Cuscuta chinensis Lam. and Cuscuta japonica Choisy are parasitic plants. C. chinensis seeds were traditionally used for treatment of kidney and liver deficiencies. C. japonica seeds were used as tonic medicine to improve liver function and strengthen kidneys, treatment of high blood pressure, chronic diarrhea, and sore eyes. Cuscutae Semen are seeds of only C. chinensis in Korean Herbal Pharmacopoeia (K.H.P.). The developed HPLC-PDA method easily, accurately, and sensitively quantified using eight marker compounds [hyperoside (1), astragalin, (2), quercetin (3), kaempferol (4), chlorogenic acid (5), 3,4-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (6), 1,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (7), and 4,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (8)]. In addition, the method may be used to distinguish seeds between C. chinensis Lam. and C. japonica Choisy. Furthermore, the result from the current study was applied to clarify samples between steam processed and unprocessed samples of C. chinensis by pattern analysis.
Chlorogenic Acid ; Cuscuta ; Diarrhea ; Flavonoids ; Hypertension ; Kidney ; Liver ; Methods ; Quality Control ; Quercetin ; Semen ; Steam

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents of the seeds of Cuscuta chinensis.

METHODThe separation was carried out by polyamide and silica gel chromatography, and the compounds were identified by means of physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods.

RESULTSEight compounds were isolated from the plant and identified as quercetin 3-O-beta-D-galactoside-7-O-beta-D-glucoside (I), quercetin 3-O-beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-galactoside (II), hyperoside (III), isorhamnetin (IV), kaempferol (V), quercetin (VI), d-sesamin (VII) and 9(R)-hydroxy-d-sesamin (VIII).

CONCLUSIONCompounds IV and VII were isolated from Cuscuta for the first time, and I, II and VIII were characteristic constituents for this vegetable drug.

Cuscuta ; chemistry ; Flavonols ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quercetin ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Seeds ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study the reason for the deep dormancy of the aged Cuscuta chinensis seed and find the solving method.

METHODThe separated and combined treatments were applied in the orthogonal designed experiments.

RESULTThe aged seed had well water-absorbency; the water and ethanol extracts of the seeds showed an inhibition effect on germination capacity of the seeds.

CONCLUSIONThe main reason for the deep dormancy of aged C. chinensis seed is the inhibitors existed in seed. There are two methods to solve the problem. The seeds is immersed in 98% of H2SO4 for 2 min followed by 500 mg x L(-1) of GA3 treatment for 60 min, or in 100 mg x L(-1) of NaOH for 20 min followed by 500 mg x L(-1) of GA3 treatment for 120 min.

Cuscuta ; drug effects ; physiology ; Germination ; drug effects ; Gibberellins ; pharmacology ; Seeds ; drug effects ; physiology ; Sodium Hydroxide ; pharmacology ; Sulfuric Acids ; pharmacology

PURPOSE: Male infertility is a serious problem, and its prevalence has been increasing. Therefore, we investigated the safety of a new herbal formula and its effects on sperm quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An in vitro cytotoxicity test in TM3 Leydig cells was performed to evaluate cell viability after administration of five types of herbs separately and of a new herbal formula containing these five. An in vivo test in male mice was performed to evaluate the influence of the new herbal formula on the reproductive organs and sperm quality. After the 8- and 28-day oral administration of the new herbal formula, the weights of the reproductive organs were measured and the sperm count and motility were evaluated. RESULTS: In the in vitro cytotoxicity test, less than 80% cell viability at concentrations of 500 mg/L and 1,000 mg/L of Rubus coreanus Miquel and Cuscuta chinensis Lam was observed. However, more than 80% cell viability was observed at all the tested concentrations of the new herbal formula. After the 8- and 28-day oral administration, there were no considerable changes in body weight. The weights of the testes, epididymis, and seminal vesicles after the 8- and 28-day oral administration were similar to those of the control. The sperm count and activity were significantly improved compared with those of the control group at 8 and 28 days after 100, 200, and 400 mg of oral administration. CONCLUSIONS: The safety of the new formula and its positive effect on the sperm quality were observed after the oral administration of the formula.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Body Weight ; Cell Survival ; Cuscuta ; Epididymis ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; Leydig Cells ; Male ; Mice ; Phytotherapy ; Prevalence ; Seminal Vesicles ; Sperm Count ; Spermatozoa* ; Testis ; Weights and Measures

OBJECTIVETo identify comparatively several commercial Chinese herbal medicines and their counterfeits.

