Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences
ijbms.mums.ac.ir
The genus Cuscuta (Convolvolaceac): An updated review on
indigenous uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology
Shazia Noureen 1, Sobia Noreen 1*, Shazia Akram Ghumman 2, Fozia Batool 1, Syed Nasir Abbas Bukhari 3
1
Department of Chemistry, University of Sargodha, Sargodha-40100, Pakistan
College of Pharmacy, University of Sargodha, Sargodha-40100, Pakistan
3
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Aljouf, Sakaka2014, Saudi Arabia
2
ARTICLE INFO
ABSTRACT
Article type:
Review article
Cuscuta, commonly known as dodder, is a genus of family convolvolaceace. Approximately 170 species
of Cuscuta are extensively distributed in temperate and subtropical areas of the world. Species of this
genus are widely used as essential constituents in functional foods and traditional medicinal systems.
Various parts of many members of Cuscuta have been found efficacious against a variety of diseases.
Phytochemical investigations have confirmed presence of biologically active moieties such as
flavonoids, alkaloids, lignans, saponines, phenolics, tannins, and fatty acids. Pharmacological studies
and traditional uses of these plants have proved that they are effective antibacterial, antioxidant,
antiostioporotic, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antipyretic, antihypertensive,
analgesic, anti hair fall, and antisteriogenic agents.
Article history:
Received: Oct 23, 2018
Accepted: May 10, 2019
Keywords:
Bioactive
Cuscuta
Folk medicines
Pharmacological activities
Phytochemicals
►Please cite this article as:
Noureen Sh, Noreen S, Ghumman ShA, Batool F, Bukhari SNA. The genus Cuscuta (Convolvolaceac): An updated review on indigenous uses,
phytochemistry, and pharmacology. Iran J Basic Med Sci 2019; 22:1225-1252. doi: 10.22038/ijbms.2019.35296.8407
Introduction
Plant-based medicines are an integral part of virtually
all cultures since immemorial times. The journey of
information from prehistoric texts to various indigenous
folklores and modern preparations have witnessed the
presence of bioactive moieties with therapeutic potential
in these herbs (1-4). The immense population of current
allopathic products is embedded in nature. More than
half of the clinically approved drugs in the world are
either natural products or their modifications. Higher
plants being an endless reservoir contribute above one
fourth. The remarkable resurgence of interest in nature
to explore pharmaceutical and nutraceutical agents is
still marching towards new horizons (5-7).
Ever growing consumption of natural products by
local masses has forcefully motivated the scientists to
acquire systematic, elaborated, and practical knowledge
about their constituents by using advanced technologies
(8). Herbal products, both as purified compounds and
in the form of standard extracts, offer infinite odds for
novel pharmaceutical products due to the matchless
accessibility to different chemical species (9). Targetbased phytochemicals have transfigured the medicinal
industry because these are not only directly utilized for
treatment purposes but also act as leads and standard
template for synthetics drugs (10-11). Therefore,
modern scientific investigations are turning towards
traditional medicines to look for new windows of
opportunities giving rise to superior pharmacologically
active agents against diseases (12).
The genus Cuscuta L. commonly known as dodder
is one of the essential herbal constituents of pharma
foods and curative tonics that are frequently prescribed
to nourish various body parts. It is used to enhance the
nutritional value of porridge and alcoholic beverages
(13). The genus has a rich history of folk medicinal uses,
and numerous phytoconstituents of therapeutic value
have been isolated and identified (14). Various species
are indigenously used to cure fits, melancholy, insanity
(15), fertility problems (16), tumors (17), scabies,
eczema (18), chronic ulcer, jaundice, inflammation (19),
chest pain (20), fever, itching (21), osteoporosis (22),
diarrhea, oedema, stomach ache, infections, measles,
sores, kidney problems (23), sprain (24), alleviation
of high blood pressure, leucorrhoea (25), obesity (26),
migraine, amnesia, epilepsy, and constipation (27).
Pharmacological analysis of various Cuscuta
species unveiled their antitumor, antimicrobial
(28-31), hepatoprotective (32-33), anticonvulsant
(34), immunostimulatory, antioxidant (14, 35-37),
α-glucosidase inhibition (38), psychopharmacological
(39), hair-growth promoting (40-41), anti-steroidogenic
(42), anti-inflammatory (43-44), diuretic (45), analgesic
(46), antipyretic (47-48), anti-HIV (49), antidiabetic (50),
neuroprotective (51), antiulcer (52), antispasmodic,
heamodynamic,
bradycardia1,
antihypertensive,
cardiotonic, and muscle relaxant activities (53).
Cuscuta species are rich in bioactive constituents
that exhibit a wide variety of pharmacological activities.
Presence of a good deal of valuable components, broad
range of biological attributes and remedial value of
these plants in folk medicinal systems gives stimulation
toward the concept that this genus can play an important
role in discovery of new and more efficient therapeutic
agents. This review is an effort to edify knowledge of its
phytochemical richness, pharmacological and biological
significance, and folk medicinal uses, which will enhance
its value as a potent pharmaceutical precursor.
