Prof YU Zhiling

Prof. Yu received his undergraduate education at the Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and obtained his PhD degree in biochemistry from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Before joining the Hong Kong Baptist University, Prof. Yu once worked at China Pharmaceutical University, Nagasaki University, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Xiamen University and University of Macau. Prof. Yu is known for his research in herbal pharmacology, and in processing of Chinese medicinal materials. He has published more than 200 peer-reviewed research papers.

Consun Pharmaceutical Group Limited and Laboratory JaneClare Limited in collaboration with Prof. Yu's team established "Consun Chinese Medicines Research Centre for Renal Diseases" and "JaneClare Transdermal TCM Therapy Laboratory", respectively, in Hong Kong Baptist University.

Prof. Yu serves as Editorial Board Member/Associate Editor/Executive Editor/ Consulting Editor for more than 30 journals, e.g.  LiShizhen Medicine and Materia Medica Research, BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, Current Topics in Nutraceutical Research, Journal of Alternative, Complementary & Integrative Medicine, Pharmacological Research.

Current research interests : 1) Pharmacology of Chinese medicines, focusing on the mechanisms of action of anticancer, anti-inflammation and melanogenesis-modulation herbs; 2) Unique processing of Chinese medicinal herbs, focusing on the mechanisms underlying processing of Chinese medicines, standardization of adjuvant materials for the processing of Chinese medicinal herbs, and quality control of decoction pieces.

Representative research projects

1. Does atractylenolide I synergize the anti-melanoma effects of MK-8776 by inhibiting cyclin-dependent kinase 2 signaling? GRF, ongoing.
2. Dose parthenolide overcome vemurafenib resistance by inhibiting heat shock protein 90 in melanoma? GRF, ongoing.
3. Elucidating the role of TLR4/STAT3 signaling in the antimelanoma effects of atractylenolide II. GRF.
4. Evaluation of the anti-melanoma action of sesquiterpenes isolated from a traditional Chinese medicinal herb Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma. GRF.
5. Regulation of microRNA biogenesis by BRAF/MEK targeted therapy: molecular mechanisms and role in drug resistance. HMRF, ongoing.
6. Elucidating the involvement of IL-17-IL-6-STAT3 axis in the anti-melanoma effects of a herbal formula comprising Flos Sophorae and Flos Lonicerae. HMRF.
7. Evaluation of the chronic toxicity of a commonly used Chinese medicinal herb Siegesbeckiae Herba. HMRF.
8. Research and development of functional foods based on Ganoderma cultivated in Hong Kong. ITF, to be commenced on Sep.1, 2020.
9. Preclinical study of the category I anti-tumor new drug EN-002 inhibiting the novel targets – DNA replication initiation proteins. ITF.
10. Research on the Second Development of Yi-Shen-Hua-Shi Granules. ITF.
11. Study on the pharmacological effects and mechanism of action of Young Yum Pill. ITF.
12. Study on the Preparation, Safety and Efficacy in Liver Cancer Prevention/Treatment of the Triterpene-enriched Extract from Antrodia Camphorate Mycelia. ITF.
13. Study on the Processing Standards for Toxic Chinese Materia Medica. ITF.
14. Standardization of the Vinegar for Processing Chinese Materia Medica. ITF.
15. Pharmacological Studies for Developing Qian-wang-hong-bai-san as a Modern Therapeutic Agent against Skin Hyperpigmentary Disorders. ITF.
16. Platform Development for Quality Control Standards of Processed Chinese Materia Medica (Decoction Pieces) in the Hong Kong Market. 3,219,324 HKD (Including Interns and industry support). ITF.
17. Research and Laboratory Work-Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards (HKCMMS) Phase VIII. Department of Health.
18. Research and Laboratory Work-Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards (HKCMMS) Phase VII. Department of Health.
19. Establishment of a Research & Development Laboratory for Testing of Chinese Medicines. Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.
20. The Role of Noc3p Dimerization in Eukaryotic DNA Replication. HKBU, ongoing.
21. 基於miR-34b/MET/β-catenin 通路探討四君子湯與達卡吧嗪合用抗黑色素瘤的機制. NSFC, ongoing.
22. 基於let-7/IGF1R探索槐花金銀酒抗 黑色素瘤的機制. NSFC, ongoing.
23. miR-34b在四君子湯抑制黑色素瘤生長中的作用研究. GDNSF.
24. 靶向TLR4信號通路的抗類風濕性關節炎中藥研究. 深圳市學科佈局項目.
25. 基於JNK2信號通路研究豨薟草的長期肺毒性機制. 深圳市自由探索項目, ongoing.
26. 白蘞抗結直腸癌的分子機制研究. 深圳市自由探索項目.
27. 二花營實方的抗炎活性及其分子機制研究. 深圳市自由探索項目.
28. 粵港毒性中藥飲片炮製規範化研究. 廣州市對外科技合作計畫項目.
29. 嶺南中藥材品質標準及標準物質示範性研究.粵港聯合項目.

