Tang Center for Herbal Medicine Research

Director

Chun-Su Yuan, M.D., Ph.D.

Professor of Anesthesia & Critical Care
Director, Tang Center for Herbal Medicine Research
Cyrus Tang Professor

5841 S. Maryland Ave.
M.C. 4028
Chicago, IL 60637
(773) 702-1916
cyuan@dacc.uchicago.edu

Dr. Yuan is the Cyrus Tang Professor in the Department of Anesthesia & Critical Care at the University of Chicago. He is a recognized expert in herbal medicine, and is actively researching the benefits and adverse effects of commonly used herbal medicines. Dr. Yuan has published numerous scientific articles, including more than 100 papers on herbal research. In addition, he is the primary Editor of the Textbook of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (1st & 2nd editions)and he serves the Editor-in-Chief of The American Journal of Chinese Medicine.

A native of China, Dr. Yuan received his medical degree from Shanghai Second Medical College, and passed the U.S. medical board exams for foreign physicians. He earned a PhD in physiology from the University of Arizona and completed a fellowship in clinical pharmacology at the University of Chicago.

Training

M.D. – 1972 – 1975
Shanghai Second Medical College, Shanghai, China

Ph.D. – 1980 – 1986
University of Arizona – Tucson, AZ, U.S.A. – Physiology

Internship – 1983 – 1983
Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates – U.S.A. – M.D. Equivalency

Fellowship – 1994 – 1996
University of Chicago – Chicago, IL, U.S.A. – Clinical Pharmacology

 

Clinical Interests

  • Pain therapeutics
  • Antagonism of opioid side effects, especially opioid bowel dysfunction
  • Complementary and alternative therapies

Academic Interests

  • Mechanisms of opioid pharmacological actions
  • New drug development / Preclinical and clinical trials
  • Complementary and alternative medicine
  • Benefits and risks of herbal medicines

 

Recent Publications

Wang, C.Z., Du, G.J., Zhen, Z., Calway, T. and Yuan C.S. 2011. Significant dose differences in donepezil purchased from the United States and Canada. Ann. Intern. Med. 155: 279-280.

Qi, L.W., Wang, C.Z. and Yuan C.S. 2011. Isolation and analysis of ginseng: advances and challenges. Nat. Prod. Rep. 28: 467-495.

Qi, L.W., Wang, C.Z. and Yuan CS. 2010. American ginseng: potential structure- function relationship in cancer chemoprevention. Biochem. Pharmacol. 80: 947- 954.

Xie, J.T., Shao, Z.H., Vanden Hoek, T.L., Chang, W.T., Li, J., Mehendale, S., Wang, C.Z., Hsu, C.W., Becker, L.B., Yin, J.J. and Yuan, C.S. 2006. Antioxidant effects of ginsenoside Re in cardiomyocytes. Eur. J. Pharmacol. 532: 201-207.

Yuan, C.S. and Israel, R.J. 2006. Methylnaltrexone, a novel peripheral opioid receptor antagonist for the treatment of opioid side effects. Expert Opin. Investig. Drugs 15: 541-552.

Yuan, C.S., Wei, G., Dey, L., Karrison, T., Nahlik, L., Maleckar, S.A., Kasza, K., Ang- Lee, M.K. and Moss, J. 2004. American ginseng reduces warfarin’s effect in healthy patients: A randomized controlled trial. Ann. Intern. Med. 141: 23-27.

Yuan, C.S., Dey, L., Xie, J.T and Aung, H.H. 2002. Gastric effects of galanin and its interaction with leptin on brainstem neuronal activity. J. Pharmacol. Exp. There. 301: 488-493.

Attele, A.S., Zhou, Y.P., Xie, J.T., Wu, J.A., Zhang, L., Dey, L., Pugh, W., Rue, P.A., Polonsky, K.S. and Yuan., C.S. 2002. Anti-diabetic effects of Panax ginseng berry extract and identification of an active component. Diabetes 51: 1851-1858.

Ang-Lee, M.K., Moss, J. and Yuan, C.S. 2001. Herbal medicines and perioperative care. JAMA 286: 208-216.

Yuan, C.S. and Foss, J.F. 2000. Oral methylnaltrexone for opioid-induced constipation. JAMA 284: 1383-1384.

Yuan, C.S., Foss, J.F., O’Connor, M., Osinski, J., Karrison, T., Moss, J. and Roizen, M.F. 2000. Methylnaltrexone for reversal of constipation due to chronic methadone use: A randomized, controlled trial. JAMA 283: 367-372.