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BACKGROUND: Semen cuscutae has the effect of tonifying the liver and kidney system and benefiting the essence. The main pathogenesis of osteoarthritis is deficiency of the liver and kidneys. Therefore, it is hypothesized that there is a link between semen cuscutae and osteoarthritis. OBJECTIVE: To explore the potential relationship between osteoarthritis and semen cuscutae and validate the mechanism of semen cuscutae based on the network pharmacology and molecular docking analysis. METHODS: First, the active ingredients and targets of semen cuscutae were screened in TCMSP, and the genes related to osteoarthritis were collected in the disease databases GeneCard’s, OMIM and TTD. The intersected genes were taken and then subjected to a series of analyses and screened for hub genes. Through the enrichment analysis of hub genes, the pathway of semen cuscutae acting on osteoarthritis was selected. The role of hub genes was verified by molecular docking. Therefore, the appropriate active ingredients of semen cuscutae were selected for experimental verification. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There were 11 active ingredients of semen cuscutae, 66 intersection target genes of semen cuscutae and osteoarthritis, and 12 hub genes, including tumor necrosis factor, interleukin 1B, TP53, RAC-alpha serine/threonine protein kinase (AKT1), vascular endothelial growth factor A, matrix metalloproteinase 9, prostaglandin peroxidase 2, cystatinase 3, epidermal growth factor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, interleukin 10, vascular cell adhesion factor 1. After the enrichment analysis of the hub genes, the classical inflammatory pathway, nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway, was selected for subsequent validation of semen cuscutae to alleviate osteoarthritic inflammation. Through the results obtained after molecular docking of each active ingredient and the hub gene of the pathway prostaglandin peroxidase 2, sesamin with the highest affinity was selected for subsequent cell experiments, and the experimental results confirmed that sesamin, the active ingredient of semen cuscutae, could reduce the expression of cyclooxygenase 2 by inhibiting the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway induced by interleukin-1β. To conclude, sesamin, the active ingredient of semen cuscutae, reduces the expression of cyclooxygenase 2 by inhibiting the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway induced by interleukin-1β, thereby improving inflammation in osteoarthritis and expanding the therapeutic effect of semen cuscutae in osteoarthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To observe the ameliorative effect of ethanol extract of semen cuscutae on postmenopausal osteoporosis in rats and to explore its mechanism. Methods Female SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group, sham operation group, model group, estrogen control group, low-dose semen cuscutae group, and high-dose semen cuscutae group, with 10 rats in each group. In addition to normal group and sham operation group, bilateral ovariectomy was performed in all groups to establish postmenopausal osteoporosis models. In the sham operation group, the adipose tissues around the ovary were removed after the ovary was exposed, but the ovary was not removed. Rats in the normal group were fed without any treatment. Starting from two weeks after modeling, rats in the low-dose semen cuscutae group and highdose semen cuscutae group were given ethanol extract of semen cuscutae by gavage at 0. 7 and 1. 4 g/kg, respectively; rats in the estrogen control group were given non-steroidal estrostilbestrol by gavage; rats in the normal group, sham operation group and model group were given equal volume of normal saline by gavage for 12 weeks. The bone mineral density (BMD) of rat femur was detected by dual-energy X-ray, and the pathological morphology of femur was observed by HE staining. The miR-21-5p of femur was detected by RT-PCR, and Fas ligand (FasL) protein of femur was detected by Western blotting. Results The bone mineral density of femur in the model group was lower than that in the normal group and sham operation group, and the bone mineral density of femur was higher in the estrogen control group, low-dose semen cuscutae group and high-dose semen cuscutae group than in the model group (all P<0. 05). Cortical periosteum and endosteum were smooth, trabecular shape was basically the same, and only slight cancellous bone changes appeared in the cortical area. In the model group, bone trabeculae became thinner, interval became wider, disconnected and was disordered, and there were serious cancellous bone changes in the cortical region. Compared with the model group, the bone trabecular distance decreased to different degrees, and the cortical cancellous bone changes became lighter in the estrogen control group, low-dose semen cuscutae group and high-dose semen cuscutae group. The expression of miR-21-5p in femur tissues of the model group was higher than that of the normal group and sham operation group, and the expression of miR-21-5p in the estrogen control group, low-dose semen cuscutae group and high-dose semen cuscutae group was lower than that of model group (all P<0. 