*Corresponding author: Sobia Noreen. Department of Chemistry, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, 40100, Pakistan. Tel: +923018434400; Email: sobianoreen@
uos.edu.pk
Noureen et al.
An overview of the genus Cuscuta
Methods
C. capitata Roxb (80).
Cuscuta species are holophrastic, annual or perennial,
herbaceous vines. The thread-like slender, twining
stems have orange, red, or yellow color. Majority of the
members have achlorophyllous, scaly leaves while some
of them are with reduced synthetic apparatus and can
perform localized and limited photosynthesis. Bisexual
flowers in multiple colors like cream, yellow, white, and
pink are pollinated by insects. Roots are absent, and
haustoria are used to suck water and nutrients. Several
morphological and physiological simplifications, for
instance absence of cotyledons or radicles in their
embryos, scaly leaves without vascular tissue and
haustoria represent an adaptation to parasitism. They
are obligate parasitic plants (54, 61, 81-84). These
stem and leaf parasites depend entirely on their host
plant, thus reducing the growth and yield of the host.
They mostly infect many broadleaf crops, ornamentals
plants, weeds, and a few monocot crops. Some of the
species are strictly host-specific while others thrive on
diverse hosts (85, 86). The usual growing season is early
summer; germination starts in May, parasites invade the
host by haustoria and may wither and die in the absence
of a suitable host within two weeks (87). Flowering
starts in June and seed production in November (88).
This review on Cuscuta genus has been written
according to the information collected from various
scientific databases such as Scopus, Researchgate, Web of
Science, ScienceDirect, and PubMed up to August 2018.
Distribution and botanical description
Cuscuta, a flowering parasitic genus was previously
placed in the Convolvulaceae family, but later it was
segregated as the separate family Cuscutaceae (54-57).
Global distribution record indicates that most of the
species are concentrated in tropical and subtropical
areas and fewer in temperate regions. This parasitic
genus is known by many common names such as dodder,
gold-thread, hair-weed, devil’s hair, hell-vine, stranglevine, love-vine, pull-down, etc. in different regions of the
world. The number of species documented by various
authors varies from 100 to 170 (58-66). Medicinally
important species are C. reflexa Roxb. (67), C. chinesis
Lam. (68), C. japonica Choisy (69), C. australis R. Br. (70),
C. europaea Linn. (71), C. gigantea Griff. (72), C. hyalina
Roth. (73), C. campestris Yuncker. (47), C. racemosa
Mart. (52), C. pedicellata Ledeb. (74), C. epithymum L.
(75), C. kilimanjari Oliv. (76), C. kotschyana Boiss. (77),
C. mitraeformis Engelm. (78), C. tinctoria Mart (79), and
Table 1. Common names and global distribution of some medicinally important Cuscuta species
Name
C. reflexa
Common name
Distribution
References
Hell weed, devil's gut, beggar weed,
Pakistan, India, China, E. Asia, Afghanistan,
(27, 29, 89-90)
strangle tare, scald weed, dodder of
Bangladesh,
thyme, greater dodder, lesser dodder
C. chinesis
Chinese dodder
Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan,
(68, 91)
Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia; Russia,
China, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, India, Sri Lanka,
Indonesia, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand,
Australasia,
C. japonica
Japanese dodder
Korea
(92-93)
C. australis
Australian dodder, Omonigelegele,
Taiwan, Africa, Japan, Australia, Madagascar,
(23, 70, 94-96)
southern dodder
Europe, Asia, Senegal, Ethopia,
C. europaea
…………….
India, Romania, Bulgaria, Iran
(97-99)
C.gigantea
……………..
Pakistan, China, Afghanistan, Tajikistan.
(62, 72)
C. hyaline
……………..
Pakistan, Ethiopia, Sudan, Kenya, Uganda,
(100)
Burundi, Rwanda,
Zimbabwe,India,Botswana, Namibia, South
Africa,
C. planif'lora
Small seed dodder, red dodder
North Africa, Southwestern and southern Asia,
(23, 101-102)
Ethiopia, Madagascar, Angola
C. campestris
C. racemosa
Field dodder, common dodder, prairie
Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, South America, Europe,
(81, 86, 103-
dodder, yellow dodder, gewone dodder,
Asia, Africa, Australia, Taiwan
105)
Chilean dodder, lead-vine, golden
Brazil, Chile
(52, 106)
Pakistan, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran
(26, 99, 107-
thread
C. pedicellata
Clover dodder
109)
C. epithymum
Common dodder,
Pakistan, Ireland, Iran, Poland
(95, 106, 110-
Clover dodder, lesser dodder, flax
112)
dodder
C. kilimanjari
Dodder
Sudan, Etopia, Congo, Malawi, Zimbabwe,
(23,95)
Mozambique, Limpopo, Madagascar
C. monogyna
Eastern dodder
Iran
(113)
C. approximata
Alfalfa dodder
Turkey, Iran
(14, 114-115)
Smooth seed alfalfa dodder
C. kotschyana
……………..
Iran,
(99)
C. capitata
……………..
