Protective effect of polysaccharides isolated from the seeds of Cuscuta chinensis Lam. on 5-fluorouracil-induced intestinal mucositis in mice

Purpose: To evaluate the protective effect of Cuscuta chinensis Lam. polysaccharides (PCCL) on 5-fluorouracil-(5-FU)-induced intestinal mucositis (IM) in mice. Methods: PCCL was orally administered at a dose of 20 mg·kg­1 for 7 days and its protective effect on 5-FU-induced IM (5-FU, 50 mg·kg­1 for 5 days) was evaluated by monitoring changes in body weight, degree of diarrhea, levels of tissue inflammatory factors (tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 6, and interleukin 1ß levels), apoptosis rates, and the expression levels of caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2. Results: The severity of mucosal injury (as reflected by body weight changes, degree of diarrhea, height of villi, and damage to crypts) was significantly attenuated by PCCL administration. PCCL also reduced the levels of tissue inflammatory factors, the apoptosis rate, and the expression of caspase-3 and Bax, and increased Bcl-2 expression. Conclusions: PCCL administration may be significantly protective against 5-FU-induced IM by inhibiting apoptosis and regulating the abnormal inflammation associated with it.

Comparison of volatile components and principal component analysis of Cuscuta chinensis and its processed pro- ducts / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To compar e the volatile components of Cuscuta chinensis and its processed products ，and to conduct principal component analysis （PCA）. METHODS The volatile components of C. chinensis ，C. chinensis stir-frying with saltwater ， C. chinensis stir-frying with wine were identified by headspace solid phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography- mass spectrometry. The relative percentage of each component was calculated by area normalization method. The PCA was conducted by using SPSS 21.0 software. RESULTS A total of 117 compounds were identified from C. chinensis ，C. chinensis stir-frying with saltwater and C. chinensis stir-frying with wine ，of which 68 compounds were identified from C. chinensis （relative percentage of 92.41％），such as phytone ，2-methoxy-3-（2-propenl）phenol，n-pentadecane，β-caryophyllene. Sixty compounds （relative percentage of 89.41％） were identified from C. chinensis stir-frying with saltwater ，such as maltol ，2，3-dihydro- benzofuran，4-vinyl-2-methoxyphenol. Fifty-eight compounds （relative percentage of 87.02％）were identified from C. chinensis stir-frying with wine ，such as phenylethanol ，β-caryophyllene，macrocarehe D. There were 24 common components in the three ， and relative percentage of them were 38.56％，30.61％，33.07％，respectively. After processing ，there were 49 new components ， such as furfural ，n-hexanoic acid ，caryophyllene oxide. The results of PCA showed that the cumulative contribution rate of the former two principal components was 100％ ；comprehensive score of volatile components of C. chinensis was the highest ， followed by C. chinensis stir-frying with wine and C. chinensis stir-frying with saltwater. CONCLUSIONS The quality of volatile components in C. chinensis is good ；the volatile components in processed products are more than those in C. chinensis .

Direct acting substances discovery of estrogen effect of Cuscuta chinensis in vivo / 药学学报

The direct acting substances of Cuscuta chinensis in vivo were preliminarily identified through the correlation analysis of "metabolites-effect identification" model. The ovariectomized female rats were i.g administered with 95% ethanol extract part, 40% ethanol elution part and n-butanol extract part of Cuscuta chinensis. The serum fingerprints of different parts and times of administration were established by UPLC/Q-TOF-MS. At the same time, serum estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were detected. Bivariate correlation analysis and grey correlation analysis were used to screen estrogenic components. The results showed that nine direct acting substances in vivo highly related to estrogen effect were found in the drug containing serum, which were hyperoside, astragalin, methyl quercetin glucuronide, quercetin-diglucuronide, quercetin, apigenin, isoquercitrin, kaempferol glucuronide and kaempferol. We can preliminarily screen out the direct acting substance of estrogen effect of Cuscuta chinensis in vivo based on the research idea of serum spectrum effect correlation. It provides a reliable basis for revealing the estrogeneffective substances of Cuscuta chinensis and confirming the quality markers. This experiment was approved by Harbin University of Commerce Ethics Committees (Approval No. HSDU2020-065).

