CHEN, Jihang

Presidential Young Fellow

Assistant Professor

Education Background

Ph.D in Biochemistry (Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)

Research Field
Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activity of Herbal Medicine and Natural Products
Email
chenjihang@cuhk.edu.cn
Biography

Dr. Chen’s research focuses on phytochemistry and pharmacological activity of Chinese herbal medicine, particularly in discovering the mechanisms underlying the effects of Chinese Yang-tonic herbs on energy metabolism. Prior to joining CUHK-Shenzhen, Dr. Jihang Chen earned his Ph.D in biochemistry from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) in 2014. After graduation, he worked as a postdoctoral fellow in the Division of Life Science of HKUST. Since 2016, he also serves as a part-time Research Assistant Professor in HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute. He has also engaged in several commercial herbal products R&D projects. He is currently the principle investigator on an on-going research grant supported by NSFC for Young Scientists.

Academic Publications

Journal Articles (*Corresponding author, # Co-first authors)

  1. Jiayi Tian#, Yuqi Huang#, Tong Wu, Hsien-Da Huang, Kam Ming Ko*, Bao Ting Zhu* and Jihang Chen*. The use of Chinese Yang/Qi-invigorating tonic botanical drugs/formulas in ameliorating chronic kidney disease by enhancing mitochondrial function. Frontiers in Pharmacology 2021
  2. Jihang Chen*, Pou Kuan Leong, Hoi Yan Leung, Wing Man Chan, Hoi Shan Wong & Kam Ming Ko*. Biochemical mechanisms of the anti-obesity effect of an ursolic acid-enriched extract of Cynomorium songaricum in high fat diet-induced obese mice. Phytomedicine 2019. DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2019.153038 
  3. Jihang Chen* #, Leong Pou Kuan #, Leung Hoi Yan, Chan Wing Man, Li Zhonggui, Qiu Jingyu, Ko Kam Ming*, Chen Jianping*. A Chinese Herbal Formulation, Xiao-Er-An-Shen Decoction, Attenuates Tourette Syndrome, Possibly by Reversing Abnormal Changes in Neurotransmitter Levels and Enhancing Antioxidant Status in Mouse Brain. Frontiers in Pharmacology 2019.10. P812
  4. Jihang Chen, Wing Man Chan, Hoi Yan Leung, Pou Kuan Leong, Choly Tat Ming Yan and Kam Ming Ko*. Anti-Inflammatory Effects of a Cordyceps sinensis Mycelium Culture Extract (Cs-4) on Rodent Models of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma. Molecules. 2020, 25(18), 4051 
  5. Jihang Chen, Hoi Shan Wong, Kam Ming Ko. Ursolic acid induces mitochondrial biogenesis through the activation of AMPK and PGC-1 in C2C12 myotubes: A possible mechanism underlying its beneficial effect on exercise endurance. Food & Function 2017, 8(7): 2425-2436.
  6. Leong Pou Kuan, Jihang Chen, Chan Wing Man, Leung Hoi Yan, Chan, L., Ko, Kam Ming. Acute Pre-/Post-Treatment with 8th Day SOD-Like Supreme (a Free Radical Scavenging Health Product) Protects against Oxidant-Induced Injury in Cultured Cardiomyocytes and Hepatocytes In Vitro as Well as in Mouse Myocardium and Liver In Vivo. Antioxidants 2017, 6, 28.
  7. Pou Kuan Leong, Hoi Shan Wong, Jihang Chen, Hoi Yan Leung, Wing Man Chan and Kam Ming Ko. Differential Action between Schisandrin A and Schisandrin B in Eliciting an Anti-Inflammatory Action: The Depletion of Reduced Glutathione and the Induction of an Antioxidant Response. PLoS One 2016, 11(5): e0155879. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0155879
  8. Hoi Shan Wong, Pou Kuan Leong, Jihang Chen, Hoi Yan Leung, Wing Man Chan and Kam Ming Ko. β-Sitosterol increases mitochondrial electron transport by fluidizing mitochondrial membranes and enhances mitochondrial responsiveness to increasing energy demand by the induction of uncoupling in C2C12 myotubes. Journal of Functional Foods 2016, 23, 253-260
  9. Jihang Chen, Hoi Shan Wong, Kam Ming Ko. Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production mediates ursolic acid-induced mitochondrial uncoupling and glutathione redox cycling, with protection against oxidant injury in H9c2 cells. Food and Function 2015, 6(2), 549-557