India, Nepal
(80,116)
C. mitraeformis
.…………….
México
(78)
C: Cuscuta
1226
Iran J Basic Med Sci, Vol. 22, No. 11, Nov 2019
An overview of the genus Cuscuta
Noureen et al.
Medicinal uses
The local inhabitants of rural areas are aware
of inherent properties of various plants. They
preferentially use these herbs and their products to
treat multiple types of diseases due to their handiness
and low cost (117). Potentially useful plants have been
acknowledged and sequentially conveyed throughout
the centuries in all societies. Some of them are used
through self-medication, while others are recommended
by traditional healers (118). Plant utilization as
medicine ranges from the direct administration of the
leaves, seeds, barks, roots, and stems to the extracts and
decoctions from different parts of the plants (119).
Many Cuscuta species being rich sources of diverse
phytochemicals are popular components of various
folk medicinal systems. Cuscuta species are used
in traditional medicine as a purgative, diaphoretic,
anthelmintic, diuretic, and tonic as well as a treatment
for itching and bilious disorders (120, 121). Seeds, stem,
and whole plant are utilized as prescription to treat
different types of ailments. Medicinal uses of several
parts of Cuscuta members are given in Table 2.
C. reflexa is a treasured medicinal herb and widely
used in conventional medicinal system of various
Asian countries including China, India, Bangladesh, and
Thailand for treating multiple disorders (122). It is called
a miracle therapeutic plant in the ethnobotany, and a
wide array of chemical compounds has been isolated
with diverse medicinal properties (123). C. reflexa
whole plant is used to treat conjunctivitis, respiratory
disorders, piles, ulcers, and stomach problems (124).
The paste of whole plant mixed with latex Carica papaya
causes abortions (125). In rural areas of India its juice
is used against jaundice. Paste of plant is effective to
Table 2. Traditional medicinal uses of some Cuscuta species
Species
Plant part
Preparation
Traditional use
References
WP*
Paste
Treatment of swollen testicles, gout and joint pain,
(67, 125, 127-
causes abortion, anti-rheumatic, analgesic
128, 132, 169-
Infection treatment
(149)
C. reflexa
170)
Maceration
Infusion
Anti-poisonous
(142)
Juice
Antiseptic, useful in itching skin and jaundice
(127, 171)
Powder
Anti-fertility agent, astringent, diaphoretic
(136)
Pills
Anti-tuberculosis
(89)
Decoction
Useful in skin disease, used for jaundice, cough, blood
(171-172)
---------
Antidiarrheal, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, purgative,
(124, 131, 144,
antidandruff, conjunctivitis, analgesic,
150, 169, 173-
hepatoprotective, useful in cough, cephalagia, fever,
175)
purification, bronchitis, fever, sex stimulation
leucorrhoea, and paralysis, respiratory disorders,
piles, stomach problem, constipation, spleen diseases,
helminthiasis, fracture joining
Stem
Decoction
Hepatoprotective, antidiarrheal, useful in constipation,
(144, 169)
stomach disorders, urinary tract infections, jaundice,
epilepsy, cholera, asthma
Paste
Anti-hair fall, anti-rheumatic, useful in skin diseases
(29, 128, 144)
Juice
Jaundice treatment
(126, 176)
Crushed
Blood purifier, purgative, good for brain, fever,
(135, 138)
anthrax in cattle
Seeds
---------
Effective in bilious disorders and fever
Decoction
Cause abortion
(133-134)
(144)
---------
Carminative, anthelmintic, alterative, emmenagogue,
(129, 170)
sedative, diuretic, useful in ulcer, liver disorders
Leaves
C. chinensis
Poultice
Pain reliever
(177)
Extract
Cold treatment
(178)
Juice
Anti-hypertensive, anti-diarrheal, useful in jaundice.
(179)
---------
Effective in scabies, eczema, inducing sterility
(18, 180)
Fruits
---------
Antipyretic, cough reliever
(67)
WP
Juice
Anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory, wound healer, jaundice
(19)
treatment
Seeds
Dressing
Useful in painful inflammations
(151)
Paste
Anti-ulcer and wound healer
(151)
---------
Carminative, tonic, diuretic, sedative,
(158)
diaphoretic
Stem
Paste
Joining fractures
(155)
---------
Expectorant, carminative, tonic, anthelmintic,
(158)
purgative, diaphoretic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic
C. japonica
Iran J Basic Med Sci, Vol. 22, No. 11, Nov 2019
Leaves
---------
Antihypertensive
(93)
1227
Noureen et al.
An overview of the genus Cuscuta
Continued Table 2.
