Identification and determination of (+)-sesamin in Semen Cuscutae by capillary GC and GC-MS

(+)-Sesamin was found in Semen Cuscutae for the first time. A rapid and simple approach for the analysis of(+)-sesamin in different sources of Semen Cuscutae is proposed, which used GC-FID for the determination of(+)-sesamin and CC-MS for its identification. The result suggested that this approach could be used to identify Semen Cuscutae from various sources based on the different content of(+)-sesamin in them.

Research Progress on Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Effect of Semen Cuscutae

In this paper,by summarizing the literature in recent years,it is considered that the chemical constituents of S.cuscutae are mainly flavonoids.The main pharmacological effects include improving osteoporosis,improving ovarian function,improving drug-induced reproductive toxicity,regulating spermatogenic cell apoptosis,resisting liver fibrosis,resisting inflammation,improving cardiovascular function,protecting fetus,protecting synapses and so on.By summarizing the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of S.cuscutae,this study aims to better study the mechanism of anti-osteoporosis based on the fact that S.cuscutae has the function of tonifying liver and kidney.

A Textual Research on Materia Medica of Origin of Orthonym and Synonym of Cuscutae Semen

A textual research on materia medica of origin of orthonym and synonym of Cuscutae Semen and synonym of Nu Luo was conducted in this study,and the trade name,regional synonym and nickname of Cuscutae Semen were reviewed.The records of orthonym and synonym of Cuscutae Semen in the past dynasties,and the first published literature and writing date of orthodox and synonym were summarized.The textual research showed that Nu Luo and Cuscutae Semen were not the same plant,which had positive significance for the identification of the origin and modern application of Cuscutae Semen.

Authenticity Survey of Cuscutae Semen on Markets Using DNA Barcoding

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.

Effect of the semen extract of Cuscuta chinensis on inflammatory responses in LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglia

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.