METHODThe micromorphological characters were identified. The shape, surface, section and other characters of the medicinal materials were identified by using anatomical lens and scanning apparatus. Pictures were taken and saved.

RESULTMain micromorphological differences between several Chinese herbal medicine including Lonicera macranthoides, L. similis, Cuminum cyminum, Plantago asiatica, Cuscuta chinensis, Sinapis alba, Salvia miltiorrhiza and their counterfeits were identified.

CONCLUSIONThe reference for the authenticity identification of Chinese herbal medicine and helpful experiences for the research of the same subject were provided.

Cuminum ; anatomy & histology ; classification ; Cuscuta ; anatomy & histology ; classification ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Plants, Medicinal ; anatomy & histology ; classification ; Quality Control ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; anatomy & histology ; classification ; Sinapis ; anatomy & histology ; classification

OBJECTIVETo study the oxidation damage of active oxygen (ROS) to human sperm acrosome and ultrastructure, and study the function mechanism about Cuscuta japonica treating male's infertility and asthenoospermia.

METHODBy using the Percoll gradient centrifugation, the sperm with normal physiological function were selected for the normal sperm model, and the sperm suspension were divided into the normal group, the model group, the positive control group (Vitamin C group), and the lugh, the median and the low dose gvoups of C. japonica. The ROS made from hypoxanthine-xanzine xanzine(HX-XO) and different content (0.125, 0.25, 0.5 g x mL(-1)) of extract were incubated with sperm in the oxygen environment. The acrosomic integrity rate were calculated and the sperm acrosome and ultrastructure were observed.

RESULTThe content (0.125, 0.5 g x mL(-1)) of extract had no obvious difference as compared with Vitamin C (0.25 mg x mL(-1)) in protecting the acrosome and ultrastructure, but the content (0.25 mg x mL(-1)) of extract was significantly better than Vit C (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONThe suitable content of extract from C. japonica can significantly protect the sperm membrane, the acosomic structure and the mitochondrion function from the damage caused by ROS.

Acrosome ; drug effects ; ultrastructure ; Adult ; Cuscuta ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Male ; Mitochondria ; drug effects ; ultrastructure ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Spermatozoa ; drug effects ; ultrastructure

OBJECTIVETo investigate influence of administration of Tujian decoction (Chinese herbal medicine) on protein kinase C (PKC) activity, renal function and structure in diabetic rat kidney.

METHODExperimental diabetic nephropathy model was induced by nephrectomy combined with streptozotocin (STZ) injection in sprague-dawley rat. Tujian decoction (20 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)) and Valsartan (20 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) were orally administrated respectively for 12 weeks. PKC activity was measured by [3H]phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate ([3H]PDBu) binding assay. 24 h urine protein excretion (Upro) and renal pathological changes were observed.

RESULTIn 12th week, diabetic nephrectomized rats developed proteinuria, glomerulosclerosis, increased membrane PKC activity (mPKC), decreased cytosol PKC (cPKC), and increased ratio of mPKC and cPKC (M/C). Administration of Tujian decoction or Valsartan led to a reduction in proteinuria, structural injury, mPKC and M/C, and a recovery in cPKC.

CONCLUSIONTujian decoction possesses a renoprotective effect on diabetic nephrectomized rat, at least partially via the inhibition of PKC activation in renal cortex.