05). The expression of FasL protein in femur tissues of the model group was lower than that of the normal group and sham operation group, and that of estrogen control group, low-dose semen cuscutae group and high-dose semen cuscutae group was higher than that of the model group (all P<0. 05). Conclusion Ethanol extract of semen cuscutae can improve postmenopausal osteoporosis in rats, and the mechanism may be related to the regulation of miR-21-5p and its downstream protein FasL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This paper aims to analyse the active components of Semen cuscutae (SC) by network pharmacology and screen the most stable compounds with tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) by molecular docking to explore the mechanisms of SC treatment of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) and provide a theoretical basis for drug development.Methods: The active compounds of SC and the potential inflammatory targets of RSA were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology database and GeneCards, respectively. The RSA-SC target gene interaction network was obtained and visualized using the STRING database and Cytoscape software. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were obtained from DAVID to further explore the RSA mechanism and therapeutic effects of SC. Interactions between TNF-α and drugs were analysed by molecular docking. Treatment of human trophoblast cells with sesamin and TNF-α was carried out to detect their proliferative and apoptotic abilities, and WB assay was carried out to detect EGFR, PTGS2, and CASP3 protein expression.Results: Ten compounds and 128 target genes were screened from SC, of which 79 overlapped with RSA target inflammatory genes, which were considered potential therapeutic targets. Network pharmacological analysis showed that sesamin, matrine, matrol, and other SC compounds had a good correlation with the inflammatory target genes of RSA. Related genes included PGR, PTGS1, PTGS2, TGFB1, and CHRNA7. Several signalling pathways are involved in the pathogenesis of RSA, such as the TNF-α signalling pathway, HIF-1 signalling pathway, oestrogen signalling pathway, proteoglycans in cancer cells, and FoxO signalling pathway. Molecular docking results suggested that sesamin was the most suitable natural tumour necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi). Sesamin can promote proliferation and inhibit apoptosis in human trophoblasts by downregulating EGFR and CASP3 expression and upregulating PTGS2 expression.Conclusion: Our findings play an important role and basis for further research into the molecular mechanism of SC treatment of RSA and drug development of TNFi.

Background: We determined the effects of Cuscutae semen (Cuscuta chinensis Lam. or Cuscuta australis R. Br.)–Radix rehmanniae praeparata (Rehjnannia glutinosa Libosch.) on the protein levels in testicular tissues of rats gavaged with tripterygium wilfordii multiglycosides (GTW) and elucidated the molecular mechanism underlying Cuscutae semen–Radix rehmanniae praeparata for relieving GTW-induced reproductive injury.Methods: A total of 21 male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into the control group, model group, and Cuscutae semen–Radix rehmanniae praeparata group based on their body weights. The control group was given 10 mLkg−1 of 0.9% normal saline by gavage daily. The model group (GTW group) was administered with 12 mg kg-1 GTW by gavage daily. Cuscutae semen–Radix rehmanniae praeparata group (the TSZSDH group) was administered with 1.56 gkg−1 of Cuscutae semen–Radix rehmanniae praeparata granules daily according to their model group dosing. The serum levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, estradiol, and testosterone were measured after 12 weeks of continuous gavage, and the pathological lesion of testicular tissues was observed. Differentially expressed proteins were evaluated by quantitative proteomics and verified by western blotting (WB) and Real-Time Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR).Results: Cuscutae semen–Radix rehmanniae praeparata can effectively relieve pathological lesions of GTW-induced testicular tissues. A total of 216 differentially expressed proteins were identified in the TSZSDH group and model group. High-throughput proteomics revealed that differentially expressed proteins are closely associated with the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway, protein digestion and absorption, and protein glycan pathway in cancer. Cuscutae semen–Radix rehmanniae praeparata can significantly upregulate the protein expressions of Acsl1, Plin1, Dbil5, Plin4, Col12a1, Col1a1, Col5a3, Col1a2, Dcn, so as to play a protective role on testicular tissues. Acsl1, Plin1, and PPARγ on the PPAR signaling pathway were verified by WB and RT-qPCR experiments, which were found to be consistent with the results of proteomics analysis.Conclusion: Cuscutae semen and Radix rehmanniae praeparata may regulate the PPAR signaling pathway mediated Acsl1, Plin1 and PPARγ to reduce the testicular tissue damage of male rats caused by GTW.