Immunohistochemical identification of GM-CSF in testis of rats with oligozoospermia with the intervention of Cuscuta chinensis flavonoids / Identificación inmunohistoquímica de GM-CSF en testículos de ratas con oligozoospermia con la intervención de flavonoides de Cuscuta chinensis

Oligozoospermia is a common infertility disease, and the incidence rate is increasing year by year. Cuscuta chinensis is a commonly used medicine for the treatment of oligozoospermia in Chinese medicine. Flavonoids are its main component. GM-CSF is a multifunctional cytokine that plays an important role in the inflammatory response. In this paper, we performed HE staining and immunohistochemical staining on the testis of rats with oligozoospermia. We intend to study the expression changes of GM-CSF in rats with oligospermia and the effect of flavonoids on the expression of GM-CSF in testis of rats with oligozoospermia.

La oligozoospermia es una enfermedad común de infertilidad, con una tasa de incidencia que aumenta año tras año. Cuscuta chinensis es un medicamento de uso común para el tratamiento de la oligozoospermia en la medicina china. Los flavonoides son su componente principal. GM-CSF es una citocina multifuncional que tiene un rol importante en la respuesta inflamatoria. En este trabajo, realizamos tinción con hematoxilina y eosina y tinción inmunohistoquímica en testículos de ratas con oligozoospermia. TNuestro objetivo fue estudiar los cambios de expresión de GM-CSF en ratas con oligozoospermia y el efecto de los flavonoides en la expresión de GM-CSF en testículos de ratas con oligozoospermia.

Progress on the clinical applications and pharmacological effects of Cuscuta chinensis in the treatment of ocular diseases / 药学实践杂志

Cuscuta chinensis is a commonly used traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Cuscuta chinensis has a long history of clinical application in the treatment of varieties of ocular diseases. This review summarized the literatures related to its clinical applications, research progresses in the ophthalmic pharmacology and active ingredients. It was aimed to provide a theoretical basis for the further development and utilization of Cuscuta Chinensis as an effective medication.

Screening and determination of estrogen-like quality markers of Cuscuta chinensis / 中草药

Objective: To preliminarily screen out the estrogen-like quality markers of small grain Cuscuta chinensis from Heilongjiang Province, so as to provide reference for its subsequent experimental research and quality control. Methods: UPLC- Q-TOFMS/MS was used to qualitatively analyze the extract of C. chinensis and the fingerprints of different polar fractions were established. The estrogenic activity of different polar fractions was evaluated with uterine coefficient, endometrial thickness and serum estrogen level of mice. The bivariate correlation analysis and gray relational analysis were used to construct the composition-activity relationship between chemicals and the effects of estrogen for screening quality markers. And the content determination methods of the five quality markers were established. Results: A total of 10 quality markers related to the estrogenic effect from C. chinensis were found in the positive and negative ion scanning modes. They were hyperoside, astragalin, stigmasterol, neocuscutoside C, apigenin, kaempferol, 6-O-(E)-p-coumaroyl-β-D-fructofuranosyl-(2→1)-α-D-glucopyranoside, quercetin, isorhamnetin, and 2,6-octadecadiynoic acid. The contents of the five quality markers were determined as follows: hyperoside (2.753 ± 0.097) mg/g, quercetin (1.139 ± 0.107) mg/g, apigenin (1.104 ± 0.047) mg/g, kaempferol (1.144 ± 0.079) mg/g and isorhamnetin (0.697 ± 0.074) mg/g. Conclusion: The quality markers of small grain C. chinensis from Heilongjiang Province can be screened out according to the composition-activity relationship, and the method for the detect the concentrations of the quality markers is accurate and stable.

Development and Validation of HPLC-PDA Method and Pattern Recognition Analyses Using Eight Marker Compounds for the Quality Control Between the Seeds of Cuscuta chinensis Lam. and Cuscuta japonica Choisy

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.

