• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.349-356
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• 1998

The aim of the experiments was to investigate the effect of Semen Cuscutae aqua-acupuncture at the meridian point BL 20(脾兪) and BL 23(賢兪) on the blood pressure, plasma renin activity, plasma levels of aldosterone and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The results of this study were as follows: 1. Systolic blood pressure was decreased significantly after Semen Cuscutae aqua-acupuncture at the meridian point BL 20, BL 23. 2. Plasma renin activity was increased significantly after Semen Cuscutae aqua-acupuncture at meridian point BL 23, BL 20. 3. Plasma levels of aldosterone was increased significantly after Semen Cuscutae aqua-acupuncture at the meridian point BL 20. 4. Plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) was increased significantly after Semen Cuscutae aqua-acupuncture at the meridian point BL 23, but it was decreased significantly after Semen Cuscutae aqua-acupuncture at the meridian point BL 20. These results suggest that the changes of the depressor response after Semen Cuscutae aqua-acupuncture at the meridian point BL 20, BL 23 are related to the changes of the plasma renin activity, plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and aldosterone.

• Journal of Integrative Natural Science
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.115-121
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• 2008

This study was performed to examine the effect of ${\gamma}$-irradiation on the volatile organic compounds of Cuscutae Semen (Cuscuta chinensis L.). The volatile organic compounds of non-irradiated and 10 kGy ${\gamma}$-irradiated Cuscutae Semen were isolated using SDE apparatus and analyzed by GC/MS. Limonene, ethanol, (E)-2-decenal, hexadecanol, nonanoic acid and nonanal were detected as dominant compounds. Before irradiation, the total concentration of volatile organic compounds of Cuscutae Semen was approximately 189.90 mg/kg. After irradiation at 10 kGy, total concentrations increased to 299.46 mg/kg, but, the profile of volatile compounds including the essential oils of Cuscutae Semen was not differ from non- and irradiated sample. Therefore it was improved the extraction yield of useful compounds such as limonene, menthol, piperitone and isomenthone by irradiation.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.136-142
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• 2014

In an attempt to find natural sources of antioxidants and whitening agents, comparisons of the antioxidative and tyrosinase inhibitory activities of various ethanol extracts of Cuscutae Semen, Rubi Fructus and Paeoniae Radix were carried out. Comparison of the three ethanol extracts revealed that, Paeoniae Radix had the highest electron-donating ability(79.3%),; however, Rubi Fructus had the highest SOD-like ability(31.1%). The xanthine oxidase experiment exhibited a hindrance effect of 74.3% in Cuscutae Semen, 80.4% in Rubi Fructus and 60.8% in Paeoniae Radix. A tyrosinase inhibitory activity assay was conducted to evaluate the whitening effects of the extracts, The tyrosinase inhibitory activity was 20.1% in the Cuscutae Semen, 54.2% in the Rubi Fructus, 56.3% in the Paeoniae Radix. Based on these results, we suggest that the ethanol extracts of Cuscutae Semen, Rubi Fructus and Paeoniae Radix can be used as food and cosmetic ingredients.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.1-12
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• 2013

Objectives: This was study about identifying fine seed herbs that are highly mixed together: Celosiae Semen, Celoisae Cristatae Semen, Cuscutae Semen, Perillae Semen. Methods: In non-distinctive herbs through sensory test, we can find accurate discriminative points by using a stereoscope. As a result, a new discriminative key was completed. Results: We identified a comparison of herbs which are mixed up in distribution. 1) In the case of Celosiae Semen and Celoisae Cristatae Semen, Celoisae Cristatae Semen which is mixed up is bigger and more glossy and especially have the sunk umbilicus. 2) In the case of Cuscutae Semen and Perillae Semen, Perillae Semen is discriminated by characteristic morado netting surface and impression of fruit stalk in the single-ended. 3) In the case of Cuscutae Semen which is distributed in three species, we discriminated by beak shape, location of umbilicus and vomiting thread shape or not when put in water. (1) Cuscuta chinensis has a weak beaky shape, an umbilicus in center and is vomiting thread shape when put in water. (2) C. australis has very weak beaky shape, an umbilicus beneath and is vomiting thread shape when put in water. (3) C. japonica has clear beaky shape, an umbilicus beneath and is not vomiting thread shape when put in water. Conclusions: A stereoscope can be effectively used for identifying fine seed herbs hardly distinguishable by sensory tests.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.417-424
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• 2011

Ketoconazole (KET) is an antifungal drug with a broad spectrum of activity that also induces reproductive toxicity in humans and animals. KET inhibits C17-20 lyase which blocks the conversion of 17 ${\alpha}$-hydroxyprogesterone to androstenedione. The effect of Cuscutae semen(CS) extract against KET-induced testicular damage was evaluated in male rats. CS extract was administered orally (100 and 200 mg/kg) for 26 days. Three weeks after CS extract administration, KET was CS-administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 100 mg/kg once a day for 5 days. KET-induced reproductive toxicity was associated with clear reductions of the weights of testes and epididymides, sperm indices and serum testosterone levels. In addition, marked oxidative damage to testicular lipids and alterations of natural antioxidant enzymes were reported in association with KET toxicity. Most of the KET-induced effects were greatly decreased with the concomitant application of CS extract. This study suggests a protective role of Cuscutae semen extract that could be attributed to its antioxidant properties.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.46-51
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• 2008