Objective To investigate the effects of Semen Cuscutae-Lycium barbarum pair on spermatogonia proliferation and apoptosis, as well as PI3K/ Akt pathway activation for providing a theoretical support of supplementing kidney spermatogenic treatment on male infertility. Methods A total of 20 normal SD rats were randomly divided into four groups such as the blank control group, the Tripterygium wilfordii multi-glycoside group, the levocamitine group, and Semen Cuscutae-Lycium barbarum group. Serum containing medicine were respectively collected from the treated rats in four groups, and was used to intervene spermatogonia for observing Pl3K/ Akt pathway activation. Results Compared with those in the Tripterygium wilfordii multi-glycoside group, the expressions of PI3K, p-Akt and bcl-2 were significant upregulated in the Semen Cuscutae-Lycium barbarum group (P < 0. 05 or 0. 01), whereas the expressions of BAD, BAX were downregulated (P > 0. 05 or 0. 01). Conclusion Semen Cuscuta-lycium barbarum pair can improve spermatogonia dysfunction, and its underlying mechanism may be related to PI3K/ Akt pathway activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: This paper aims to analyse the active components of Semen cuscutae (SC) by network pharmacology and screen the most stable compounds with tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) by molecular docking to explore the mechanisms of SC treatment of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) and provide a theoretical basis for drug development. Methods: The active compounds of SC and the potential inflammatory targets of RSA were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology database and GeneCards, respectively. The RSA-SC target gene interaction network was obtained and visualized using the STRING database and Cytoscape software. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were obtained from DAVID to further explore the RSA mechanism and therapeutic effects of SC. Interactions between TNF-α and drugs were analysed by molecular docking. Treatment of human trophoblast cells with sesamin and TNF-α was carried out to detect their proliferative and apoptotic abilities, and WB assay was carried out to detect EGFR, PTGS2, and CASP3 protein expression. Results: Ten compounds and 128 target genes were screened from SC , of which 79 overlapped with RSA target inflammatory genes, which were considered potential therapeutic targets. Network pharmacological analysis showed that sesamin, matrine, matrol, and other SC compounds had a good correlation with the inflammatory target genes of RSA. Related genes included PGR, PTGS1, PTGS2, TGFB1, and CHRNA7. Several signalling pathways are involved in the pathogenesis of RSA, such as the TNF-α signalling pathway, HIF-1 signalling pathway, oestrogen signalling pathway, proteoglycans in cancer cells, and FoxO signalling pathway. Molecular docking results suggested that sesamin was the most suitable natural tumour necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi). Sesamin can promote proliferation and inhibit apoptosis in human trophoblasts by downregulating EGFR and CASP3 expression and upregulating PTGS2 expression. Conclusion: Our findings play an important role and basis for further research into the molecular mechanism of SC treatment of RSA and drug development of TNFi., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Zheng, Lei, Yao, Zhan, Zhang and Zhou.)

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semen Cuscutae, which mainly consisted of flavonoids, is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine and used for nourishing the liver and kidneys. The aim of this study was to develop a sensitive and selective UPLC-MS/MS method for simultaneous separation and determination of six main active renoprotective components of Hyperoside, Astragalin, Isoquercitrin, Quercitrin, Quercetin, and Kaempferol from Semen Cuscutae in rat plasma, and to reveal the pharmacokinetic differences between normal and kidney deficient rats. The validated method has been successfully applied to comparing pharmacokinetic profiles of the six analytes in rat plasma. The results indicated that there was significant difference in pharmacokinetic parameters of the six analytes between two groups, while absorptions in kidney deficient group were significantly lower than those in normal group. This study would be helpful for evaluating the Semen Cuscutae as renoprotective drug candidates for pre-clinical and clinical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, image analysis and electronic nose analysis were used to develop a rapid, reliable and undamaged method of identifying the Semen cuscutae and its adulterants including radish seed and Sinapis alba seeds. The results showed that the highest identification rate was 100% for the training set and 96.5% for the test set based on image analysis and various chemometric techniques including principal component analysis, linear discriminant analysis (LDA), k-nearest neighbor, random forests, artificial neural network and support vector machine analysis. LDA analysis based on electronic nose analysis exhibited better discrimination result, ranging from 95.5–100% for the correct classification rate and 95.4–100% for the cross-validation rate, respectively. LDA model based on electronic nose data from 16 to 30 s was the best, and both the correct classification rate and cross-validation rate reached 100%. These results provided a simple, fast and non-destructive method to identify the true and false of Semen cuscutae, which can serve as a reference to identify