Prof. LAU Bik San Clara

  • Address:
    (Office): Room 305, Science Centre East Block
  • Phone:
    (Office): (852) 3943 6109
  • Fax: (852) 2603 5248
  • Email: claralau@cuhk.edu.hk
  • ORCID: 0000-0002-7409-1270
    Scopus Author ID: 8982873200

Professor Clara Lau is the Associate Director of the Institute of Chinese Medicine at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. She also serves as the Associate Director of the State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants (The Chinese University of Hong Kong). She has a courtesy appointment as Associate Professor at the School of Chinese Medicine, CUHK and has served as Deputy Program Director/Program Director (2005-2015) of a part-time MSc in Chinese Medicines and Herbal Drugs. With BPharm and PhD in Pharmacy (Pharmacognosy) from King’s College London, University of London, United Kingdom, she has a continuous interest in medicinal plants (western herbals and traditional Chinese herbal medicines) and has over 28 years' experience in natural products research. She currently serves as member of ChP-USP Advisory Group on Monographs for Traditional Chinese Medicine Ingredients and Products; Acting Secretary General and Executive Council Member of The Consortium for Globalization of Chinese Medicine (CGCM); President, and Executive Committee Member of the Board of Directors for Good Practice in Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Association (GP-TCM RA); Council member of Modernized Chinese Medicine International Association (MCMIA); Advisor for Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong on Registration of Proprietary Chinese Medicines; Associate Editor of “Journal of Ethnopharmacology” and “Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine (eJTCM)”, Consulting Editor of “Pharmacological Research”, and Editorial Board member of journals “Phytomedicine”, “Scientific Reports”, “Journal of Natural Products”, “Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology” and “Integrative Medicine Research”.

( 1 ) Study of herbs and natural products with potential anti-cancer activities; discovery and development of anti-angiogenic natural products; evaluation of anti-tumor and anti-metastatic activities of natural compounds; research on adjuvant potentials of Chinese herbal extracts in cancer management.

( 2 ) Study of anti-diabetic and diabetic foot ulcer healing activities of medicinal herbs.

( 3 ) Investigation of beneficial herb-drug interactions.

Over 280 SCI journal articles  (h-index=47)
Editor of the book series “Natural Products Chemistry of Global Plants” (May 2022 – present); 1 edited book, 11 book chapters.


Edited Book




“Medicinal Plants and Mushrooms of Yunnan Province of China” edited by Lau CBS and Long CL, CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group. ISBN: 9781032023380
Publication date: 25 June 2021