C. australis
---------
---------
Laxative, anthelmintic, astringent, emollient, sedative,
(23)
sudorific, liver and kidney tonic, useful in sores and
measles
C. austrais
seeds
Decoction
Brain tonic
(181)
C. europaea
Sap
---------
Carminative
(71)
WP
Extract
Anti-psoriasis
(71)
Juice
Useful in skin diseases
(167)
---------
Laxative, diuretic, analgesic
(116, 166)
---------
Juice
Antipoisnous
(72, 164)
---------
---------
Anti-septic
(116)
WP
---------
Purgative, useful externally against itching and
(21)
Seed,
vegetative
pant
C. gigantea
C. hyalina
internally in protracted fevers
C. planif'lora
WP
Infusion
Sores washers
(21)
---------
Abortion treatment
(73)
---------
Antiulcer, against culex mosquito,
(23)
---------
Carminative, laxative
(130)
Stem
---------
Anti-diarrheal
(23)
C. campestris
WP
Decoction
Purgative, useful in constipation,
(105)
C. racemosa
---------
Anti-inflammatory, diuretic, effective in the stomach
(52)
poultice
---------
and hepatic disorders and fresh wounds
C. pedicellata
---------
---------
Anti-obesity
(26)
Stem
---------
Purgative, wound healer, anti-inflammatory,
(168)
WP
---------
Diuretic, laxative, liver and kidney tonic, to treat
antihypertensive, useful in Stomachache
C. epithymum
(163, 182)
sciatica, scurvy and scrofula derma
C. kilimanjari
---------
Astringent, Laxative, detersive
(75)
Extract
Scleroderma treatment
(162)
Stem
---------
Useful in epilepsy
(183)
Stem
Sap
Useful inear, nose and throat diseases
(76)
---------
Effective in stomach ache, edema, veterinary
(23)
WP
C. capitata
treatment, agalactia
---------
Sap
Treatment of ringworm and warts
(79)
WP
Powder
Reduces irritation of bladder and improves urinary
(80)
function
C. approximata
C: Cuscuta; *Whole plant
Useful in kidney problems
(116)
WP
---------
Laxative, carminative, hepatoprotective
(130)
---------
---------
Useful in sin disease
(116)
treat headache, gout, and rheumatism (67, 126-128).
Plant juice mixed with other decoctions is purgative.
Seeds of C. reflexa are carminative, anthelmintic,
alterative, emmenagogue, sedative, and diuretic. It is
effective against warts (116, 129). Leaves are used to
treat eczema, scabies, cold, and to induce sterility (18,
130). Rabha tribes of west Bengal use the whole plant
to treat leucorrhoea (131). It is applied internally to
cure protracted fevers and externally on itchy skin.
The plant is frequently used in Ayurvedic medicine to
give relief in urinating difficulties, muscle pain, and
coughs (132, 133). Pills prepared from the dried plant
are used for treatment of tuberculosis (89). Its stem is
a blood purifier, good for brain and fever (134-135).
Tribal people use its various parts to treat fits, insanity,
melancholy, and to control fertility (15). It is commonly
used in veterinary medicines as poultice and sprains.
The powder is used as astringent and diaphoretic for
cattle (136-137).
1228
C. reflexa stems are crushed with Clerodendrum
viscosum leaves and fed to cattle to treat anthrax (138).
The plant is used for skin infections and dandruff (139140). The paste of whole plant with Achyranthes aspera is
used to control excessive bleeding during menstruation
(141). It is also used for treatment of bone fracture
and body pain (142). In folk medicine of Bangladesh,
it is used to cure tumors (17). The Tripura community
of Bangladesh and Satar tribes in Nepal use this plant
to cure edema, body ache and for maintenance of liver
function. It is used for treating constipation, spleen
diseases, diarrhea, and inflammation. Paste mixed with
sesame oil is applied for curing hair fall. The decoction
of stem is used to cure diarrhea, cholera, and asthma,
while decoction of seeds causes depression, nausea, and
vomiting (29, 143-145). Whole plant powder is used to
treat jaundice by tribal people of nallamalais in Andhra
Pradesh (146).
It is also used as expectorant, aphrodisiac, is useful
Iran J Basic Med Sci, Vol. 22, No. 11, Nov 2019
An overview of the genus Cuscuta
in vomiting, and purifies the blood (32). C. reflexa is an
essential constituent of several medical compositions,
which are used in the treatment of migraine, headache,
chronic catarrh, epilepsy, amnesia, and to prolong fever
(27, 147-148). Maceration of whole plant is used to
treat infections (149). The whole plant is also useful in
cephalagia, paralysis, stomach pain and helminthiasis
(89, 150).
C. chinesis Lam. also known as Chinese dodder or TuSi-Zi, also has a wide range of uses. It has been mentioned
in various old Chinese scripts and recommended by
many herbal practitioners (68). Besides China it is
also a famous prescription in many other countries.
In Pakistan dressing made of plant is used on painful
inflammations. Moreover, paste is useful for chronic
ulcers and wounds (151). In traditional Indian system,
leaves and stems are used to enhance lactation (152).
In Vietnam people use whole plant in back pain and
constipation (153). In Korea, seeds with other herbal
prescriptions are effective to improve sexual function
and health (154). Stem paste of C. chinensis is applied
to fractured bone to promote the joining (155). Whole
plant juice is used to treat inflammation and jaundice
(19, 156). A lotion prepared from stem is used to treat
sore heads and inflamed eyes. It has been found useful
in the treatment of impotence, nocturnal emissions,
dizziness, lumbago, leucorrhoea, decreased eyesight,
abortion, and chronic diarrhea (133). C. chinensis is
used in treatment of mania, epilepsy, and insanity (157).
