Skip to main content Start main content

Academic Staff

People
Prof. M.S. Wong
PolyU Scholars Hub

Prof. Wong Man-sau

DoRCMI & Professor

Research Overview

The primary focus of our laboratory is to study the use of dietary factors (nutrients and phytochemicals) and Chinese medicinal herbs (its bioactive fractions and ingredients) for improving musculoskeletal health and prevention of age-related diseases as well as to delineate the mechanisms involved in mediating their protective effects.

Our research interests include the use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and sarcopenia; the study of the molecular actions of bone protective phytochemicals; the mechanisms of actions of TCM-derived phytoestrogens in achieving tissue selectivity; drug-herbs interactions between the use of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) and Chinese medicine for the management of menopausal syndromes; the role of gut microbiota in mediating the therapeutic actions of TCM and the roles of gut microbiota and gut-derived metabolites in optimizing musculoskeletal health at different life stages. 

Education and Academic Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science in Food Science, University of Illinois
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Chicago

Academic and Professional Experience

  • 2013-2028 Certified Food Scientist, Institute of Food Technologists 
  • 2021-2024 Registered Nutritionist, Association for Nutrition (UK) 
  • 2024-2028 Member, Advisory Panel for Food Consumption Survey, Department of Food and Environmental Hygiene, HKSAR (31 January 2024 to 30 January 2028) 
  • 2023-2026 Deputy Chairperson, Council on Human Reproductive Technology, Health Bureau, HKSAR (16 June 2023 to 15 June 2026) 
  • 2023-2026 Chairman, Inspection Committee, Council on Human Reproductive Technology, Health Bureau, HKSAR (16 June 2023 to 15 June 2026) 
  • 2023-2026 Member, Chinese Medicine Board, HKSAR (13 September 2023 to 12 September 2026) 
  • 2023-2026 Member, Regulatory Committee of Chinese Medicine Traders, HKSAR 
  • 2022-2025 Member, Experts Committee on Breastfeeding, United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Division for People (1February 2022 to 31 January 2023) (15 April 2024 to 14 April 2025) 
  • 2022-2025 Member, Committee on Research and Development of Chinese Medicines, Commission for Innovation and Technology, HKSAR (1 January 2022 to 30 June 2025) 
  • 2021-2027 Member, Committee on Reduction of Salt and Sugar in Food, Environment and Ecology Bureau, HKSAR (15 March 2021 to March 14, 2027)  
  • 2021-2025 Member, Enterprise Support Scheme (ESS) Assessment Panel, Innovation Technology Fund (ITF), HKSAR (1 July 2021 to 30 June 2025). 
  • 2019-2025 Member, Advisory Council on Food and Environmental Hygiene, Environment and Ecology Bureau, HKSAR (1 April 2019 to 31 March 2025) 
  • 2017-2023 Member, Chinese Medicine Industry Management Group, Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong, HKSAR 
  • 2015-2021 Council Member, Council on Human Reproductive Technology, HKSAR. (1 April 2015 to 31 March 2021) 
  • 2010-2016 Member, Expert Committee on Food Safety, Food and Health Bureau, HKSAR 
  • 2008-2014 Member, Working Group on Diet and Physical Activity, A Strategic Framework for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases, Department of Health, HKSAR 
  • 2008-2014 Member, Working Group on Diet and Physical Activity, A Strategic Framework for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases, Department of Health, HKSAR 
  • 2008-2014 Study Group Member, Study group on Childhood Nutrition (0-5), Subgroup 4, Department of Health, HKSAR 
  • 2019-2023 Member, Higher Education Review Board (HERB), Institute of Food Technologists 
  • 2017-2020 Visiting Professor, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, PRC 
  • 2016-2019 Adjunct Professor, Department of Nutritional Sciences, Purdue University, Indiana, USA 
  • 2012-2017 Expert Member, "Chinese medicine new drug discovery and modernization professional platform", 111 Project, supported by Ministry of Education and State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, the P.R. of China 由教育部和国家外专局资助高校创新引智计划("111计划")暨南大学姚新生院士主持的 "中药创新药物发现与中药现代化创新引智基地"(B13038)专家成员 
  • 2006 Visiting Associate Professor, UIC/NOH Center for Botanical Dietary Supplement Research, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago 
  • 2004-2009 Adjunct Professor, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University 
  • 2016-2020 Executive Council Member, First Board of Specialty Committee of Osteoporosis of World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies 
  • 2016-2022 Member, Steering Committee for "FOOD-CO" Intermediary Services for Building Capacity in Food Support Service, St. James' Settlement 
  • 2015-2020 External Examiner, High Diploma programme in Human Nutrition, School of Continuing and Professional Studies, CUHK 
  • 2015-present Chairperson, Expert Group on Maternal and Child Nutrition, Hong Kong Nutrition Association 
  • 2014-present Academic Advisor, The Hong Kong Nutrition Association Ltd. 
  • 2008-present Council Member, Modernized Chinese Medicine International Association limited 
  • 2005-present Advisor, The Hong Kong Health Food Association 
  • Associate Editor Frontiers in Pharmacology, section Ethnopharmacology since 2022 
  • Associate Editor Journal of Ginseng Research since 2015 
  • Editorial Board Member American Journal of Chinese Medicine, since 2006 