Journal Articles     *Corresponding author

  1. Chiu PWY, Yue GGL, Cheung MK, Yip HC, Chu SK, Yung MY, Wu JCY, Chan SM, Teoh AYB, Ng EKW, Norimoto H, Lau CBS* (2023). The effect of Andrographis paniculata water extract on palliative management of metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma – A phase II clinical trial. Phytotherapy Research 37, 3438-3452.
  2. Yang H, Zheng T, Ku CF, Ngai CK, Yue GGL, Lee HK, Lau CBS* (2023). Discovery of a heat-generated compound DHD derived from Patrinia villosa water extract with inhibitory effects on colon cancer cells viability and migration. Frontiers in Chemistry 11, 1195883.
  3. Yang H, Yue GGL, Yuen KK, Gao Si, Leung PC, Wong CK, Lau CBS* (2023). Mechanistic insights into the anti-tumor and anti-metastatic effects of Patrinia villosa aqueous extract in colon cancer via modulation of TGF-β R1-smad2/3-E-cadherin and FAK-RhoA-cofilin pathways. Phytomedicine 117, 154900.
  4. Hu YL, Yue GGL, Li XR, Xu G, Lau CBS* (2023). Structurally diverse spirocyclic polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols from Hypericum ascyron Linn. and their anti-tumor activity. Phytochemistry 212, 113727.
  5. Gou L, Yue GGL, Lee JKM, Puno PT, Lau CBS* (2023). Natural product Eriocalyxin B suppressed triple negative breast cancer metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. Biochemical Pharmacology 210, 115491.
  6. Yang H, Yue GGL, Leung PC, CK Wong, Zhang YJ, Lau CBS* (2022). Anti-metastatic effects of 1,2,3,4,6-Penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose in colorectal cancer: Regulation of cathepsin B-mediated extracellular matrix dynamics and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Pharmacological Research 184, 106457.
  7. Jiang NN, Yue GGL, Li P, Ye YS, Gomes AJ, Kwok FHF, Lee JKM, Gao Si, Lau CBS*, Xu G (2022). Discovery of dearomatized isoprenylated acylphloroglucinols with colon tumor suppressive activities in mice via inhibiting NFκB-FAT1-PDCD4 signaling activation. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 239, 114532.
  8. Yue GGL, Gomes AJ, Saeed MEM, Tsui KY, Dawood M, Drif AI, Wong ECW, Lee WF, Liu W, Chiu PWY, Efferth T, Lau CBS* (2022). Identification of active components in Andrographis paniculata targeting on CD81 in esophageal cancer in vitro and in vivo. Phytomedicine 102, 154183.
  9. Lin Q, Liu M, Yue GGL, Cheung MK, Lai Z, Kwok FHF, Lee JKM, Wang Z, Lau CBS*, Tan NH (2022). Anti-inflammatory activities of natural cyclopeptide RA-XII in colitis-associated colon cancer mouse model and its effect on gut microbiome. Phytotherapy Research 36, 2641-2659.
  10. Cheung MK, Yue GGL, Gomes AJ, Wong ECW, Lee JKM, Kwok FHF, Chiu PWY, Lau CBS* (2022). Network pharmacology reveals potential functional components and underlying molecular mechanisms of Andrographis paniculata in esophageal cancer treatment. Phytotherapy Research 36, 1748-1760.
  11. Yang H, Yue GGL, Leung PC, Wong CK, Lau CBS* (2022). A review on the molecular mechanisms, the therapeutic treatment including the potential of herbs and natural products, and target prediction of obesity-associated colorectal cancer. Pharmacological Research 175, Article 106031.
  12. Yang H, Cheung MK, Yue GGL, Leung PC, Wong CK, Lau CBS* (2021). Integrated network pharmacology analysis and in vitro validation revealed the potential active components and underlying mechanistic pathways of Herba Patriniae in colorectal cancer. Molecules 26, 6032.
  13. Tao Z, Wong ECW, Yue GGL, Li XX, Wu KHY, Lau DTW, Shaw PC, Simmonds MSJ, Lau CBS* (2021). Identification and quantification of tricin present in medicinal herbs, plant foods and by-products using UPLC-QTOF-MS. Chemical Papers 75, 4579-4588.
  14. Li XX, Chen SG, Yue GGL, Kwok HF, Lee JKM, Zheng T, Shaw PC, Simmonds MSJ, Lau CBS* (2021). Natural flavone tricin exerted anti-inflammatory activity in macrophage via NF-κB pathway and ameliorated acute colitis in mice. Phytomedicine 90, 153625.
  15. Li LF, Yue GGL, Chan BCL, Zeng Q, Han QB, Leung PC, Fung KP, Liu JK, Lau CBS* (2021). Rubinoboletus ballouii polysaccharides exhibited immunostimulatory activities through toll-like receptor-4 via NF-κB pathway. Phytotherapy Research 35, 2108-2118.
  16. Gou L, Yue GGL, Puno PT, Lau CBS* (2021). A review on the relationship of mast cells and macrophages in breast cancer – Can herbs or natural products facilitate their anti-tumor effects? Pharmacological Research 164, Article 105321.
  17. Yue GGL, Chan YY, Liu W, Gao S, Wong CW, Lee JKM, Lau KM, Lau CBS* (2021). Effectiveness of Scutellaria barbata water extract on inhibiting colon tumor growth and metastasis in tumor-bearing mice. Phytotherapy Research 35, 361-373.