Its stem and seeds are considered tonic, expectorant,
purgative, sedative, diuretic, diaphoretic, carminative,
anthelmintic, and advantageous in muscles and joints
pain (158-159). Prescriptions containing C. chinensis
are used to treat impairment of sexual function, cure
cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis, treatment of
premature ejaculation, to treat lower abdominal and
back pain, infertility, wet dreams, impotence, urinary
retention, and urinary incontinence (68). It is also
used to cure melisma, freckles and considered as antidandruff agent (160-161).
C. epithymum is a mild diuretic and used to treat
sciatica and scurvy. The fresh plant is applied to the skin
against scrofula derma and scleroderma. It is associated
with the health of liver and kidneys and used in various
formulas. It is considered a mild laxative (162-163).
The whole plant is dried and used as astringent and
detersive (75). Whole plant decoction of C. campestris
is used as purgative and poultice (105). The sap of C.
tinctoria is used to cure ringworm and warts (79). Juice
of C. gigantea plant is famous as an anti-poisonous
agent (140, 164). The sap of C. europaea is used as a
carminative, and the extract is applied to treat psoriasis
(165). Seeds and vegetative parasitic plant is used as
laxative, diuretic, and pain reliever and is poisonous. The
juice is used for skin treatment (166-167). C. capitata
whole plant reduces irritation of bladder and improves
urinary function (80). C. hyaline is used to treat chest
pain (20, 24). Its infusion is used as sores washer and
to prevent abortion (21, 73). It is antiulcer and used
against culex mosquito. C. australis is used as laxative,
anthelmintic, astringent, for treatment of sores, measles
and as kidney and liver tonic, emollient, sedative, and
sudorific (23).
Leaves of C. japonica are considered antihypertensive
Iran J Basic Med Sci, Vol. 22, No. 11, Nov 2019
Noureen et al.
(93). The sap of C. kilimanjari collected from stems is
directly installed to treat ear, nose, and throat diseases
in central Kenya. The whole plant is used to treat
stomach ache, edema, agalactia, and in veterinary
medicines (23, 76). C. pedicellate is used for treatment of
obesity, stomachache, to cure wounds, hypertension, as
purgative, and anti-inflammatory agent (26, 168). The
whole plant of C. planiflora is carminative and laxative,
and the stem is anti-diarrheal (23, 130). C. racemosa has
anti-inflammatory and diuretic effects, is also used for
stomach and hepatic complaints and treatment of fresh
wounds (52).
Phytochemistry
Exploration of nature’s garden of medication to expose
more acceptable solutions with safety is a subject of
interest from prehistoric era as more than half of world
population still relies on medicinal plants to sustain life.
The capability of these odds to appease and treat various
diseases and infirmity is undoubted. The curative plants
are extensively used in pharmaceuticals, food industry
mostly as functional food, agricultural, and cosmetics.
Various herbs, their extracts, and prescriptions are
loaded with different biologically active constituents
particularly alkaloids, steroids, saponins, flavonoids,
and terpenoids that are responsible for their therapeutic
outcomes (27, 184-189). Phytochemical screening of
ever more medicinal plants is extremely momentous in
detecting and identifying innovative sources of healing
as well as commercially important compounds (190).
Genus Cuscuta is rich in many phytoconstituents
representing a varied spectrum of secondary metabolites
including flavonoids, alkaloids, lignans, polysaccharides,
steroids, volatile oils, and resin glycosides (191-199). In
a comparative study it was suggested that the plants
in the Cuscuta species are blessed with almost same
soluble phenolic secondary metabolites as Chlorogenic
acid,3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic
acid, hyperoside, quercetin, astragalin, kaempferol-3O-galactoside, and quercetin-3-O-glucoside but with
varying quantities (200).
Chemical constituents of Cuscuta species are hostdependent. For instance, a large number of alkaloids
identified in these parasitic plants are the same as those
found in their alkaloid containing hosts except a very
few (201). These species can synthesize flavonoids,
while the study of relation between flavonoids of
host and parasite is under consideration. Preliminary
determination indicates that flavonoid content of
various Cuscuta samples growing on different hosts is
quite different (202). The most thoroughly characterized
species of this genus are C. reflexa and C. chinensis (6768, 203).
Essential component of many medicinal compositions
of C. reflexa has an extensively varied array of
phytochemicals identified as phenolic compounds,
flavonoids,
alkaloids,
phytosterols,
amarbelin,
betasterol, stigmasterol, glycosides, saponins, cuscutine,
myricetin, dulcitol, coumarin, cuscutamine, luteolin,
bergenin, proteins, fixed oils, fats, and carbohydrates
(27, 67, 204).
This genus is a source of many novel metabolites.
Qualitative analysis of methanolic extract of C.
reflexa isolated two new compounds named as
7’-(3’,4’-dihydroxyphenyl)-N-[(4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]
1229
Noureen et al.