Research Interests

  • Bone and Mineral Metabolism
  • Diet and Diseases
  • Osteoporosis
  • Phytoestrogens
  • Phytochemicals
  • Traditional Chinese Medicine
  • Functional Food

Achievements

  • 2023 &2022 Top 2% most cited Scientists by Stanford University in the field of Medicinal and Biomolecular Chemistry
  • 2017      Champion, Most Favorable PolyU Research News of 2016 "Most Favorite PolyU Research News of 2016" Facebook Campaign "Breastfeeding Research Discovers inadequate Calcium, Iron and Iodine Intakes of Hong Kong Lactating Women"
  • 2016      Champion, Most Favorable PolyU Research News of 2015 "Most Favorite PolyU Research News of 2015" Facebook Campaign "Establishment of Hong Kong's First Breast Milk Nutrient Database"
  • 2016      Faculty Service Award, Faculty of Applied Science and Textile, PolyU
  • 2015      ABCT Star Award
  • 2014       ABCT Star Award
  • 2014       Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Awards (Science and Technology) from the Ministry of Education 國家教育部2013年度高等學校科學研究優秀成果獎(科學技術) Second Class Prize in Scientific and Technological Progress Award (科技进步奖) with the award-winning project ""Modernization and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Anti-osteoporosis, 抗骨質疏鬆傳統中藥現代化研究及其應用
  • 2012       Shenzhen Virtual University Park National Technology Project Pioneer Award, Shenzhen Technology and Innovation Committee "Study of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the use of Sambucus Willimaii Hance for treatment of osteoporosis"
  • 2011      Highest International Consultancy Award, Outstanding Professional Services Awards
  • 2011      PolyU Technology and Consultancy Co. Ltd."Effects of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi (FLL) and Puerariae Radix (PR) on calcium metabolism and bone properties in ovariectomized rats"
  • 2006      Shandong Higher education Excellent Research Award Natural Science Award Third Prize "山东高等学校优秀科研成果奖自然科学类三等奖", Study of the molecular mechanism involved in mediating the estrogenic actions of ginsenoside Rg1 and genistein
  • 2005      Qingdao University Scientific Research Theoretical Results Second Prize青岛大学科学研究理论成果二等奖 "Study of the molecular mechanism of phytoestrogens"
  • Wang AYY, Wong MS and Lo SCL Method for detecting immune responses. US patent application No. 10/756,768, filed on 14/1/2004 
  • Wong MS, Yao XS, Xiao HH Dai Yi. The active fraction of Sambucus Williamsii Hance that reduce the risk of menopause related disease and its application ", 2012112900083070 granted 04/12/2012 黄文秀,姚新生,肖辉辉,戴毅。具有降低绝经期妇女骨相关疾病发病风险的接骨木活性部位及其应用。中国专利。申请号:201010103723.6。公开号:CN 101773490A。 
  • Wong MS, Yao XS, Xiao HH Dai Yi. Lignans from Sambucus Williamsii HANCE and its formulation and application. China patent application 201010113467.9, filed on 11/2/2010 黄文秀,姚新生,肖辉辉,戴毅。接骨木木脂素类化合物及其制备方法和应用。中国专利。申请号:201110113467.9。公开号:CN102153453A。 
  • 陈舜宏,莫锦华,黄文秀,吴健虹,张焕。一种沙苑子乙醇提取物及其制备方法和应用。中国发明专利,已受理(申请号:201510306174.5) 
  • Wong MS, Yao XS, Xiao HH, Dai Yi. Extraction methods for total lignans from Sambucus Williamsii黄文秀,姚新生,肖辉辉,戴毅。接骨木中总单倍木脂素的提取方法. HANCE, 201611060394.5, filed on 25/11/2016 
  • Wong MS, XL Dong, SS Cao, Y Wang " Application of oleanoic acid and urosolic acid as bioactive drug formulation for regulation of vitamin D metabolic enzymes"黄文秀, 董晓莉, 曹思思, 王奕 齐墩果酸和熊果酸在制备调节维生素D3代谢酶活性的药物中的应用 中国专利,申请号:201711061004.0, filed on 02/11/2017 授权公告日:2021年05月25 日公开号:CN 109745330 B. Granted 
  • Wong M.S., Yao, X. S., Qiu, Z., Dong X & Dai, Y., Application of prenylflavanone compound in control of bone diseases (黄文秀,姚新生,邱佐成董晓莉,戴毅。异戊烯基二氢黄酮类化合物在防治骨疾病领域的应用) Patent No. ZL201610102211.5, 24 Feb 201, 公开号 CN 107115335 B, 授权公告: 2019 年11月19 日 granted 