  18. Li M, Yue GGL, Luo L, Tsui SKW, Fung KP, Ng SSM, Lau CBS* (2021). Turmeric is therapeutic in vivo on patient-derived colorectal cancer xenografts: inhibition of growth, metastasis and tumor recurrence. Frontiers in Oncology 10, 574827.
  19. Yue GGL, Liang XX, Li XL, Lee JKM, Gao S, Kwok HF, Lau CBS*, Xiao WL (2020). Immunomodulatory and antitumor bioactive labdane diterpenoids from Leonurus japonicus. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 72, 1657-1665.
  20. Yue GGL, Gao S, Lee JKM, Chan YY, Wong ECW, Zheng T, Li XX, Shaw PC, Simmonds MSJ, Lau CBS* (2020). A natural flavone tricin from grains can alleviate tumor growth and lung metastasis in colorectal tumor mice. Molecules 25(16), 3730.
  21. Cheung MK, Yue GGL, Tsui KY, Gomes AJ, Kwan HS, Chiu PWY, Lau CBS* (2020). Discovery of an interplay between the gut microbiota and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in mice. American Journal of Cancer Research 10(8), 2409-2427.
  22. Wu XX, Yue GGL, Dong JR, Lam CWK, Wong CK, Qiu MH, Lau CBS* (2020). Actein inhibits tumor growth and metastasis in HER2-positive breast tumor bearing mice via suppressing AKT/mTOR and Ras/Raf/MAPK signaling pathways. Frontiers in Oncology 10, 854.
  23. Cheung MK, Yue GGL, Chiu PWY, Lau CBS* (2020). A review of the effects of natural compounds, medicinal plants and mushrooms on the gut microbiota in colitis and cancer. Frontiers in Pharmacology 11, 744
  24. Dong J, Yue GGL, Lee JKM, Lau CBS*, Qiu M (2020). Potential neurotrophic activity and cytotoxicity of selected C21 steroidal glycosides from Cynanchum otophyllum. Medicinal Chemistry Research 29, 549-555.
  25. Safavi F, Farimani MM, Golalipour M, Leung PC, Lau KM, Kwok HF, Wong CW, Bayat H, Lau CBS* (2019). Investigations on the wound healing properties of Onosma dichroantha Boiss root extracts. South African Journal of Botany 125, 344-352.
  26. Yue GGL, Li L, Lee JKM, Kwok HF, Wong ECW, Li M, Fung KP, Yu J, Chan AWH, Chiu PWY, Lau CBS* (2019). Multiple modulatory activities of Andrographis paniculata on immune responses and xenograft growth in esophageal cancer preclinical models. Phytomedicine 60, 152886.
  27. Lau KM, Yue GGL, Chan YY, Kwok HF, Gao S, Wong CW, Lau CBS* (2019). A review on the immunomodulatory activity of Acanthopanax senticosus and its active components. Chinese Medicine 14, 25.
  28. Yue GGL, Wong LS, Leung HW, Gao S, Tsang JYS, Lin ZX, Law BKB, Tse GMK, Lau CBS* (2019). Is Danggui safe to be taken by breast cancer patients? - A skepticism finally answered by comprehensive preclinical evidence. Frontiers in Pharmacology 10, 706.
  29. Lau CBS*, Yue GGL, Lau KM, Chan YY, Shaw PC, Kwok HF, Wong LS (2019). Method establishment for upgrading chemical markers in Pharmacopoeia to bioactive markers for biological standardization of traditional Chinese medicine. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine 9, 179-183.
  30. Yue GGL, Wong LS, Leung HW, Gao S, Tsang JYS, Lin ZX, Tse GMK, Lau CBS* (2019). Evaluation of the safety profiles of estrogenic Chinese herbal medicines in breast cancer. Phytomedicine 56, 103-117.
  31. Yue GGL, Lee JKM, Chan BCL, Kwok HF, Hoi SWH, Sze DMY, Fung KP, Leung PC, Lau CBS* (2018). An innovative anti-cancer Chinese herbal formula exhibited multi-targeted efficacies in metastatic breast cancer mouse model. Chinese Medicine 13, 64.
  32. Li M, Yue GGL, Tsui SKW, Fung KP, Lau CBS* (2018). Turmeric extract, with absorbable curcumin, has potent anti-metastatic effect in vitro and in vivo. Phytomedicine 46, 131-141.
  33. Leung HW, Ko CH, Yue GGL, Herr I, Lau CBS* (2018). The natural agent 4-vinylphenol targets metastasis and stemness features in breast cancer stem-like cells. Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology 82, 185-197.
  34. Wat E, Wang Y, Chan K, Law HW, Koon CM, Lau KM, Leung PC, Yan C, Lau CBS* (2018). An in vitro and in vivo study of a 4-herb formula on the management of diet-induced metabolic syndrome. Phytomedicine 42, 112-125.
  35. Li L, Yue GGL, Lee JKM, Wong ECW, Fung KP, Yu J, Lau CBS*, Chiu PWY (2018). Gene expression profiling reveals the potential mechanisms underlying the anti-tumor and anti-metastasis effects of Andrographis paniculata in esophageal cancer. Phytotherapy Research 32, 1388-1396.
  36. Li M, Yue GGL, Song LH, Huang MB, Lee JKM, Tsui SKW, Fung KP, Tan NH, Lau CBS* (2018). Natural small molecule bigelovin suppresses orthotopic colorectal tumor growth and inhibits colorectal cancer metastasis via IL6/STAT3 pathway. Biochemical Pharmacology 150, 191-201.