In this study, the antioxidant and antimutagenic activities of Cuscutae semen ethanol extract were evaluated. Antioxidant activity was measured by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method and the Ames test was employed to determine the inhibition effect on mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium TA100. The extract showed significant free radical-scavenging activity towards the DPPH radical, and at a concentration of 400 ppm, its free radical-scavenging activity was similar to that of BHT. The $IC_{50}$ value of the extract was 89 ppm, indicating good antioxidant capacity. Moreover, at 5 mg/mL, the extract presented inhibitions of approximately 98.0% and 49.2% on mutagenicity induced by 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide and sodium azide, respectively. The total polyphenols and flavonoid contents of the extract were 20.1 mg/g and 1.9 mg/g, respectively. Therefore, this study indicates that the ethanolic extract of Cuscutae semen has excellent antioxidative and antimutagenic potential.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.193-200
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• 1988

Immunopotentiating activity of water extract of Lycii Fructus, Rubus Fructus, Torilis Fructus, Schizandrae Fructus and Cuscutae Semen were investigated using mouse fed with normal diet and protein deficient diet. Body weight, ratio of spleen or thymus to body weight, number of total peritoneal exudate cell, content of total serum protein and albumin content were decreased in the mouse fed with protein deficient diets as compared to the mouse fed with normal diet. Regardless of the nutritional condition, the supplement of the water extract of Lycii, Rubus Torilis, Schizandrae Fructus or Cuscutae Semen increased the ratio of spleen to body weight. The increment of this ratio was significant by the supplement of water extracts of Lycii and Torilis Fructus in mouse fed with protein deficient diet. The supplement of water extracts of Torilis Fructus to the mouse fed with protein deficient diet increased the content of total serum protein and albumin content significantly. Similar results were obtained with Lycii, Rubus, Schizandrae Fructus and Cuscutae Similar. The electrophorogram shows the difference in the concentration of some serum protein constituents between the mouse fed with normal diet and protein deficient diet.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.101-110
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• 2005

The present study was conducted to compare antioxidant activity of Cuscutae Semen, Psoraleae Fructus, Cnidii Fructus and Epimedii Herba by DPPH radical scavenging activity. The extract was studied using diphenyl-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) for DPPH method. DPPH radical scavenging activity was measured after. .10, 20 and 30 minutes. The extract was tested by 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 and $1000{\mu}g/ml$ concentrations. The results showed that the extract scavenged DPPH radical with time-dependent manner. Also, the extract showed dose-dependent DPPH radical scavenging activity. The extract of Cuscutae Semen, Psoraleae Fructus, Cnidii Fructus and Epimedii Herba scavenged DPPH radical with the IC50 being 2.7, 3.2, 2.9 and 1.1 mg/ml, respectively. In conclusion, the extract of Epimedii Herba, Cuscutae Semen, Cnidii Fructus and Psoraleae Fructus have antioxidant activity for the treatment of male sterility.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.1042-1047
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• 2002

Recently, many natural medicines, which have advantage of less side effects and possibility of long-term use, have been studied for their capacity and effects of anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and regenerative potential for periodontal tissues. Cortex Eucommiae, Eupoly phaga, Semen Cuscutae, Halloysitum Rubrum have been traditionally used as medicines for treatment of bone disease in Korea. The objective of the present study is to examine the ability of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in human fetal osteoblast cell line (hFOB1) with several natural medicines. hFOB1 added DMEM/F-12 were cultured with dexamethasone as a positive control, and with each natural medicine. ALP activity was measured by spectrophotometer for enzyme activity and naphthol AS-Bl staining was performed for morphometry. All of the natural medicines induced a higher ALP activity compared to negative control, especially, Cortex Eucommiae increased an ALP activity in all experimental groups (p<0.05). In naphthol AS-Bl staining, all of the natural medicines of this study increased the stained area compared to negative control. Especially, Cortex Eucommiae and Eupoly phaga showed statistical significance compared to negative control (p<0.05). These results indicate that Cortex Eucommiae, Eupoly phaga, Semen Cuscutae, Halloysitum Rubrum have an inducing ability of ALP synthesis on osteoblasts.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.94-104
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• 2001

Objective : The objective of tihs study is to study the effects of anti-cancer, anti-metastasis and effects of immune-response of aqua-acupuncture with Cuscutae Semen infusion solution. Methods : We observed, in-vitro, the cytotoxicity and the effect on the expression of MMP-9 gene, and in-vivo, change of body weight, surviving number, MST, ILS, changes in amount of WBC, RBC, PLT, GOT, GPT, creatinine, glucose and LDH, number of Pulmonary colony. Results : 1. The effect on expression of MMP-9 gene was decreased in all the sample groups in B16-F10 cell line, and was decreased in Lane 1, 2, 3 in HT1080 cell, compared with control group. 2. BALB/c mice which was transpianted S-180 cancer cell line were inhibited significantly in weight increase, in all the sample groups, compared with control group. 3. The sample groups injected in vein with B16-F10 cancer cell line in C57BL/6 mice did'nt show significant change in the number of WBC, RBC, PLT. 4. In immune experiment, all the sample groups showed having more relevancy to the effect on splenic cell proliferation than normal groups. 5. $IFN-{\gamma}$ and $TNF-{\alpha}$ in cytokine-gene were increased in all the sample groups than control group. 6. In flow cytometry of spienic cell, the numbers of CD4+ cell, CD8+ cell and CD19+ cell in sample groups were increased than in control group. Conclusion : Above the results showed that aqua-acupuncture of Cuscutae Semen infusion solution has effects of anti-cancer, anti-metastasis and immune response improvement.