  • Wong MS, Dong X, Yu WX  “Preparation and application of a vitamin D supplement” (黄文秀,董晓莉,于文轩。维生素D补充制剂及其应用) China patent No: ZL 201910764988.1 Application date: 19/08/2019 授权公告日:2022年01月7 日 授权公告号:CN 112386601 B Granted 
  • 于学丽;莫锦华;黄文秀;肖辉辉 “木脂素类化合物的代谢组学研究方法” China Patent No:  ZL 201910375759.0 Application date: 2019年05月07日 授权公告日:2023年05月23, 授权公告号:CN 111912912 B Granted 
  • 黄文秀、于文轩、林颂恩 胆汁酸或胆汁酸受体激动剂作为活性维生素D调节剂的应用Application No. 202111412520.X, filed on 25/11/2021 
  • MS Wong, KY Wong, JW Liu, YB Liu. Aptamer functionalized liposomes for delivery of ocular drug for eye diseases. US patent # 18/106,205, Filed on 6 February 2023 
  • Poon, CWC and Wong MS  一种整合素α5β1 作为靶点在筛选用于预防和/或治疗骨流失的药物中的应用. (China Patent No. 2023103808692).  
  1. Yu WX, Poon CCW, Zhou LP, Wong KY, Cao SS, Lam CY, Lee WYW, Wong MS 2024 Oleanolic acid exerts bone anabolic effects via activation of osteoblastic 25-hydroxyvitamin D 1-alpha hydroxylase. Biomed pharmacother. 173: 116402 
  2. Wong KY, Liu Y, Wong MS, Liu JW 2024 Cornea-SELEX for Aptamers targeting the surface of eyes and liposomal drug delivery. Exploration 20230008.  
  3. Wong KY, Phan CM, Chan YT, Yuen ACY, Zhang H, Zhao D, Chan KY, Do CW, Lam TC, Qiao JH, Wulff D, Hui A, Jones L, Wong MS 2024 A Review of Using Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Management of Glaucoma and Cataract. Clin. Exp. Optom 107(2):156-170 
  4. Wong KY, Kong TH, Poon CCW, Yu WX, Zhou LP, Wong MS. 2023 Icariin, a Phytoestrogen, Exerts Rapid Estrogenic Actions Through Crosstalk of Estrogen Receptors in Osteoblasts. Phytother. Res. 37(10): 4706-4721 
  5. Yu WX, Tang HH, Ye JJ, Xiao HH, Lam CY, Shum TF, Sun ZK, Li YZ, Zang XY, Du WC, Zhang JP, Kong TH, Zhou LP, Chiou AJC, Hu J, Mok DKW, MS Wong 2023 Identification of microbial transformation products of secoisolariciresinol by an untargeted metabolomics approach and evaluation of  the osteogenic activities of the metabolites. Molecules 28(15):5742. 
  6. Xiao HH, Zhu YX, Lu L, Zhou LP, Poon CCW, Chan CO, Wang LJ, Ca SS, Yu WX, Wong KY, Mok DKW, Wong MS. 2022 The lignan-rich fraction from Sambucus williamsii Hance exerts bone protective effects via altering circulating serotonin and gut microbiota in rats. Nutrients. 14(22), 4718 
  7. Zhou L,YT Chan, KKH Lo, D Zhao, VWS Wong, YF Ng, WW Ho, LS Li, HW Lee, MS Wong, SY Li. 2022 Carotenoids and vitamin A in breastmilk of Hong Kong lactating mothers and their relationships with maternal diet. Nutrients 14(10), 2031 
  8. Zhou LP, Wong KY, Poon CCW, Yu WX, Xiao HH, Chan CO, Mok DKW, MS Wong 2022 Water extract of Rhizoma Drynaria selectively exerts estrogenic activities in ovariectomized rats and estrogen receptor-positive cells. Front. Endocrinol. 13: 817146 
  9. Lu Z, Chan YT, Lo KKH, Wong VWS, Ng YF, Li SY, Ho WW, Wong MS, Zhao D 2021 Levels of polyphenols and phenolic metabolites in breastmilk and its associations with plant-based food intake in Hong Kong lactating women. Food & Function. 12, 12683 
  10. Xiao HH, Yu XL, Yang C, Chan CO, Lu L, Cao SS, Lan ZJ, Mok DKW, Chen S, MS Wong 2021 Prenylated Isoflavonoids-Rich Extract of Erythrinae Cortex Exerted Bone Protective Effects by Modulating Gut Microbial Compositions and Metabolites in Ovariectomized Rats Nutrients 3(9):2943 
  11. KY Wong, LP Zhou, WX Yu, CCW Poon, HH Xiao, CO Chan, DKW Mok, MS Wong 2021 Water extract of Er-xian decoction selectively exerts estrogenic activities and interacts with SERMs in estrogen-sensitive tissues. J Ethnopharmcol. 275: 114096 