  10. Pou Kuan Leong, Hoi Shan Wong, Jihang Chen and Ko, K.M. Yang/Qi invigoration: An herbal therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome with Yang deficiency? Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2015, Article ID 945901
  11. Jihang Chen, Hoi Shan Wong, Hoi Yan Leung, Pou Kuan Leong, Wing Man Chan and Kam Ming Ko. An ursolic acid-enriched Cynomorium songarium extract attenuates high fat diet-induced obesity in mice possibly through mitochondrial uncoupling. Journal of Functional Foods 2014, 9, 211-224
  12. Jihang Chen, Hoi Shan Wong, Hoi Yan Leung, Pou Kuan Leong, Wing Man Chan, Na Chen and Kam Ming Ko. An ursolic acid-enriched extract of Cynomorium songaricum protects against carbon tetrachloride hepatotoxicity and gentamicin nephrotoxicity in rats possibly through a mitochondrial pathway: A comparison with ursolic acid. Journal of Functional Foods 2014, 7, 330-341
  13. Jihang Chen, Hoi Shan Wong, Pou Kuan Leong, Hoi Yan Leung, Wing Man Chan and Kam Ming Ko. New insights into the chemical and biochemical basis of the ’Yang-invigorating’ action of Chinese Yang-tonic herbs. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2014, Article ID 856273
  14. Jihang Chen, Hoi Shan Wong, Kam Ming Ko. Ursolic acid-enriched Herba Cynomorii extract induces mitochondrial uncoupling and glutathione redox cycling through mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation: Protection against menadione cytotoxicity in H9c2 cells. Molecules 2014, 19(2), 1576-1591
  15. Hoi Shan Wong, Jihang Chen, Pou Kuan Leong, Hoi Yan Leung, Wing Man Chan and Kam Ming Ko. A Cistanches Herba fraction/β- sitosterol causes a redox-sensitive induction of mitochondrial uncoupling and activation of adenosine monophosphate-dependent protein kinase (AMPK)/peroxisome proliferator- activated receptor γ coactivator-1 (PGC-1) in C2C12 myotubes: A possible mechanism underlying the weight reduction effect. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2015, Article ID 142059
  16. Hoi Shan Wong, Jihang Chen, Pou Kuan Leong, Hoi Yan Leung, Wing Man Chan, Kam Ming Ko. Cistanches Herba reduces the weight gain in high fat diet-induced obese mice possibly through mitochondrial uncoupling. Journal of Functional Foods 2014, 10, 292–304
  17. Hoi Shan Wong, Jihang Chen, Pou Kuan Leong, Hoi Yan Leung, Wing Man Chan and Kam Ming Ko. β-Sitosterol protects against carbon tetrachloride hepatotoxicity but not gentamicin nephrotoxicity in rats via the induction of mitochondrial glutathione redox cycling. Molecules 2014, 19(11), 17649-17662
  18. Maitinuer Maiwulanjiang, Jianping ChenGuizhong XinAmy G.W. Gong, Abudureyimu Miernisha, Crystal Y.Q. Du, Kei M. Lau, Pinky S.C. Lee, Jihang ChenTina T.X. DongHaji A. AisaKarl W.K. Tsim. The volatile oil of Nardostachyos Radix et Rhizoma inhibits the oxidative stress-induced cell injury via reactive oxygen species scavenging and Akt activation in H9c2 cardiomyocyte. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2014, 153(2): 491-498.
  19. Pou Kuan Leong, Hoi Yan Leung, Hoi Shan Wong, Jihang Chen, Wing Man Chan, Chung Wah Ma, Yiting Yang, Kam Ming Ko. Long-term treatment with an herbal formula MCC ameliorates obesity-associated metabolic dysfunction in high fat diet-induced obese mice: A comparative study among MCC and various combinations of its constituents. Chinese Medicine 2014, 5, 34-46.
  20. Jihang Chen, Kam Ming Ko. Ursolic-acid-enriched Herba Cynomorii extract protects against oxidant injury in H9c2 cells and rat myocardium by increasing mitochondrial ATP generation capacity and enhancing cellular glutathione redox cycling, possibly through mitochondrial uncoupling. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2013, Article ID 924128
  21. Pou Kuan Leong, Hoi Yan Leung, Hoi Shan Wong, Jihang Chen, Chung Wah Ma, Yiting Yang, Kam Ming Ko. Long-term treatment with an herbal formula MCC reduces the weight gain in high fat diet-induced obese mice. Chinese Medicine 2013, 4(3).
  22. Philip Y. Lam, Hoi Shan Wong, Jihang Chen, Kam Ming Ko. A hypothetical anti-aging mechanism of “Yang-invigorating” Chinese tonic herbs. Chinese Medicine 2012, 3(1).