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At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

A new flavanone, reflexin, from Cuscuta reflexa and its selective sensing of nitric oxide.

A new compound, reflexin, 5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-6-(2,3-epoxy-3-methylbutyl)-flavanone, is isolated from the stems of Cuscuta reflexa along with three other known compounds. This new compound has good potential for application especially in the photoactivity of reflexin. It was found to be sensitive to glutathione, forming a fluorescent product that is utilized for sensing nitric oxide (NO). The lowest detection limit of NO analysis was found to be 0.05 micro/M.

Biosensing Techniques↗
PubMed2000

[Influences of counterfeits on RAPD results of Semen Cuscutae].

Compared the differences of the RAPD results between pure Semen Cuscutae and 12 commercial samples, it comes into the conclusion that the exiting other sample influences the RAPD results when its content is over 60% and the results is same as its content being under 60%.

Cuscuta↗
PubMed2001

[Studies on the polysaccharide H3 of Cuscuta chinensis Lam].

AIM: To study the structural characterization of an acidic polysaccharide, H3, isolated from the seeds of Cuscuta chinensis Lam. METHODS: Both chemical (such as sugar component analysis, methylation analysis, reduction of uronic acid, partial acidic hydrolysis, etc.) and spectral analysis (1HNMR, 13CNMR, IR, etc.) were used to investigate the structural characterization of H3. RESULTS: The molecular weight of H3 was estimated to be more than 1.0 x 10(6). The analytical results of sugar components indicated that H3 composed of Rha, Ara, Gal, and Gal A. Methylation analysis, partial acidic hydrolysis and 1H, 13CNMR further identified the linkages and sequence of the residues of H3. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that H3 is a highly branched heteropolysaccharide with structure elucidation for the first time.

Arabinose↗
PubMed2001

[Studies on the chemical constituents of the herba of Cuscuta chinensis].

The chemical constituents of the herb of Cuscuta chinensis Lam. were investigated. Five compounds were isolated from petroleum ether and chloroform fraction. Their structures were identified as beta-sitosterol, d-sesamin, 9(R)-hydroxy-d-sesamin, d-pinoresinol and daucosterol by chemical and spectroscopical methods. All these compounds were isolated from the stem for the first time.

Chemical Fractionation↗
PubMed2002

Cuscuta hyalina Roth., an insect development inhibitor against common house mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus Say.

A preliminary screening of crude acetone extract of Cuscuta hyalina Roth. was conducted against the laboratory reared preadult stages of common house mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus (Say) (Diptera: Culicidae). 24 h LC50 of third and fourth instar larvae and pupae were 303 ppm, 306.44 ppm and 97.66 ppm respectively. The extract completely restrained the adult mosquito emergence at sublethal doses (50 ppm for third instar and 75 ppm for fourth instar), by disrupting the normal morphogenesis. The extract was found to be an effective oviposition deterrent at 80 ppm. The plant was also found to be effective in suppressing the adult emergence when directly sprinkled as dry powder on the water surface.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Studies on brain biogenic amines in methanolic extract of Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. and Corchorus olitorius Linn. seed treated mice.

The methanolic extract of both Cuscuta reflexa stem and Corchorus olitorius seed showed marked protection against convulsion induced by chemoconvulsive agents in mice. The catecholamines contained were significantly increased in the processed extract treated mice. The amount of GABA, which is most likely to be involved in seizure activity, was increased significantly in mice brain after a six week treatment. Results of the present study revealed that both the processed extracts showed a significant anticonvulsive property by altering the level of catecholamines and brain amino acids in mice.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Chemical and toxicological evaluation of methanol extract of Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. stem and Corchorus olitorius Linn. seed on hematological parameters and hepatorenal functions in mice.

Methanol extract of Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. stem (MECR) contain flavonoids (0.2%) and Corchorus olitorius Linn. seed (MECO) was found to contain steroids and cardenolide glycosides. Effects of multiple weekly dose of MECR (25, 50, 75 mg/kg, i.p.) and MECO (15, 20, 25 mg/kg, i.p.) on liver and kidney functions and hematological parameters in mice were studied. No significant alteration of RBC count and hemoglobin content was observed in all dose level of treatment in MECR and MECO treated mice whereas significant increase of clotting time was seen in moderate and high doses in both case. MECR and MECO both caused significant increase in WBC count only in high dose level of treatment. Both the extracts in medium and high dose level increased SGOT, SGPT, NPN and plasma cholesterol significantly. Serum alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin were also increased by both moderate and high dose level of treatments in MECR and MECO treated mice respectively. Low dose of both the extract did not exhibit any significant change of creatinine and serum protein level. But high dose level of MECR and MECO significantly increased creatinine level. Increase in plasma cholesterol may be due to decrease in cholesterol catabolism owing to liver dysfunction of due to the intake of MECO itself as it was found to be steroid in nature. Elevated level of SGOT, SGPT and serum alkaline phosphatase activity in moderate and high dose level of weekly treated mice may be due to improper liver function following the treatment. Increased urea, non protein nitrogen and creatinine content in blood have been observed with impaired renal function. The slightly higher toxicity in case of MECO treated mice may be due to the presence of cardenolide glycosides in the ME of C. olitorius seed. However, low doses of MECR and MECO (25 and 15 mg/kg, i.p. respectively) did not exhibit any remarkable change on liver and kidney functions and hematological parameters.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of psychopharmacological effects of petroleum ether extract of Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. stem in mice.

