• 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.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.12-22
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• 2014

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Cuscutae Semen water extract (CS) on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Methods: To clarify the results, we cultivated MCF-7 cells in cell culture plates. And then we extracted each of $100{\mu}g/ml$, $300{\mu}g/ml$, $600{\mu}g/ml$ CS, gave it to MCF-7 cell. After these process we performed MTT assay to elucidate the ability of apoptosis. The result of mRNA was analyzed by RT-PCR. Results: Each of concentrated extracts CS decreased the survival rate of MCF-7 cells. CS decreased Bcl-2 which is known as a blocking cell apoptosis. Bax, caspase-3, P21 and RIP-1 that accelerate apoptogenic activity factors increased by CS. CS did not change the condition of caspase-8, caspase-9, P53 factors on MCF-7 cells. Furthermore caspase-8, caspase-9, P53 factors on MCF-7 cells does not make it more active but turn it on. Conclusions: According to the above results, we could suggest that CS can occur the apoptosis on MCF-7 cells.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.333-337
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• 1989

This study was carried out to investigate effects of Cuscutae semen extract(C. S. E) on $CCI_4$-induced liver damage in rabbits and acute toxicity in mice. $LD_{50}(mg/kg)$ of C. S. E. was 7.83g/kg by intraperitoneal administration in mice. C. S. E. groups were showed more rapid recuperation than the control group intoxicated by $CCI_4$ only. SGPT activity was lowered significantly in 800mg/kg after 6 days. The levels of total cholesterol and total bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase were decreased apparently in 800mg/kg from 6 days. It is suggested that C. S. E. can be administered not only as a therapeutic agent(such as liver tonics) but also a healthy food to shorten the recovery time in liver diseases.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.187-197
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• 1998

The study was aimed to investigate the effect cuscutae semen(CS) on the vascular systems including changes in blood pressure (BP), regional cerebral blood flow(rCBF) and pial arteriolar diameter of male Sprague-Dawely rats. The changes in rCBF were determinated by laser-Doppler flowmetry, and the changes in diameter of pial arteriole were measured through a closed crainal window. 1. Blood pressure was not affected by CS in rats. 2. rCBF was increased by CS in a dose-dependent manner. 3. Pretreatment with methylene blue(Img/kg), and propranolol(1mg/kg) significantly inhibited CS induced increased in rCBF. 4. Pretreatment with indomethacin(1mg/kg) did not inhibited CS induced increased in rCBF. 5. Pial arterial diameter was increased by CS in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that CS causes a diverse response of blood pressure, regional cerebral blood flow(rCBF), and pial arteral diameter. The increased in rCBF is also mediated by adrenergic ${\beta}-receptor $ and guanylate cyclase.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.1-11
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• 2012

Objectives: Osteoporosis, which occurs after menopause, is a kind of metabolic bone disorder. It develops when the bone mass begins to decrease radically, and its main symptoms are bone fracture and height-shortening. This thesis aims at what effects the Cuscutae Semen Extract(CSE) has on the prevention of osteoporosis in SD-rat that is caused by ovariectomy. Methods: The 24 female white rats, after removing their ovaries, were divided into the Normals, the Control group, and the CSE administrated group. For the next 8 weeks, distilled water to the normals and the control, and the CSE(45.9 mg/100 g) to the CSE administrated group were given in the mouths of them. After 8 weeks the rats were sacrificed. Weight, albumin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total-cholesterol, triglyceride, phosphorus, calcium, tetraiodothyronine, estradiol, the weight of the femur, the amount of tibia ash, the area of trabecular bone, and the thickness of trabecular bone were measured. Results: The serum analysis shows that the calcium and phosphorous of the CSE administrated group significantly increased compared to that of the control group. Aspartate aminotransferase, alkalinephosphatase, total cholesterol, tetraiodothyronine of CSE group were decreased, but not so significant. Albumin, alanine aminotransferase, triglyceride and estradiol of the group showed the tendency to increase, but the significance wasn't admitted. Regarding the variation of bone, the femur weight and the ash content of tibia, CSE group was more increased than the control group but the significance wasn't admitted. The histological observation shows that the trabecular thickness was more increased than the control group, and trabecular area increased significantly compared to those of the control group. The number of osteoclast and osteoblast area of the CSE groups decreased significantly compared to those of the control group. Conclusions: From the result of the above study, CSE should be effective for the osteoporosis cure and precaution and deeper study through bedside and clinical demonstration is much needed from now on.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.693-697
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• 2016

In this study, the electron donating ability(EDA) and total polyphenol content of herbal wine were examined. The herbal wine was obtained from extract concentration to evaluate its functional properties. The herbal wine were screened for their potential antioxidant activities using test such as electron donating ability(EDA) and total polyphenol content. The electron donating ability(EDA) were $21.81{\pm}0.56$ in herbal wine 15% and $40.45{\pm}1.60$ in herbal wine 35%. As the extract concentration was increased the electron donating ability(EDA) were significantly increased(p<0.05). The total polyphenol contents were measures $113.89{\pm}1.79{\mu}g\;GAE/m{\ell}$ in herbal wine 15%, $274.24{\pm}0.71{\mu}g\;GAE/m{\ell}$ in herbal wine 35%. As the extract concentration was increased the total polyphenol contents were significantly increased(p<0.05). Also, the total polyphenol contents were measures $61.75{\mu}g\;GAE/m{\ell}$ in herbal wine, the higher.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.69-81
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• 2015

Purpose : The first purpose of this study is to find out whether the water extract of Rehmanniae Radix Preparat(RRP), Cuscutae Semen(CS) and their combination(Ssangbohwan, SBH) have the effect of suppressing Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand(RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation. The second purpose of this study is to find out whether the water extract of RRP, CS and SBH have the effect of inhibiting osteoporosis in an osteoporosis model induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS). Methods : After promoting differentiation of osteoclasts by treating the RANKL, we observed the effect by the administration of RRP, CS and SBH. In addition, by means of Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR), we assayed mRNA expression levels of NFATc1, c-Fos, TRAP and GAPDHS(Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, spermatogeni) from bone marrow macrophages(BMMs). Similarly, the protein expression levels of NFATc1 (Nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic1), C-Fos, MAPKs(Mitogen-activated protein kinases) and ${\beta}$-actin in cell lysates were analyzed by means of Western Blotting. Finally, we determined the anti-osteoporotic effects of RRP, CS and SBH, through the use of Lipopolysaccharide-induced bone-loss mouse. Results : RRP, CS and SBH showed remarkable inhibitive effect on RANKL-treated osteoclast differentiation without cytotoxicity. SBH inhibited the phosphorylation of p38, Jun N-terminal kinases(JNK), and I-${\kappa}B$ and down-regulated the induction of c-Fos and NFATc1 by RANKL. RRP, CS suppressed degradation of I-${\kappa}B$, but it did not affect c-Fos and NFATc1 by RANKL. Lastly, in vivo data showed that RRP and SBH prevented bone erosion by LPS treatment. Conclusions : These results demonstrate SBH can be effective remedy for bone-loss diseases such as osteoporosis.