  12. HH Xiao, L Lu, CCW Poon, CO Chan, YX Zhu, LP Zhou, SS Cao, WX Yu, KY Wong, DKW Mok, MS Wong 2021 The effects of lignan-rich fraction from Sambucus Williamsii Hance on regulating dyslipidemia and insulin resistance by modulating gut microbiota in ovariectomized rats. Biomed pharmacother. 137:111372 
  13. LP Zhou, KY Wong, WX Yu, CCW Poon, HH Xiao, MS Wong 2021 Selective estrogen receptor modulator-like activities of Herba Epimedii (HEP) extract and its interactions with tamoxifen and raloxifene in bone cells and tissues. Frontiers in Pharmacology.11:571598. 
  14. LP Zhou, CCW Poon, KY Wong, SS Cao, XL Dong, Y Zhang, MS Wong 2021 Icariin ameliorates estrogen-deficiency induced bone loss by enhancing IGF-I signaling via the crosstalk with non-genomic ERα signaling Phytomedicine. 82:153413 
  15. LP Zhou, KY Wong, SS Cao, CCW Poon, WX Yu, XL Dong, KWK Tsim, MS Wong 2021 A standardized extract of Danggui Buxue Tang decoction selectively exerts estrogenic activities distinctly from Tamoxifen. Phytotherapy Res. 35(3): 1456-1467 
  16. VWC Wong, YF Ng, SM Chan, YX Su, KWH Kwok, LHM Chan, CL Cheung, HW Lee, WY Pak,  SY Li, MS Wong 2019 Positive relationship between consumption of specific fish type and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in milk of Hong Kong lactating mothers Brit J Nutr. 121(12):1-3 
  17. Zeng J, Yu W, Dong X, Zhao S, Wang Z, Liu Y, Wong MS, Wang Y. 2019 A nanoencapsulation suspension biomimetic of milk structure for enhanced maternal and fetal absorptions of DHA to improve early brain development. Nanomedicine. 15(1):119-128.  
  18. QG Gao, LP Zhou, VHY Lee, HY Chan, CWY Man, MS Wong 2019 Ginsenoside Rg1 activates ligand-independent estrogenic effects via rapid estrogen receptor (ER) signaling pathway J Ginseng Res 43(4):527-538.  
  19. Cao S, Wastney ME, Lachcik PJ, Xiao HH, Weaver CM, MS Wong 2018 Both oleanolic acid and a mixture of oleanolic and ursolic acids mimic the effects of Fructus ligustri lucidi on bone properties and circulating 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol in ovariectomized rats. J Nutr. 2018;148:1895–1902. 
  20. Xiao HH, Sham TT, Chan CO, Chen X, Mok DKW, Yao XS and MS Wong 2018 A metabolomics study on the bone protective effects of a lignan-rich fraction from Sambucus Williamsii Ramulus in aged rats Front. Pharmacol. 9:932. 
  1. MS Wong, Y Zhang Flavonoids of Herba Epimedii and bone metabolism in experimental ovarian deficiency. In: Victor R. Preedy, eds. Handbook of Nutrition and Diet in Menopause. New York, NY: Springer Science+ Business Med; 2013"
  2. HH Xiao, XS Yao and MS Wong. A lignan-rich bioactive fraction of Sambucus williamsii Hance exerts oestrogen-like bone protective effects in aged ovariectomized rats and osteoblastic cells. In Connie M. Weaver, Robin M. Daly, Heike A. Bischoff-Ferrari eds. Nutritional Influences on Bone Health. 9th International Symposium. Springer International Publishing AG, Cham, 2016.
  3. SS Cao, XL Dong, Y Zhang and MS Wong Bone Protective Chinese Herbs: The Story of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi . In Connie M. Weaver, Robin M. Daly, Heike A. Bischoff-Ferrari Man-Sau Wong eds. Nutritional Influences on Bone Health. 10th International Symposium. Springer International Publishing AG, Cham, 2018.
  4. MS Wong, CCW Poon, LP Zhou, HH Xiao. Natural products as potential bone therapies. In: Paula H Stern, eds. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology. Springer Nature Switzerland AG, 2019"

Your browser is not the latest version. If you continue to browse our website, Some pages may not function properly.

You are recommended to upgrade to a newer version or switch to a different browser. A list of the web browsers that we support can be found here