Improved antimelanogenesis and antioxidant effects of polysaccharide from Cuscuta chinensis Lam seeds after enzymatic hydrolysis

Cuscuta chinensis polysaccharide (CPS) was extracted using hot water and enzymatically hydrolyzed C. chinensis polysaccharide (ECPS) was produced by the mannase enzymatic hydrolysis process. The purpose of this research was to investigate the antimelanogenic activity of ECPS and CPS in B16F10 melanoma cells. The in vitro antioxidant activity was assessed by their ferric iron reducing power and DPPH free radical scavenging activities. The molecular mass distribution of polysaccharides was determined using SEC-MALLS-RI. CPS was successfully enzymatically degraded using mannase and the weighted average molecular weights of CPS and ECPS were 434.6 kDa and 211.7 kDa. The results of biological activity assays suggested that the enzymatically hydrolyzed polysaccharide had superior antimelanogenic activity and antioxidant effect than the original polysaccharide. ECPS exhibited antimelanogenic activity by down-regulating the expression of tyrosinase, MITF, and TRP-1 without cytotoxic effects in B16F10 melanoma cells. In conclusion, ECPS have the potential to become a skin whitening product.

Determination of seven effective constituents in crude and processed Cuscuta australis by quantitative analysis of multi-components with single marker / 中草药

Objective To establish a quantitative analysis of multi-components with single marker (QAMS) for the simultaneous determination of chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenin acid, caffeic acid, hyperoside, isoquercitrin, astragalin, kaempferol in crude and processed Cuscuta australis, which is proved to be a scientific and feasible method in the quality analysis in C. australis. Methods Six relative correction factors (RCFs) of chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenin acid, caffeic acid, isoquercitrin, astragalin, kaempferol was established in the HPLC method with the hyperoside as the internal standard (IS), which was to calculate the mass fraction of each. The mass fraction of seven effective constituents in crude and processed C. australis was calculated by the external standard method (ESM) at the same time. Compared with the content results determined by the ESM and QAMS, the feasibility and accuracy of QAMS method were verified. Results The relative correction factor (RCF) was perfect. The detection calculated by QAMS was consistent with the results by ESM. Conclusion The method with a single marker, using the hyperoside as IS, is accurate and feasible for the quantitative analysis of six other effective constituents in C. australis.

Qualitative analysis of metabolites of ethanol extract of Cuscuta chinensis by HPLC-Q/TOF MS/MS / 中草药

Objective To qualitatively analyze the chemical constituents in rats after intragastric administration of estrogenically active ethanol extract of Cuscuta chinensis. Methods The high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-Q/TOF MS/MS) was used to identify the prototypes and metabolites in rat urine. Results Twelve chemical constituents were identified in the drug-containing urine, including six prototypes and six metabolites. The prototypes are kaemoferol-3-β-D-glucuronide, 6-O-(E)-p-coumaroyl-β-D-fructofuranosyl-(2→1)-α-D-glucopyranoside, aempferol-7-rhamnoside, chlorogenic acid, and apigenin. The metabolites are p-hydroxycinnamic acid, p-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid, isorhamnetin, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, acetyl caffeic acid, and quercetin sulfate. Conclusion The method of HPLC-Q/TOF MS/MS is simple and rapid for the analysis of prototype components and metabolites in rats urine after oral administration of ethanol extract of C. chinensis, providing the basis for further clarification of the estrogen material basis of C. chinensis.

Analysis of Metabolic Components of Estrogenic Sites of Cuscuta chinensis in Serum and Feces of Rats / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To identify the metabolites of Cuscuta chinensis in the serum and feces of rats with estrogenic estrogen, and to provide the basis for elucidating the pharmacological basis of its efficacy. METHODS: Using the HPLC-ESI-MS/MS technique, the molecular weight and molecular formula of the compounds were preliminarily estimated by the first-order mass spectrometry, and the chemical constituents of serum and feces were characterized by the retention time of the standard, the fragment ion information, the fragmentation law of mass spectrometry and the reference data. RESULTS: Five prototypic components and 4 metabolites were identified in the serum. A total of 11 chemical constituents were identified in the feces after administration, including 5 prototype components and 6 metabolites. CONCLUSION: Through the comparative analysis between serum and feces, the main metabolic pathways of Cuscuta chinensis compound are deduced, which provides reference for the basic research on the estrogenic substance of Cuscuta chinensis.