An overview of the genus Cuscuta
glucopyranoside), cuscutoside C (2′-hydroxyl asarinin
2′-O-β-D-glucopyranoside), cuscutoside D (2′-hydroxyl
a s a r i n i n 2 ′ - O - β - D - a p i o f u ra n o s y l - ( 1 → 2 ) - [ β - D glucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)]-β-D-glucopyranoside) and neosesamin (188, 193, 210). C. chinensis and C. australis are
used to prepare the famous Chinese herbal prescription
Tu-Si-Zi. Phytochemical analysis was done to compare
the phenolic constituents of both plants. Principal
compounds of C. australis were kaempferol and astragalin
while hyperoside was predominant in C. chinensis (211).
Several Phytoestrogens were isolated and identified
from C. chinensis. Ethanolic extract of seeds afforded
three new lignans named cuscutaresinols A−C (212). In
another investigative study, four new glycosidic acids
called cuscutic acids A-D were isolated from the alkaline
hydrolysate of the ether-insoluble resin glycoside (191).
Up till now bulk of the phytochemical investigations on
C. chinensis targeted the seeds while other parts of the
plant have had much less attention by the researchers.
An ether insoluble resin glycoside fraction was
separated from seeds of C. australis and identification
and characterization of resin matrix revealed the
presence of three new glycosidic acids, cuscutic acids
A1−A3 (213). C. racemosa like other species of the genus
offers flavonoids as the chief constituent along with
tannins. In another experiment alkaloids, flavonoids,
tannins, and saponins have been identified (52, 214).
propenamide and 7’-(4’-hydroxy,3’-methoxyphenyl)-N[(4-butylphenyl)ethyl]propenamide (38). From aerial
parts of same plant two novel tetrahydrofuran derivatives,
namely Swarnalin and Cis-swarnelin were separated
(205) while a flavanon, reflexin chemically named as
5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-6-(2,3-epoxy-3-methylbutyl)flavanone, was isolated from the stem (206). Moreover,
3’-methoxy-3,4’,5,7-tetrahydroxy flavone and 3’-methoxy4’,5,7-trihydroxy flavone-3-glucoside were isolated from
whole plant (207). An antiviral protein with molecular
weight about 14,000–18,000 Daltons was separated
and evaluated against several isometric and anisometric
viruses (208).
Phytochemical investigations of C. chinensis have
shown that flavonoids, alkaloids, poly-saccharides,
steroids, lignans, and volatile oils are mostly reported
in its various parts (68). The active moieties responsible
for various pharmacological activities of the C. chinensis
mostly include flavonoids, lignans, quinic acid, and
polysaccharide. Flavonoids are the prime biologically
active components in C. chinesis. Additionally, quercetin,
kaempferol, and hyperoside can serve as an index to
evaluate the quality of the crude drug (209).
C. chinensis extract afforded four new lignans
cuscutoside A (2′-hydroxyl asarinin 2′-O-β-Dapiofuranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranoside), cuscutoside
B (2′-hydroxyl asarinin 2′-O-β-xylopyranosyl-(1→6)-βTable 3. Phytochemical profile of various Cuscuta species
Name
Plant part
Solvent
Extraction
Separation
Phytochemicals
References
7’-(3’,4’-dihydroxyphenyl)-N-[(4-
(38)
technique
C. reflexa
WP
MeOH
Maceration
CC
methoxyphenyl)ethyl]propenamide
7’-(4’-hydroxy,3’-methoxyphenyl)-N-[(4butylphenyl)ethyl]propenamide
6,7-dimethoxy-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one
2-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-3,5dihydroxy-7-O-β-D- glucopyranoside-4H-1benzopyrane-4-one,
3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-propen-1ethanoate
6,7,8-trimethoxy-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one
3-(4-O- β-D-glucopyranoside-3,
dimethoxyphenyl) -2-propen-1-ol
--------
--------
HPLC
Kaempferol
(215)
Quercetin
Lupeol
ß-sitosterol
Aq. EtOH
Soxhlet
TLC
Gallic acid
(53)
Quarcetin
EtOH
--------
VLC
Odoroside H
(216)
21-hydroxyodoroside H
Neritaloside
Strospeside
16-_-hydroxydigitoxin
N-trans and cis feruloyl tyramines
Ethyl caffeate
Coumarins
Ursolic acid _-sitosterol
Glucoside
4-O-p-coumaroyl-_-D-glucoside
n-hex
Soxhlet
GC-MS
Heneicosanoic acid
(217)
Pentadecanoic acid
Hexadecenoic acid
Heptadecanoic acid
1230
Iran J Basic Med Sci, Vol. 22, No. 11, Nov 2019
EA
tion
MS
An overview of the genus Cuscuta
Noureen et al.
Continued Table 3.