Animals ; Cuscuta ; chemistry ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; enzymology ; pathology ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Euonymus ; chemistry ; Kidney Cortex ; enzymology ; Kidney Glomerulus ; pathology ; Male ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Protein Kinase C ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Tripterygium Glycosides Tablets has good anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities,but its reproductive damage is significant. Previous studies of the research group have found that Cuscutae Semen flavonoids can improve spermatogenic cell damage caused by Tripterygium Glycosides Tablets by regulating spermatogenic cell cycle,apoptosis and related protein expression,but the mechanism of action at the gene level is still unclear. In this study,Illumina high-throughput sequencing platform was applied in transcriptional sequencing of spermatogenic cells of rats after the intervention of Cuscutae Semen flavonoids and Tripterygium Glycosides Tablets. Differentially expressed genes were screened out and the GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis of differentially expressed genes were conducted to explore the mechanism of Cuscutae Semen flavonoids in improving reproductive injury caused by Tripterygium Glycosides Tablets. The results showed that 794 up-regulated genes and 491 down-regulated genes were screened in Tripterygium Glycosides Tablets group compared with the blank group. Compared with Tripterygium Glycosides Tablets,440 up-regulated genes and 784 down-regulated genes were screened in the Cuscutae Semen flavonoids+Tripterygium Glycosides Tablets group. Among them,the gene closely related to reproductive function is DNMT3 L. Analysis of GO function and KEGG signaling pathway enrichment showed that the above differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in cell,cell process,catalytic activity,binding,ovarian steroid synthesis,thyroid hormone and other functions and pathways. The thyroid hormone signaling pathway was the common enrichment pathway of the two control groups. In a word,Cuscutae Semen flavonoids has a good treatment effect on male reproductive damage caused by Tripterygium Glycosides Tablets. The mechanism may be closely related to up-regulation of DNMT3 L genes and intervention of thyroid hormone signaling pathway. At the same time,the discovery of many different genes provides valuable information for study on the mechanism of Cuscutae Semen flavonoids and Tripterygium Glycosides Tablets compatibility decreasing toxicity and increasing efficiency.
Animals ; Cuscuta ; chemistry ; DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases ; genetics ; Female ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Genitalia ; drug effects ; pathology ; Glycosides ; toxicity ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Male ; Rats ; Seeds ; chemistry ; Signal Transduction ; Tablets ; Thyroid Hormones ; genetics ; Transcriptome ; Tripterygium ; toxicity

AIM: To investigate the anti-inflammatory activities of the semen extract of Cuscuta chinensis Lam. (Cuscutae Semen; CS) on the production of inflammatory mediators, nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin 2 (PGE2), and proinflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 microglia. METHOD: BV-2 cells were treated with CS extract for 30 min, and then stimulated with LPS or without for 24 h. The levels of NO, PGE2 and proinflammatory cytokines were measured by Griess assay and ELISA. The expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 mRNA and protein was determined by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. The phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and the nuclear expression of nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65 were investigated by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: CS extract significantly decreased the production of NO and PGE2 by suppressing the expression of iNOS and COX-2 in activated microglia. CS extract decreased the production of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 by down-regulating their transcription levels. In addition, CS extract suppressed the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 MAPK, and the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 in activated microglia. CONCLUSION These results indicate that CS extract is capable of suppressing the inflammatory response by microglia activation, suggesting that CS extract has potential in the treatment of brain inflammation.
Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Cuscuta ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; metabolism ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Inflammation ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Inflammation Mediators ; metabolism ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Mice ; Microglia ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Phytotherapy ; Seeds ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Qianlie Huichun capsular on Fas expression and cell apoptosis of prostate gland tissue in the model rat.

METHODHypertrophy of prostate model rat was established by injecting testosterone to gelding male rats. After being treated with Qianlie Huichun ig 30 days, the rats were killed and prostate glands were resected for examination. The Fas expression was examined by immunobistochemical SABC. The cell apoptosis and the peak of cell apoptosis in the prostate gland of the rats were examined by flow cytometry. Compared with model group, the weight of prostage gland tissue in groups treated with Qianlie Huichun capsular was light (P < 0.01).

RESULTCompared with model group, the Fas expression in all treatment groups increase(P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with normal and model groups, cell apoptosis in all treatment groups increase at different level(P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe Qianlie Huchun capsular increases the Fas expression and cell apoptosis of model rats, and shows a definite treatment effect on the hypertrophy of prostate by promoting the apoptosis of prostate cell.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Arthropods ; chemistry ; Capsules ; Cuscuta ; chemistry ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Fallopia japonica ; chemistry ; Male ; Materia Medica ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Prostate ; metabolism ; pathology ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; fas Receptor ; metabolism