Essential oil composition, carotenoid profile, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the parasitic plant Cuscuta mitraeformis / Composición del aceite esencial, perfil de carotenoides, actividades antioxidantes y antimicrobianas de la planta parásita Cuscuta mitraeformis

The chemical composition of the essential oil and carotenoid content of the parasitic plant Cuscuta mitraeformis are described for the first time. The essential oil was analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS revealing nonanal (24.6%) as the main constituent followed by thymol (16.5%) and eugenol (7.5%). The total carotenoid content (130 mg 100 g-1 FW) was determined by HPLC-DAD. The carotenoid fraction contained ß-carotene (76.4 mg 100 g-1 FW) and lutein (18.9 mg 100 g-1 FW) as the most abundant compounds. A weak antioxidant activity was observed by the essential oil against DPPH radical (IC50, 1.4 mg mL-1), whereas a strong antioxidant activity was determined for the carotenoid fraction (IC50, 60.1 µg mL-1). The essential oil inhibited the growth of Clavibacter michiganensis, Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato and Erwinia carotovora with minimum inhibitory concentrations of 122.5, 184.5, 234.2 µg mL-1, respectively.

La composición química del aceite esencial y el contenido de carotenoides de la planta parásita Cuscuta mitraeformis se describen por primera vez. El aceite esencial fue analizado por GC-FID y GC-MS siendo el nonanal (24.6%) el constituyente principal seguido del timol (16.5%) y el eugenol (7.5%). El contenido total de carotenoides (130 mg 100 g-1 PF) fue determinado por HPLC-DAD. La fracción de carotenoides contuvo ß-caroteno (76.4 mg 100 g-1 PF) y luteína (18.9 mg 100 g-1 PF) como compuestos mayoritarios. Fue observada una actividad antioxidante débil por parte del aceite esencial frente al radical DPPH (IC50, 1.4 mg mL-1), mientras que una fuerte actividad antioxidante fue determinada para la fracción de carotenoides (IC50, 60.1 µg mL-1). El aceite esencial inhibió el crecimiento de Clavibacter michiganensis, Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato y Erwinia carotovora con una concentración mínima inhibitoria de 122.5, 184.5, 234.2 µg mL-1, respectivamente.

Authenticity Survey of Cuscutae Semen on Markets Using DNA Barcoding / 中草药·英文版

Objective Using authentic raw herbal materials is fundamental to herbal medicine quality. Cuscuta chinensis and C. australis are two important species of Cuscutae Semen recorded in Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Due to having tiny bodies of seeds, it is extremely difficult to differentiate them from adulterants and closely related species by morphologic characteristics, leading to serious safety problems. Methods In this study, we developed a fast and efficient method to identify Cuscutae Semen on the market. First, a total of 207 ITS2 sequences representing 45 related species of Cuscutae Semen were collected to construct a standard DNA barcode database, then 33 commercial samples purchased from markets were analyzed by BLAST, and Neighbor-joining tree was used to verify the efficacy of the database. Results The percentage of counterfeits and adulterants in the 33 commercial samples were up to 69.7%, and only 10 commercial products were found to be genuine. The adulterated species included 11 species (Amaranthus hybridus, Brassica carinata, Brassica juncea var. megarrhiza, Chenopodium album, Corispermum heptapotamicum, Cuscuta alata, Cuscuta japonica, Cuscuta monogyna, Foeniculum vulgare, Glycine max, and Medicago sativa). Conclusion DNA barcoding is a fast and efficient method to identify Cuscutae Semen on the market.