• Fu XQ, et al., Yu ZL*. Activation of STAT3 is a key event in TLR4 signaling-mediated melanoma progression. Cell Death Dis. 2020;11(4):246.
• Amin A, et al., Yu ZL*, Liang C*. An Essential and Cell-Cycle-Dependent ORC Dimerization Cycle Regulates Eukaryotic Chromosomal DNA Replication. Cell Rep. 2020;30(10):3323-3338.e6.
• Chen YJ, et al., Yu ZL*. A two-herb formula inhibits osteoclastogenesis and suppresses NF-kB and MAPK pathways. J Ethnopharmacol. 2020;252:112625.
• Wu JY, et al., Yu ZL*. Chrysoeriol ameliorates TPA-induced acute skin inflammation in mice and inhibits NF-κB and STAT3 pathways. Phytomedicine. 2020;68:153173.
• Su T, et al., Yu ZL*. The JAK2/STAT3 pathway is involved in the anti-melanoma effects of brevilin A. Life Sci. 2020;241:117169.
• Chen YJ, et al., Yu ZL*. Ribosome-Inactivating Protein α-Momorcharin Derived from Edible Plant Momordica charantia Induces Inflammatory Responses by Activating the NF-kappaB and JNK Pathways. Toxins (Basel). 2019;11(12). pii: E694.
• Liu YX, et al., Yu ZL*. MiR-let-7a/f-CCR7 signaling is involved in the anti-metastatic effects of an herbal formula comprising Sophorae Flos and Lonicerae Japonicae Flos in melanoma. Phytomedicine. 2019;64:153084.
• Zhu P, et al., Yu ZL*. Arnicolide D exerts anti-melanoma effects and inhibits the NF-κB pathway. Phytomedicine. 2019;64:153065.
• Zhao J, et al., Yu ZL*. A patent herbal drug Yi-Shen-Hua-Shi granule ameliorates C-BSA-induced chronic glomerulonephritis and inhabits TGFβ signaling in rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2019;236:258-262.
• Liu JS, et al., Yu ZL*. Aloperine induces apoptosis and G2/M cell cycle arrest in hepatocellular carcinoma cells through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Phytomedicine. 2019;61:152843.
• Liu JS, et al., Yu ZL*. Anti-tumor effects and 3D-quantitative structure-activity relationship analysis of bufadienolides from toad venom. Fitoterapia. 2019;134:362-371.
• Liu YX, et al., Yu ZL*. A TCM formula comprising Sophorae Flos and Lonicerae Japonicae Flos alters compositions of immune cells and molecules of the STAT3 pathway in melanoma microenvironment. Pharmacol Res. 2019;142:115-126.
• Chen J, et al., Yu ZL*. Sea bass (Lateolabrax maculatus) accelerates wound healing: A transition from inflammation to proliferation. J Ethnopharmacol. 2019;236:263-276.
• Chen J, et al., Yu ZL*, Xu B*. Dietary Supplementation with Sea Bass (Lateolabrax maculatus) Ameliorates Ulcerative Colitis and Inflammation in Macrophages through Inhibiting Toll-Like Receptor 4-Linked Pathways. Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(12). pii: E2907.
• Zhu PL, et al., Yu ZL*. Antrodia camphorata Mycelia Exert Anti-liver Cancer Effects and Inhibit STAT3 Signaling in vitro and in vivo. Front Pharmacol. 2018;9:1449.
• Chen L, et al., Yu ZL*, Cao H, Xiao J*. Intracellular signaling pathways of inflammation modulated by dietary flavonoids: The most recent evidence. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2018;58(17):2908-2924.
• Zhu PL, et al., Yu ZL*. Schisandra fruits for the management of drug-induced liver injury in China: A review. Phytomedicine. 2019;59:152760.