Pentadecanoic acid
Hexadecenoic acid
Heptadecanoic acid
Octadecanoic acid
Stem
EA
Maceration
GC-MS
1, 2, 3 Propanetriol, 1- acetate,
(218)
Benzofuran 2, 3, dihydro
Glycerol 1, 2- diacetate
1 H- 1, 2, 4-triazol-5-amine 1- ethyl2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol
Triacetin
D - glucitol, 4 - O-hexyl
3,4,5-trimethoxy cinnamic acid
Hexadecanoic acid, ethyl ester
3,6 -di methoxy phenanthrene
3, 5 - di - tert -Butyl -4 -hydroxyanisol
Vanillin
3 – aminopyrrolidine
Cetene
Sarcosine, N -isobutyryl, tetradecyl ester
4 - ((1E) – 3 – hydroxyl -1-propenyl)-2methoxy phenol
1,5-diphenyl-2H-1,2,4-triazoline-3-thione
1-octadecene
Heptanamide, N-(1-cyclohexylethyl)-2methyl
Scoparone
Hexadecanoic acid, ethyl ester
3’-Methyl-2-benzylidene-coumaran-3-one
Pet Eth
Soxhlet
CC
5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-6-(2,3-epoxy-3-
(206)
methylbutyl)-flavanone (reflexin)
Isorhamnetin
(122)
Isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside
Isorhamnetin-3-O-robinobioside
MeOH
Maceration
GC-MS
2-Methoxy-4-vinyl phenol
(219)
Benzofuran-2,3-dihydro
3,5-di-tert-Butyl-4-hydroxyanisole
Hexatriacontane
n-Hexadecanoic acid
Scoparone
Hexadecanoic acid methyl ester
1,3-Benzenediamine, N, N, N′, N′
tetramethyl-
Phenol, 4(3-hydroxy1propenyl), 2-methoxy
Phenol, 2,4 bis (1,1dimethylethyl); 2,3,5,6Tetramethyl para phenylene diamine
Retinoic acid-5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro
2,4-Dihydroxy2,5-dimethyl-3(2H) furan-3-one
2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-2Propyl-tetrahydro-pyran-3-ol
Pregn-4-ene-18-oic acid
AP
MeOH
Maceration
RHPLC
Swarnalin
HPLC
Cis-swarnelin
(205)
Coumarin 5, 6, 7-trimethoxycoumarin
------
Water
--------
---------
Aromadendrin
(49)
Taxifolin
Aromadendrin-7-0-β-D-glucopyranoside
3,5,7,8,4'-pentahydroxyflavanone
Taxifolin-7-0-β-D-glucopyranoside
Coccinoside B
Pruning
3-O-dicaffeoyl quinic acid
3-4-O-dicaffeoyl quinic acid
3, 4, 5-O-Tricaffeoylquinic acid
-------
DCM
Maceration
HPLC
Violaxanthin
(220)
Lutein
Lycopene
β, ψ-carotene
Rubixanthin
β, β – carotene
Esterified rubixanthin
Iran J Basic Med Sci, Vol. 22, No. 11, Nov 2019
ater
0%
eOH
tion
β
ight
----------Cuscutoside A (2′ hydroxyl asarinin 2′ O-β-
1231
Noureen et al.
An overview of the genus Cuscuta
Continued Table 3.
β, ψ
Rubixanthin
β, β – carotene
Esterified rubixanthin
Lutein violaxanthin
Fil.
Water
Maceration
β-cryptoxanthin
CC
An antiviral protein with molecular weight
(219)
about 14,000---18,000 daltons
C. chinesis
Fruit
50 %
-----------
CC
Cuscutamine
(194)
Cuscutoside A (2′-hydroxyl asarinin 2′-O-β-
MeOH
D-apiofuranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-Dglucopyranoside
Cuscutoside B (2′-hydroxyl asarinin 2′-O-βxylopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-β-glucopyranoside
Hyperoside
Astragalin
Quercetin
Quercetin-3-O-apiosyl (1-2)-galactoside
Pinoresinol-4-O-glucoside
Einoresinol
Epipinoresinol)
p-coumaric acid
Caffeic acid
Chlorogenic acid
Arbutin
Stem
Pet. eth
--------
β-sitosterol
---------
CF
(221)
d-sesamin
9(R) - hydroxy-d-sesamin
D-pinoresinol
daucosterol
Seed
Pet. eth
Reflux
Cuscutoside C (2′-hydroxyl asarinin 2′-O-β-
CC
(196)
D-glucopyranoside)
Cuscutoside D (2′-hydroxyl asarinin 2′-O-βD-apiofuranosyl-(1 → 2)-[β-Dglucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)]-β-D-
glucopyranoside
---------
--------
---------
Neo-sesamin
(210)
Kaempferol
Kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside
4', 4, 6-trihydroxyaurone
Quercetin
Hyperoside
Palmitic acid
Stearic acid
β-sitosterol
Daucosterol
---------
--------
RHPLC
quercetin 3-O-β-D-galactoside-7-O-β-D-
(218)
glucoside
quercetin 3-O- β-D-apiofuranosyl-(1etin3Dgalactoside
hyperoside
quercetin
kaempferol
Ether
Saponi-
Water
fication
CC
A trisaccharide
(194)
Four new glycosidic acids (cuscutic acids AD)
Acetic acid
Propionic acid
2-methylbutyric acid
Tiglic acid
Nilic acid
Convolvulinolic acid
Jalapinolic acid
95 %
--------
Cuscutaresinols A−C
CC
EtOH
(212)
(+)-sesamin
(+)-xanthoxylol
9-hydroxysesamin
(+)-pinoresinol
Kaempferol
Isorhamnetin
5%
1232
--------
H
hex
Iran J Basic Med Sci, Vol. 22, No. 11, Nov 2019
--------
GC
Cuscutaresinols A−C
An overview of the genus Cuscuta
Noureen et al.