The petroleum ether extract of Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. stem (PECR) was evaluated for its psychopharmacological activities in several experimental models using Swiss albino mice. The PECR was found to cause significant reduction in spontaneous activity and exploratory behavioral profiles. It also showed reduction in muscle relaxant activity by rotarod, 30 degrees inclined screen tests and showed significant analgesic properties as well as potentiated remarkably the pentobarbitone sodium, diazepam and meprobamate--induced sleeping time. All these results were compared with respective controls for the evaluation of significance. The presence of steroids in the PECR might he responsible for psychopharmacological activities.

Alkanes↗
PubMed2005

[Selection behavior of Cuscuta japonica on their hosts].

A field investigation on the selection behavior of Cuscuta japonica on their hosts showed that among the test plant communities, the number of coiling, the time of haustorium occurring, and the rate of coiling of C. japonica on hosts followed the order of B. papyrifera, W. chinensis, I. cairica, and L. camara; but the length of the elongation of C. japonica growing tips from coiling to haustorium occurring was with the order of L. camara, I. cairica, W. chinensis, and B. papyrifera. Furthermore, the growing tips of C. japonica coiled 3 circles in left direction on all selected hosts in 12 hrs, but grew away after contacting PVC rods within 24 hrs. The host diversity of C. japonic was beneficial to the survival of both C. japonica and its hosts. The selection behavior of C. japonica on their hosts had no correlation with the total N contents of different hosts. It could be postulated that the secondary metabolites of hosts made a contribution to the selection behavior of C. japonica on their hosts.

Broussonetia↗
PubMed2006

[Protection of extract from Cuscuta japonica on human sperm acrosome and ultrastructure].

OBJECTIVE: To 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. METHOD: By 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. RESULT: The 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). CONCLUSION: The 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↗
PubMed1994

Isolation, partial characterisation and complement inhibiting activity of a new glycoprotein from Cuscuta europea.

A new complement inhibiting factor (CIF) was isolated from the seeds of Cuscuta europea parasitic plant. When activated via both classical and alternative pathway, the complement activity was completely depleted by CIF at a concentration of 0,25 mg per ml serum. Studies concerning the precipitation showed that CIF developed one or two precipitin bands against human sera. It was established that the precipitation is as a result of the specific association of CIF to the C3 component of complement. A partial characteristic of the CIF was carried out. It is a glycoprotein with molecular weight between 27000 and 28000 Da. Its molecule consists of one polypeptide chain.

Chromatography, Affinity↗
PubMed1981

The purification and nature of an antiviral protein from Cuscuta reflexa plants.

An antiviral substance, showing highly significant virus inhibiting property, has been isolated from the aqueous extract of Cuscuta reflexa plants. The biologically active virus inhibitor was purified by fractionation with organic solvents followed by precipitation with a saturated solution of ammonium sulphate, dialysis, ultracentrifugation and filtration through a Sephadex G-200 column. It shows characteristics of proteins with a molecular weight around 14,000-18,000 daltons. The antiviral activity of the purified material was increased several folds. It has prevented the infection of several unrelated isometric as well as anisometric viruses in their hypersensitive and systemic hosts. Systemic resistance induced in lower treated as well as upper nontreated leaves of host plants, whose lower leaves had been treated with inhibitor, was significantly reversed in presence of Actinomycin D.

Antiviral Agents↗
PubMed1994

The cDNA sequence of cytochrome b5 associated with cytokinin-induced haustoria formation in Cuscuta reflexa.

A cDNA clone isolated by differentially screening a cytokinin-induced haustorial cDNA library of Cuscuta reflexa was sequenced and identified as the gene coding for cytochrome b5, based on the similarity of the deduced amino-acid sequence with that of the cauliflower (60% identity) and tobacco (78% identity) proteins. The 5'-UTR is unusually long (720 bp) and contains 14 potential start codons (ATG) and 10 short ORFs.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Cloning and sequence of a cDNA encoding a novel hybrid proline-rich protein associated with cytokinin-induced haustoria formation in Cuscuta reflexa.