the authenticity of the medicinal plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Dienzyme-assisted salting-out extraction of flavonoids from the seeds of Cuscuta chinensis Lam was realized. • Cellulase and protease were used to promote dissolution of pharmaceutical components. • A flavonoids yield of 18.75 mg/g was obtained. Abstract The extraction process involving enzymatic treatment and salting-out extraction was developed to accelerate dissolution of flavonoids from the hard compact seeds of Cuscuta chinensis Lam. A combination of enzymes (cellulase and protease) provided higher flavonoid yields than single enzyme. The optimum enzymatic conditions were 5% acidic cellulase, 5% neutral protease, pH 4.5, 45 °C, and 45 min. The salting-out extraction used ammonium sulfate and ethanol (1:2, w/v). Flavonoid yields as high as 18.75 mg/g were obtained from Semen cuscutae under the optimum conditions. Results also showed that the antioxidant properties of the flavonoids were correlated with their contents dirrectly guided by the scavenging activity of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical. The extraction process could be used for mass production of flavonoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semen cuscutae is a well-known Chinese medicine which has been used to nourish kidney. It is the first study to demonstrate that the polysaccharides from semen cuscutae showed significant activity of nourishing kidney-yang by increasing the levels of testosterone and estradiol, decreasing the level of blood urea nitrogen, improving immune function, possessing antioxidant effect. Three homogeneous polysaccharides were obtained by DEAE-cellulose and Sephacryl S-400 which were named as C-7WR1, C-7WR2 and C-7WR3 with average molecular weight of 7.59 × 10 4 , 3.23 × 10 4 and 2.25 × 10 4 respectively. C-7WR1 was composed of fructose: mannose = 0.02:1. C-7WR2 was composed of fructose: mannose: xylose: arabinose = 0.01:1:0.14:0.33. C-7WR3 was composed of fructose: mannose: xylose: arabinose = 0.01:1:0.10:0.47. They mainly contained mannose. Their fourier transform infrared features were similar. They all had no nucleic acid and protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semen Cuscutae is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine and contains a series of compounds such as flavonoids, chlorogenic acids and lignans. In this study, we identified different kinds of compositions by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (MS). A total of 45 compounds were observed, including 20 chlorogenic acids, 23 flavonoids and 2 lignans. 23 of them are reported for the first time including 6-O-caffeoyl-β-glucose, 3-O-(4′-O-Caffeoylglucosyl) quinic acid, etc. Their structures were established by retention behavior, extensive analyses of their MS spectra and further determined by comparison of their MS data with those reported in the literature. As chlorogenic acids and flavonoids are phenolic compounds that are predominant in Semen Cuscutae, in conclusion, phenolic compounds are the major constituents of Semen Cuscutae.

Background: We determined the effects of Cuscutae semen ( Cuscuta chinensis Lam. or Cuscuta australis R. Br.)-Radix rehmanniae praeparata ( Rehjnannia glutinosa Libosch.) on the protein levels in testicular tissues of rats gavaged with tripterygium wilfordii multiglycosides (GTW) and elucidated the molecular mechanism underlying Cuscutae semen-Radix rehmanniae praeparata for relieving GTW-induced reproductive injury. Methods: A total of 21 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the control group, model group, and Cuscutae semen-Radix rehmanniae praeparata group based on their body weights. The control group was given 10 mLkg -1 of 0.9% normal saline by gavage daily. The model group (GTW group) was administered with 12 mg kg -1 GTW by gavage daily. Cuscutae semen-Radix rehmanniae praeparata group (the TSZSDH group) was administered with 1.56 gkg -1 of Cuscutae semen-Radix rehmanniae praeparata granules daily according to their model group dosing. The serum levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, estradiol, and testosterone were measured after 12 weeks of continuous gavage, and the pathological lesion of testicular tissues was observed. Differentially expressed proteins were evaluated by quantitative proteomics and verified by western blotting (WB) and Real-Time Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR). Results: Cuscutae semen-Radix rehmanniae praeparata can effectively relieve pathological lesions of GTW-induced testicular tissues. A total of 216 differentially expressed proteins were identified in the TSZSDH group and model group. High-throughput proteomics revealed that differentially expressed proteins are closely associated with the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway, protein digestion and absorption, and protein glycan pathway in cancer. Cuscutae semen-Radix rehmanniae praeparata can significantly upregulate the protein expressions of Acsl1, Plin1, Dbil5, Plin4, Col12a1, Col1a1, Col5a3, Col1a2, Dcn, so as to play a protective role on testicular tissues. Acsl1, Plin1, and PPARγ on the PPAR signaling pathway were verified by WB and RT-qPCR experiments, which were found to be consistent with the results of proteomics analysis. Conclusion: Cuscutae semen and Radix rehmanniae praeparata may regulate the PPAR signaling pathway mediated Acsl1, Plin1 and PPARγ to reduce the testicular tissue damage of male rats caused by GTW., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Han, Dai, Sun, Xing, Ding, Zhang and Xu.)