  37. Zhou X, Yue GGL, Tsui SKW, Pu J, Fung KP, Lau CBS* (2018). Elaborating the role of natural products on the regulation of autophagy and their potentials in breast cancer therapy. Current Cancer Drug Targets 18, 239-255.
  38. Zhou X, Yue GGL, Chan AML, Tsui SKW, Fung KP, Sun H, Pu J, Lau CBS* (2017). Eriocalyxin B, a novel autophagy inducer, exerts anti-tumor activity through the suppression of Akt/mTOR/p70S6K signaling pathway in breast cancer. Biochemical Pharmacology 142, 58-70.
  39. Li P, Yue GGL, Kwok HF, Long CL, Lau CBS*, Kennelly EJ (2017). Using Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography Quadrupole Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry-Based Chemometrics for the identification of anti-angiogenic bioflavonoids from edible Garcinia species. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 65, 8348-8355.
  40. Wat E, Ng CF, Koon CM, Zheng C, Gao S, Tomlinson B, Lau CBS* (2017). The adjuvant value of Herba Cistanches when used in combination with statin in murine models. Scientific Reports 7, 9391.
  41. Ko CH, Yue GGL, Gao S, Luo KW, Siu WS, Shum WT, Shiu HT, Lee JKM, Li G, Leung PC, Evdokiou A and Lau CBS* (2017). Evaluation of the combined use of metronomic zoledronic acid and Coriolus versicolor in intratibial breast cancer mouse model. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 204, 77-85.
  42. Li L, Yue GGL, Lee JKM, Wong ECW, Fung KP, Yu J, Lau CBS*, Chiu PWY (2017). The adjuvant value of Andrographis paniculata in metastatic esophageal cancer treatment – from preclinical perspectives. Scientific Reports 7(1), 854.
  43. Chan KM, Yue GGL, Li P, Wong ECW, Lee JKM, Kennelly EJ, Lau CBS* (2017). Screening and analysis of potential anti-tumor components from the stipe of Ganoderma sinense using high-performance liquid chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry with multivariate statistical tool. Journal of Chromatography A 1487, 162-167.
  44. Li M, Song LH, Yue GGL, Lee JKM, Zhao LM, Li L, Zhou X, Tsui SKW, Ng SSM, Fung KP, Tan NH, Lau CBS* (2017). Bigelovin triggered apoptosis in colorectal cancer in vitro and in vivo via upregulating death receptor 5 and reactive oxidative species. Scientific Reports 7, 42176.
  45. Zhou X, Yue GGL, Liu M, Zuo Z, Lee JKM, Li M, Tsui SKW, Fung KP, Sun H, Pu J, Lau CBS* (2016). Eriocalyxin B, a natural diterpenoid, inhibited VEGF-induced angiogenesis and diminished angiogenesis-dependent breast tumor growth by suppressing VEGFR-2 signaling. Oncotarget 7(50), 82820-82835.
  46. Ng WL, Lau KM, Lau CBS, Shing TKM (2016). Palladium-catalyzed arylation of carbasugars enables the discovery of potent and selective SGLT2 inhibitors. Angewandte Chemie International Edition 55, 13818-13821.
  47. Yue GGL, Xie S, Lee JKM, Kwok HF, Gao S, Nian Y, Wu XX, Wong CK, Qiu MH, Lau CBS* (2016). New potential beneficial effects of actein, a triterpene glycoside isolated from Cimicifuga species, in breast cancer treatment. Scientific Reports 6, 35263.
  48. Yue GGL, Kwok HF, Lee JKM, Jiang L, Wong ECW, Gao S, Wong HL, Lin L, Chan KM, Leung PC, Fung KP, Zuo Z, Lau CBS* (2016). Combined therapy using bevacizumab and turmeric ethanolic extract (with absorbable curcumin) exhibited beneficial efficacy in colon cancer mice. Pharmacological Research 111, 43-57.
  49. Wat E, Ng CF, Koon CM, Wong ECW, Tomlinson B, Lau CBS* (2016). The protective effect of Herba Cistanches on statin-induced myotoxicity in vitro. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 190, 68-73.
  50. Yue GGL, Lee JKM, Li L, Chan KM, Wong ECW, Chan JYW, Fung KP, Lui VWY, Chiu PWY, Lau CBS* (2015). Andrographis paniculata elicits anti-invasion activities by suppressing TM4SF3 gene expression and by anoikis-sensitization in esophageal cancer cells. American Journal of Cancer Research 5(12), 3570-3587.
  51. Tam JCW, Ko CH, Lau KM, To MH, Kwok HF, Siu WS, Lau CP, Chan WY, Leung PC, Fung KP, Lau CBS* (2015). Enumeration and functional investigation of endothelial progenitor cells in neovascularization of diabetic foot ulcer rats with a Chinese 2-herb formula. Journal of Diabetes 7, 718-728.
  52. Leung HW, Wang Z, Yue GGL, Zhao SM, Lee JKM, Fung KP, Leung PC, Lau CBS*, Tan NH (2015). Cyclopeptide RA-V inhibits cell adhesion and invasion in both estrogen receptor positive and negative breast cancer cells via PI3K/AKT and NF-κB signaling pathways. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular Cell Research 1853, 1827-1840.
  53. Lau CBS*, Yue GGL, Fung KP, Tan NH, Leung PC (2015). The potential role of Chinese herbal medicines in cancer management. Science Jan 16 “The Art and Science of Traditional Medicine, Part 2: Multidisciplinary approaches for studying traditional medicine” Vol. 347, no. 6219, pg.337, S45-S47.