A complete cDNA encoding a novel hybrid Pro-rich protein (HyPRP) was identified by differentially screening 3 x 10(4) recombinant plaques of a Cuscuta reflexa cytokinin-induced haustorial cDNA library constructed in lambda gt10. The nucleotide (nt) sequence consists of: (i) a 424-bp 5'-non coding region having five start codons (ATGs) and three upstream open reading frames (uORFs); (ii) an ORF of 987 bp with coding potential for a 329-amino-acid (aa) protein of M(r) 35,203 with a hydrophobic N-terminal region including a stretch of nine consecutive Phe followed by a Pro-rich sequence and a Cys-rich hydrophobic C terminus; and (iii) a 178-bp 3'-UTR (untranslated region). Comparison of the predicted aa sequence with the NBRF and SWISSPROT databases and with a recent report of an embryo-specific protein of maize [Jose-Estanyol et al., Plant Cell 4 (1992) 413-423] showed it to be similar to the class of HyPRPs encoded by genes preferentially expressed in young tomato fruits, maize embryos and in vitro-cultured carrot embryos. Northern analysis revealed an approx. 1.8-kb mRNA of this gene expressed in the subapical region of the C. reflexa vine which exhibited maximum sensitivity to cytokinin in haustorial induction.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1986

Effect of Cuscuta chinensis water extract on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced skin papillomas and carcinomas in mice.

Cuscuta chinensis, known as Aftimun, is reputed to have antitumour activity in the Unani system of medicine in India. The effect of a hot water extract of C. chinensis on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced skin papillomas and carcinomas in Swiss albino mice was studied. Oral administration of the extract (1 g/kg body wt) thrice a week in 22 mice, started on the tenth day after the first application of DMBA to the 252nd day, markedly delayed the appearance and retarded the growth of papillomas and the incidence of carcinoma, relative to a control group with 28 mice, in a two-stage system of tumorigenesis. Its prophylactic effect was found to be statistically significant.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗
PubMed1988

Changes in intracellular redox and energy status during induced transplasma membrane electron transport in Cuscuta protoplasts.

Extracellular reduction of ferricyanide was exhibited by isolated Cuscuta protoplasts. A larger decrease in NADH than NADPH levels of the ferricyanide-treated protoplasts pointed to the major involvement of the former as an electron donor. Glutathione levels were also found to be lowered in similarly treated tissue. The time-dependent variation in intracellular ATP levels in presence of ferricyanide supported the concept of plasma membrane ATPase activation during transplasma membrane electron transport in eukaryotes.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1998

Components of the ether-insoluble resin glycoside-like fraction from Cuscuta chinensis.

A trisaccharide and four new glycosidic acids, named cuscutic acids A-D, along with known organic acids, acetic acid, propionic acid, (2S)-2-methylbutyric acid, tiglic acid, (2R, 3 R)-nilic acid, (11S) convolvulinolic acid and (11S)-jalapinolic acid have been isolated from the alkaline hydrolysate of the ether-insoluble resin glycoside-like fraction of the seeds of Cuscuta chinensis. The compounds were characterized on the basis of chemical and physical data.

Carbohydrate Conformation↗
PubMed2001

Changes in serum levels of cytokines in mice injected with an immunostimulator C3bgp isolated from Cuscuta europea.

The effect of C3 binding glycoprotein (C3bgp), isolated from Cuscuta europea seeds on induction of in vivo cytokine synthesis was investigated. Different groups of mice were stimulated with 30 microg C3bgp per mouse, injected intraperitoneally. The quantitative determination of IL-1alpha, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma was performed in mouse sera by ELISA. The quantities of these cytokines were measured at different hours: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 24 h after injection. No significant changes in serum level of IL-2, IL-4 and TNF-alpha in experimental animal groups were found. A little increase of IL-1alpha, moderate elevation of IL-10 and IFN-gamma (5- to 6-fold more) and strong release, more than 10-fold of IL-6 in sera of C3bgp-treated mice were detected. The results obtained from C3bgp stimulated cultures of mouse peritoneal macrophages and mouse splenocytes suggest that C3bgp binds to mouse peritoneal macrophages and induces production mainly of IL-6, followed by IFN-gamma and in a very low degree of IL-1alpha and IL-10. Based on the results presented, we conclude that the increased level of IL-6 was the basic after injection of C3bgp and that the mouse macrophages were the major cell targets for the C3bgp effect.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