Semen Cuscutae, called Tu-si-zi in Chinese, is a kind of dried mature seed in the Convolvulaceae family. It mainly distributes in China, Korea, Pakistan, Vietnam, India and Thailand. It is used as a kidney-tonifying drug for treatment of aging related diseases such as osteoporosis in traditional Chinese medicine. However, the exact mechanisms on bone resorption are poorly studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential effect of Semen Cuscutae on ovariectomy (OVX)-induced osteoporosis in mice and clarify the exact mechanisms by which Semen Cuscutae exert the anti-osteoporosis effect. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of Semen Cuscutae were performed by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and HPLC-MS/MS, respectively. Changes in bone mineral density (BMD) induced by OVX in mice were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and micro-computed tomography (μCT). Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining as well as hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining were used to observe bone microarchitectural changes. ELISA kits were used to assess the therapeutic effects of Semen Cuscutae on the serum levels of osteoprotegerin (OPG), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP-5b), and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (RANKL). The effect of Semen Cuscutae on primary cell viability was assessed using CCK-8 and anti-tartrate phosphatase assays. TRAP staining and actin ring staining were used to observe the effect of Semen Cuscutae on osteoclast differentiation. Western blotting was used to measure the effects of Semen Cuscutae on expressions of NFATC1, c-Src kinase, and c-fos. Results from UPLC-Q-TOF-MS showed that the main components of Semen Cuscutae were flavonoid compounds that included quercitrin, quercetin, hyperoside, caffeic acid, rutin, chlorogenic acid, luteolin, apigenin, kaempferol, isoquercetin, cryptochlorogenic acid, isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside, and astragalin. After the Semen Cuscutae extract was orally administered to OVX mice, bone density increased (P < 0.01) and bone microstructure was significantly improved (P < 0.01 or 0.05). Additionally, Semen Cuscutae exhibited a significant descending effect in the levels of serum TRACP-5b and RANKL, while there was a significant increase in OPG in the Semen Cuscutae group compared with the OVX group, especially at high doses. Moreover, we found that increasing of c-fos, c-Src kinase, and NFATC1 protein expressions were reversed by Semen Cuscutae in vitro and in vivo. Our results showed that Semen Cuscutae exhibited anti-osteoporosis effects through the c-fos/c-Src kinase/NFATC1 signaling pathway. [Display omitted] • We qualitatively analyzed the Semen Cuscutae extract of and quantitatively analyzed the 13 compounds presented. • The anti-osteoporosis effect of Semen Cuscutae extract was evaluated by using OVX mice. • Semen Cuscutae e xtract regulates bone resorption by inhibiting the formation and function of osteoclasts. • Semen Cuscutae extract improved osteoporosis through c-fos/c-Src kinase/NFATC1 signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Metabolomics analysis of Semen Cuscutae protection of kidney deficient model rats. • Development an UPLC-QTOF/MS method to identify potential biomarkers. • Semen Cuscutae had a good therapeutic effect on kidney Yang deficiency syndrome. The traditional Chinese medicine syndrome "Kidney yang deficiency" is a kind of chronic kidney disease. With the development of society, the incidence of chronic kidney disease is increasing year by year, which also brings great economic pressure to people. Semen Cuscutae is an important traditional Chinese medicine to tonify liver and kidney, mainly used to tonify deficiency of liver and kidney, spleen and kidney deficiency and diarrhea. Although there are a lot of research at the molecular and cellular level to study the Semen Cuscutae on the treatment of Kidney yang deficiency syndrome, but there's no comprehensive research complete with metabolomics method from plasma, feces and urine metabolites aspects. The purpose of this study is to find the potential differential biomarkers of the Kidney yang deficiency model and blank group rats in plasma, urine and feces, and to investigate the mechanism of Semen Cuscutae in the treatment of Kidney yang deficiency syndrome. In this study, ultra high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF/MS) was used to identify potential biomarkers. Through the analysis of metabolic profiles of plasma, urine, and feces, as well as multivariate statistical analysis and pathway analysis, the therapeutic mechanism of Semen Cuscutae for Kidney yang deficiency syndrome was described. The results showed that there were 69 differential metabolites in plasma, 93 differential metabolites in feces and 62 differential metabolites in urine, and the changes of the levels of these biomarkers showed that Semen Cuscutae had a good therapeutic effect on Kidney yang deficiency syndrome. Through the analysis of the channel, the metabolite changes mainly affected the steroid hormone biosynthesis, arachidonic acid metabolism, primary bile acid biosynthesis, sheath lipid metabolism