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·kg-1 for 7 days and its protective effect on 5-FU-induced IM (5-FU, 50 mg·kg-1 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.

Karyotype asymmetry in Cuscuta L. subgenus Pachystigma reflects its repeat DNA composition.

Cuscuta is a cytogenetically diverse genus, with karyotypes varying 18-fold in chromosome number and 127-fold in genome size. Each of its four subgenera also presents particular chromosomal features, such as bimodal karyotypes in Pachystigma. We used low coverage sequencing of the Cuscuta nitida genome (subgenus Pachystigma), as well as chromosome banding and molecular cytogenetics of three subgenus representatives, to understand the origin of bimodal karyotypes. All three species, C. nitida, C. africana (2n = 28) and C. angulata (2n = 30), showed heterochromatic bands mainly in the largest chromosome pairs. Eighteen satellite DNAs were identified in C. nitida genome, two showing similarity to mobile elements. The most abundant were present at the largest pairs, as well as the highly abundant ribosomal DNAs. The most abundant Ty1/Copia and Ty3/Gypsy elements were also highly enriched in the largest pairs, except for the Ty3/Gypsy CRM, which also labelled the pericentromeric regions of the smallest chromosomes. This accumulation of repetitive DNA in the larger pairs indicates that these sequences are largely responsible for the formation of bimodal karyotypes in the subgenus Pachystigma. The repetitive DNA fraction is directly linked to karyotype evolution in Cuscuta.

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.

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.

Beneficial effects of Cuscuta chinensis extract on glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis through modulation of RANKL/OPG signals.

Cuscuta chinensis Lam. (Convolvulaceae) is an important herbal medicine widely used to improve sexual function, treat osteoporosis, and prevent aging, and has been reported to exhibit anti-osteoporotic effects in vitro. However, the activity of Cuscuta chinensis Lam. on glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis still remains unclear. The present study aimed to assess the protective effect and the underlying mechanism of action of Cuscuta chinensis extract (CCE) against glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in vivo. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups as follows: control group, osteoporosis group, and 2 CCE-treated osteoporosis groups (100 mg·kg-1·day-1). Blood samples and femur bones were collected for immunohistochemistry, biochemical, mRNA expression, and western blot analysis. HPLC analysis revealed that chlorogenic acid, quercetin, and hyperin were the major constituents of CCE. The results indicated that CCE increased bone length, bone weight, and bone mineral density and suppressed dexamethasone (DEX)-induced reduction in body weight. In addition, TRAP staining indicated that CCE reduced osteoclasts in DEX-induced osteoporosis rats. Mechanistically, CCE treatment alleviated the increase of bone resorption markers and the decline of osteogenic markers, which might be partially mediated by regulation of RANKL/OPG and RunX2 pathways. These results suggest that CCE showed promising effects in the protection against glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis through protecting osteoblasts and suppressing osteoclastogenesis.

Allopolyploid origin and genome differentiation of the parasitic species Cuscuta veatchii (Convolvulaceae) revealed by genomic in situ hybridization.

Interspecific hybridization and genome duplication to form allopolyploids are major evolutionary events in angiosperms. In the parasitic genus Cuscuta (Convolvulaceae), molecular data suggested the existence of species of hybrid origin. One of them, C. veatchii, has been proposed as a hybrid between C. denticulata and C. nevadensis, both included in sect. Denticulatae. To test this hypothesis, a cytogenetic analysis was performed with CMA/DAPI staining and fluorescent in situ hybridization using 5S and 35S rDNA and genomic probes. Chromosomes of C. denticulata were small with a well-defined centromeric region, whereas C. nevadensis had larger, densely stained chromosomes, and less CMA+ heterochromatic bands. Cuscuta veatchii had 2n = 60 chromosomes, about 30 of them similar to those of C. denticulata and the remaining to C. nevadensis. GISH analysis confirmed the presence of both subgenomes in the allotetraploid C. veatchii. However, the number of rDNA sites and the haploid karyotype length in C. veatchii were not additive. The diploid parentals had already diverged in their chromosomes structure, whereas the reduction in the number of rDNA sites more probably occurred after hybridization. As phylogenetic data suggested a recent divergence of the progenitors, these species should have a high rate of karyotype evolution.

Beneficial effects of Cuscuta chinensis extract on glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis through modulation of RANKL/OPG signals

Cuscuta chinensis Lam. (Convolvulaceae) is an important herbal medicine widely used to improve sexual function, treat osteoporosis, and prevent aging, and has been reported to exhibit anti-osteoporotic effects in vitro. However, the activity of Cuscuta chinensis Lam. on glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis still remains unclear. The present study aimed to assess the protective effect and the underlying mechanism of action of Cuscuta chinensis extract (CCE) against glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in vivo. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups as follows: control group, osteoporosis group, and 2 CCE-treated osteoporosis groups (100 mg·kg-1·day-1). Blood samples and femur bones were collected for immunohistochemistry, biochemical, mRNA expression, and western blot analysis. HPLC analysis revealed that chlorogenic acid, quercetin, and hyperin were the major constituents of CCE. The results indicated that CCE increased bone length, bone weight, and bone mineral density and suppressed dexamethasone (DEX)-induced reduction in body weight. In addition, TRAP staining indicated that CCE reduced osteoclasts in DEX-induced osteoporosis rats. Mechanistically, CCE treatment alleviated the increase of bone resorption markers and the decline of osteogenic markers, which might be partially mediated by regulation of RANKL/OPG and RunX2 pathways. These results suggest that CCE showed promising effects in the protection against glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis through protecting osteoblasts and suppressing osteoclastogenesis.

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.

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.

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.

Heterochromatin and rDNA sites distribution in the holocentric chromosomes of Cuscuta approximata Bab. (Convolvulaceae).

Cuscuta is a widely distributed genus of holoparasitic plants. Holocentric chromosomes have been reported only in species of one of its subgenera (Cuscuta subg. Cuscuta). In this work, a representative of this subgenus, Cuscuta approximata, was investigated looking for its mitotic and meiotic chromosome behaviour and the heterochromatin distribution. The mitotic chromosomes showed neither primary constriction nor Rabl orientation whereas the meiotic ones exhibited the typical quadripartite structure characteristic of holocentrics, supporting the assumption of holocentric chromosomes as a synapomorphy of Cuscuta subg. Cuscuta. Chromosomes and interphase nuclei displayed many heterochromatic blocks that stained deeply with hematoxylin, 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), or after C banding. The banded karyotype showed terminal or subterminal bands in all chromosomes and central bands in some of them. The single pair of 45S rDNA sites was observed at the end of the largest chromosome pair, close to a DAPI band and a 5S rDNA site. Two other 5S rDNA site pairs were found, both closely associated with DAPI bands. The noteworthy giant nuclei of glandular cells of petals and ovary wall exhibited large chromocentres typical of polytenic nuclei. The chromosomal location of heterochromatin and rDNA sites and the structure of the endoreplicated nuclei of C. approximata seemed to be similar to those known in monocentric nuclei, suggesting that centromeric organization has little or no effect on chromatin organization.