Study on fingerprints of Wuzi Yanzong Prescription-medicinal materials based on peak pattern matching / 中草药

Objective: To establish the HPLC-DAD fingerprints of Wuzi Yanzong Prescription (WYP) and to identify the characteristic peaks ion and preparations-medicinal materials peak pattern matching. Methods: The HPLC-DAD analysis was carried out using acetonitrile-0.4% phosphate acid aqueous solution at the flow out on a Waters Symmetry® C18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm), using a mobile phase of rate of 1.0 mL/min. The detection wavelength was set at 254 nm and column temperature was maintained at 35 ℃. Similarity on 12 batches of WYP was estimated, and peak pattern matching of the original medicine was conducted. Results: The results showed that 24 common peaks were defined as follows: The peaks No. 1 was gallic acid, No. 4 was geniposidic acid, No. 8 was chlorogenic acid, No.19 was hyperin, No. 20 was isoquercitrin, No. 21 was acteoside, No. 22 was kaempferol 3-rutinoside, and No. 23 was isoacteoside. The peak pattern matching showed that WYP had 8 (No. 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, and 18), 10 (No. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 19, 20, and 24), 7 (No. 1, 3, 7, 13, 14, 17, and 22), 3 (No. 4, 21, 23), and 1 (No. 3) matching peaks with Lycium barbarum, Cuscuta chinensis, Rubus chingii, Plantago asiatica, and Schisandra chinensis, respectively. The fingerprint similarity among the samples was all over 0.959. The fingerprint similarity between the chromatographic control fingerprint and samples was all over 0.979. Conclusion: Similarity evaluation combined with the peak matching of fingerprint for WYP could provide the scientific and simplicity methods for its identification and quality control.

Dynamic Changes of Four Main Active Components in Wine-processed Cuscuta Chinensis with Different Processing Methods / 中国药师

Objective:To study the dynamic changes of the main active components in wine-processed Cuscuta chinensis with dif-ferent rocessing methods. Methods: An HPLC method was adopted for the content determination of chlorogenic acids, hyperoside, quercetin and kaempferol in C. chinensis and wine-processed C. chinensis with different baking temperature, baking time and amount of yellow wine. The chromatographic conditions were as follows: the detection wavelength was 360 nm, and methanol-0. 1% phosphoric acid was used as the mobile phase with gradient elution. Results:The wine processing system could increase the content of quercetin and kaempferol, while decrease the content of chlorogenic acids and hyperin. Conclusion: Different processing methods have certain effects on the main active components, which provide basis for the further study on the processing mechanism and quality control of wine-processed C. chinensis.

Analysis on Volatile Components in Cuscuta chinensis from Different Habitats by HS-SPME-GC-MS / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To establish a method for analyzing the volatile components in Cuscuta chinensis,and compare the difference of the volatile components in C. chinensis. METHODS:HS-SPME-GC-MS was adopted:sampling amount was 1.0 g, extracting fibers was 65 μm PDMS/DVB,equilibrium temperature was 120 ℃,equilibrium time was 15 min,extraction time was 30 min,resolution time was 3 min;GC conditions:the column was HP-5MS quartz capillary column,programmed temperature, inlet temperature was 230 ℃,carrier gas was high purity helium,the flow rate was 1.0 ml/min,splitless injection;MS condi-tions:ion source was electron ionization,temperature was 230 ℃,quadrupole temperature was 150 ℃,electron energy was 70 eV,photomultiplier tube voltage was 1.2 kV,the interface temperature was 280 ℃,and scanning range was m/z 35-550. Com-bined with the qualitative analysis for volatile components of C. chinensis from different habitats by HP ChemStation,the relative content was calculated by peak area normalization,and the data was analyzed by principal component analysis and cluster analysis. RESULTS:Totally 52 components were identified,9 of which were the common components in C. chinensis,namely leaf alcohol, 1-octene-3-ol,3-octanol,malt alcohol,diethyl phthalate,caryophyllene,nonaldehyde,octanol and palmitic acid. sample 1,2,3 were clustered into a group,then clustered with 4,5,6 into a group,sample 7,8,9 was clustered into a group,then clustered with 10,11,12 into a group,and sample 13,14,15 clustered into a group individually. CONCLUSIONS:The method is stable and reliable,and suitable for the rapid analysis of volatile components in C. chinensis;and differences of volatile components in C. chinensis from diflerent habitats are discernible.