and biosynthesis of tyrosine, phenylalanine metabolism, retinol metabolism,taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, lysine degradation and vitamin B6 metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, terpenoid backbone biosynthesis and starch and sucrose metabolism. Therefore, the results suggested that Semen Cuscutae could exert a good therapeutic effect by reversing the levels of some biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Semen cuscutae has been used traditionally to treat pimples and alleviate freckles and melasma in Korea. The present study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect of Cuscuta japonica Choisy seeds on alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-induced melanogenesis. Materials and methods: The aqueous fraction from Semen cuscutae (AFSC) was used to determine anti-melanogenic effects by examination of cellular melanin contents, tyrosinase activity assay, cAMP assay and Western blot analysis for melanin synthesis-related signaling proteins in B16F10 mouse melanoma cells. Results: AFSC markedly inhibited α-MSH-induced melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity, and also decreased α-MSH-induced expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and tyrosinase-related proteins (TRPs). Moreover, AFSC significantly decreased the level of phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling through the down-regulation of α-MSH-induced cAMP. Furthermore, we confirmed that the specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK (SB203580)-mediated suppressed melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity was further attenuated by AFSC. AFSC also further decreased SB203580-mediated suppression of MITF and TRP expression. Conclusions: These results indicate that AFSC inhibits p38 MAPK phosphorylation with suppressed cAMP levels and subsequently down-regulate MITF and TRP expression, which results in a marked reduction of melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity in α-MSH-stimulated B16F10 cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: To discover the effect of the total flavones from Semen cuscutae (TFSC) on the kidney-yang deficiency male mouse, especially on hormone levels and the androgen receptor (AR) mRNA and protein level in the kidney and testicle. Methods: ICR male mouse were separated into six groups, and, except for the normal group, hydrocortisone was injected intraperitoneally to make the kidney-yang deficiency. The groups were then treated with TFSC, methyltestosterone and Jinkui Shenqi Wan, except for the normal group and control group. 14 days after administering, testosterone levels in the total serum were analysed by radioimmunoassay, AR mRNA levels measured by real time RT-PCR and protein levels by immunohistochemistry. Results: The control group had the lowest testosterone level, AR mRNA level and protein level, and the TFSC can reverse the reduction of testosterone level, AR mRNA level and protein level induced by the hydrocortisone. Conclusions: This is the first study to demonstrate that TFSC treatment may reverse kidney-yang deficiency symptoms by restoring the levels of testosterone and AR mRNA and protein expression in the kidney and testicle. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Flavonoids contents in 40 samples of Semen Cuscutae collected from areas all around China were investigated. Five principal flavonoids, quercetin 3-O-β-d-galactoside-7-O-β-d-glucoside, quercetin 3-O-β-d-apiofuranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-galactoside, hyperoside, quercetin and kaempferol were analyzed simultaneously by using a reversed phase liquid chromatograph system with 0.025 M phosphoric acid–methanol as mobile phase. The recovery of the method was 97.0–102.9%, and all the flavonoids showed good linearity (r≥0.9990) in a relatively wide concentration range. The results indicated that contents of flavonoids in S. Cuscutae varied significantly from species to species, locality to locality, and parasiting host to host. Cuscuta australis contained a much higher content of kaempferol than C. chinensis, and few flavonoids were detected in C. japonica. The quality of S. Cuscutae can be evaluated according to the contents of flavonoids. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Semen Cuscutae is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine and contains a series of compounds such as flavonoids, chlorogenic acids and lignans. In this study, we identified different kinds of compositions by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (MS). A total of 45 compounds were observed, including 20 chlorogenic acids, 23 flavonoids and 2 lignans. 23 of them are reported for the first time including 6-O-caffeoyl-β-glucose, 3-O-(4′-O-Caffeoylglucosyl) quinic acid, etc. Their structures were established by retention behavior, extensive analyses of their MS spectra and further determined by comparison of their MS data with those reported in the literature. As chlorogenic acids and flavonoids are phenolic compounds that are predominant in Semen Cuscutae, in conclusion, phenolic compounds are the major constituents of Semen Cuscutae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]