• Tse AKW*, et al., Yu ZL*. Sensitization of melanoma cells to alkylating agent-induced DNA damage and cell death via orchestrating oxidative stress and IKKβ inhibition. Redox Biol. 2017; 11:562-576.
• Kwan HY*, et al., Yu ZL*. The anti-cancer and anti-obesity effects of Mediterranean diet. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2017; 57(1):82-94.
• Cao  HH, et al., Yu ZL*. Quercetin inhibits HGF/c-Met signaling and HGF-stimulated melanoma cell migration and invasion. Mol Cancer. 2015; 14:103. doi: 10.1186/s12943-015-0367-4.
• Kwan HY*, et al., Yu ZL*. Dietary Lipids and Adipocytes: Potential Therapeutic Targets in Cancers. J Nutr Biochem. 2015; 26:303-11.
• Pan SY, et al., Yu ZL*, Ko KM. New perspectives on dietary-derived treatments and food safety ― Antinomy in a new era. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2015; 55(13):1836-59.
• Tse AW, et al., Yu ZL*. Indomethacin Sensitizes TRAIL-Resistant Melanoma cells to TRAIL-induced Apoptosis through ROS-mediated Up-regulation of Death Receptor 5 and Down-regulation of Survivin. J Invest Dermatol. 2014; 134:1397-407.
• Kwan HY*, et al., Yu ZL*. Subcutaneous adipocytes promote melanoma cell growth by activating Akt signaling pathway: role of palmitic acid. J Biol Chem. 2014; 289:30525-37.
• Cao HH, et al., Yu ZL*. Quercetin exerts anti-melanoma activities and inhibits STAT3 signaling. Biochem Pharmacol. 2014; 87:424-34.
• Tse AK, et al., Yu ZL*. The Herbal Compound Cryptotanshinone Restores Sensitivity in Cancer Cells that are Resistant to the Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand. J Biol Chem. 2013; 288:29923-33.
• Ma XQ, et al., Yu ZL*. UHPLC UHD Q-TOF MS/MS analysis of the impact of sulfur fumigation on the chemical profile of Codonopsis Radix (Dangshen). Analyst. 2013; 139:505-16.
• Kwan HY, et al., Yu ZL*, Fong WF*. Lipidomics identification of metabolic biomarkers in chemically induced hypertriglyceridemic mice. J Proteome Res. 2013; 12:1387-98.
• Tan Y, et al., Yu ZL*, Zhang W, Lu A. Deciphering the Differential Toxic Responses of Radix aconiti lateralis praeparata in Healthy and Hydrocortisone-Pretreated Rats Based on Serum Metabolic Profiles. J Proteome Res. 2013; 12:513-24.
• Kwan HY, et al., Yu ZL*, Hsiao WL*. The anticancer effect of oridonin is mediated by fatty acid synthase suppression in human colorectal cancer cells. J Gastroenterol. 2013; 48:182-92.
• Huo L, et al., Yu ZL*, Zhai Y, Yang X, Chan TC, Yeung JT, Kan J, Liang C. The Rix1 (Ipi1p-2p-3p) complex is a critical determinant of DNA replication licensing independent of their roles in ribosome biogenesis. Cell Cycle. 2012; 11: 1325-39.
• Yu ZL*. Mushroom and Health. Curr Top Nutraceutical Res. 2012; 10:V-VI.
• Ye Y, et al., Yu ZL*. Involvement of p38 MAPK signaling pathway in the anti-melanogenic effect of San-bai-tang, a Chinese herbal formula, in B16 cells. J Ethnopharmacol. 2010; 132:533-5..
• Ye Y, Chou GX*, et al., Yu ZL*. Screening of Chinese herbal medicines for antityrosinase activity in a cell free system and B16 cells. J Ethnopharmacol. 2010; 129:387-90.