Quantitative Analysis of Four Flavonoids in Salt-processed Cuscuta chinensis with Different Processing Meth-ods / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of different processing methods on 4 kinds of flavonoids contents in salt-pro-cessed Cuscuta chinensis. METHODS:Salt-processed C. chinensis piece was processed with different baking temperature (70 ℃, 100℃,130℃,160℃,190℃and 210℃),baking time(10 min,15 min,30 min,45 min,60 min and 75 min)and moisten-ing time(0.5 h,1 h,2 h,4 h and 6 h). HPLC was adopted for contents determination of hyperoside,rutin,quercetin and kaemp-ferol:the column was Synergi 4u Hydro-Rp 80A with mobile phase of methanol- 0.1% phosphoric acid (gradient elution) at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min,the detection wavelength was 360 nm,and column temperature was 35 ℃. RESULTS:The linear range was 0.416-12.48 μg for hyperoside (r=0.999 9),0.14-4.2 μg for rutin (r=0.999 9),0.185-5.55 μg for quercetin (r=0.999 9) and 0.078-2.34 μg (r=0.999 8);RSDs of precision,stability and reproducibility tests were lower than 3%;recoveries were 95.55%-99.74%(RSD=2.12%,n=6),95.96%-101.42%(RSD=2.01%,n=6),95.76%-102.75%(RSD=2.77%,n=6), 99.42%-104.93%(RSD=2.02%,n=6). The flavonoids in salt-processed C. chinensis showed highest contents when baking tem-perature was 160℃,baking time was 60 min and moistening time was 2 h. CONCLUSIONS:Different processing methods have certain effects on flavonoids contents in salt-processed C. chinensis.

Notes on social wasps of the group of Mischocyttarus(Omega) punctatus (Ducke), with description of six new species (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Polistinae)

ABSTRACTA revision of the taxonomic status and an identification key for wasp species of the genus Mischocyttarus related to M. punctatus (Ducke, 1904) are presented here. Six new species are proposed (M. tayrona Silveira sp. nov.; M. anchicaya Silveira sp. nov.; M. caxiuana Silveira sp. nov.; M. verissimoi Silveira sp. nov.; M. rodriguesi Silveira sp. nov.; M. ryani Silveira sp. nov.), raising to nine the number of species in the M. punctatus group. The highest diversity of the group concentrates in northern South America, in Andean areas and Amazonia. New information concerning the very peculiar nests of these wasps is also given.

A comparative estimation of quercetin content from Cuscuta reflexa Roxb.using validated HPTLC and HPLC techniques.

HPTLC and HPLC are two most widely accepted methods for determination of natural products. Present research work envisages microwave assisted extraction of quercetin from hydroethanolic extract of Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. (Cuscutaceae), an unusual parasitic vine. Further, chromatographic characterization of hydroethanolic extract of C. reflexa was carried out in terms of quercetin content using two validated methods (HPTLC and RP-HPLC). Confirmation of the presence of quercetin in the samples was carried out using Mass Spectrometry. HPTLC separation of quercetin was achieved on an aluminum-backed layer of silica gel 60 F254 using Toluene: ethyl acetate and formic acid as mobile phase while RP-HPLC was performed on Cosmosil C18-column (150 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 μm) using mobile phase comprising of 0.025 M NaH2PO4 buffer – ACN (pH - 2.6) at a flow rate of 1.2 mL/min. ICH guidelines were followed for validation of both the the chromatographic methods. Samples of C. reflexa collected from different regions of India and growing on different hosts were also screened for their quercetin content. The developed chromatographic methods described here were found to be simple, rapid, accurate and sensitive.

Effect of the semen extract of Cuscuta chinensis on inflammatory responses in LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglia / 中国天然药物

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.