermic acid S on the thromboxane A2-signaling pathways in human platelets. Biochem. Pharm., Biochem. Pharm., 58, 587-595, 1999
3. Lee TS, Shiao MS, Pan CC, Chao LY. Iron-deficient diet reduces atherosclerotic lesions in apoE-deficient mice. Circulation, 99, 1222-1229, 1999
4. Su CY, Shiao MS Wang CT. Potentiation of ganodermic aid S on prostaglandin E1-induced cyclic AMP elevation in human platelets. Thrombosis Res., 99, 135-145, 2000
5. Wang SY Shiao MS. Pharmacological functions of Chinese medicinal fungus Cordyceps sinensis and related species. J. Food & Drug Anal., 8, 248-257, 2000
6. Hung HH, Chen YL, Lin SJ, Yang SP, Shih CC, Shiao MS, Chang CH. A salvianolic acid B-rich fraction of Salvia miltiorrhiza induces neointimal cell apoptosis in rabbit angioplasty model. Histol. Histopathol., 16, 175-183, 2001
7. Chen YJ, Shiao MS, Hsu ML, Tsai TH, Wang SY. The effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester, an antioxidant from propolis, on inducing apoptosis in human leukemic HL-60 cels. J. Agric. Biol. Chem., 49, 5616-5619. 2001
8. Shiao MS, Wu YJ, Lin E, Kuo WJ, Chang BW. Antioxidants and antiatherosclerotic effects of Chinese medicinal herb Salvia miltiorrhiza. in Free Radicals in Foods, Chemistry, Nutrition, and Health Effects, pp 310-328, 2002, American Chemical Society, Washington, DC.