Continued Table 3.
(+)-pinoresinol
Kaempferol
Isorhamnetin
95 %
--------
CC
Kaempferol
EtOH
(22)
Quercetin
astragalin,
isorhamnetin
hyperoside
n-hex
--------
Capillary GC
Sixteen fatty acids including
(222)
Palmitic acid
Linoleic acid
Oleic acid
Linolenic acid
MeOH
--------
---------
Methyl 4-hydroxy-3,5dimethoxycinnamate,
(223)
Caffeic acid
Quercetin
Kaempferol
Calycopteretin
EtOH
--------
CC
neocuscutosides
(224)
A, B and C
------
---------
--------
---------
Octadecyl (E)-p-coumarate
(225)
Methyl 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-5hydroxycinnamate
Quercetin-3-O-(6″-galloyl) β-D-glucoside
Kaempferol
Astragalin
Hyperoside
Astragalin 6″-O-gallate
β-sitosterol
Daucosterol
C. japonica
Seed
MeOH
--------
FCC
3, 5-Di-O-caffeoylquinic acid
(226)
3, 4-Di-O-caffeoylquinic acid
Methyl 3, 5-Di-O-caffeoylquinate
Methyl 3, 4-Di-O-caffeoylquinate
C. australis
Stem
80 %
--------
CC
acetone
α-caroten-5
(227)
6-epoxide
β-and γ-carotene
Xanthophylls
Taraxanthin
Lutein
Kaempferol
Seed
---------
--------
GC
Cuscutic acids A1−A3
(217)
Acetic acid
Isobutyric acid
2-methylbutyric acid
Tiglic acid
Nilic (3-hydroxy-2-methylbutyric) acid
---------
--------
---------
β –sitosterol
(228-229)
Sesamin
Hexadecanoic acid
Hexadecanoic acid
Kaempferol
Quercetin
Astragloside
Hyperoside
caffeic acid
Quercetin-3-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-β-Dapiopyranoside
C. europaea
------
---------
--------
---------
Glycoside
(166)
Flavonoids
C. campestris
AP
MeOH
Maceration
HPLC
Sinapic acid
(14)
Quercetin
Hesperidin
Eugenol
C. racemosa
WP
70 %
Percolation
TLC
Flavonoids
EtOH
(214)
Tannins
Flavonol (4’methoxyquercetin)
eOH
d
Iran J Basic Med Sci, Vol. 22, No. 11, Nov 2019
1233
α
β
---------
--------
---------
er
Noureen et al.
An overview of the genus Cuscuta
Continued Table 3.
EtOH
Tannins
Flavonol (4’methoxyquercetin)
MeOH
Socked
DCCC
Kaempherol
(230)
Quercetin
Pinoresinol
9-α-hydroxysesamin
9-β-hydroxysesamin
Acuminatolide
C. pedicellata
WP
---------
--------
---------
EtOH
--------
CC
Quercetin 5, 7, 3’, 4’-tetramethyl ether
(231)
Naringenin
(26)
Kaempferol
Aromadenderin
Quercitin
3,5,7,30,50-pentahydroxy flavanone,
Naringenin -7-O-b-D-glucoside
Aromadenderin -7-O-b-D-glucoside,
Taxifolin -7-O-b-D-glucoside,
Kaempferol -3-O-b- D-glucoside
Quercitin -3-O-b-D-glucoside
Seed
Pet. eth
Soxhlet
CC
Quercetin
(232)
Kaempferol
Genkwanin
Astragalin
Palmitic acid
C. epithymum
WP
MeOH
Soxhlet
---------
Alkaloids
(182)
Carbohydrates
Flavonoids
Glycosides
Phytosterols
Triterpenoids
C. approximata
AP
MeOH
Maceration
HPLC
Gallic acid
(14)
Catechin
Caffeic acid
Chloregenic acid,
Quercetin
Coumarin,
Vanilin,
Eugenol
C. monogyna
AP
MeOH
Maceration
HPLC
Sinapic acid
(14)
Catechin
Caffeic acid
Chloregenic acid
Rutin
Coumarin
Vanilin
Hesperidin
Ellagic acid
C. mitraeformis
Stem
n-hex
--------
GC-FID
Nonanal
GC-MS
Thymol
(78)
HPLC-DAD
Eugenol β- carotene
--------
Quercetin
Lutein
C. kotschyana
------
--------
--------
(233)
kaempferol
C: Cuscuta; WP: whole plant; AP: aerial parts; Fil: filament; Aq: aqueous; MeOH: methanol; EtOH: ethanol; Pet. eth: petroleum ether; n-hex: n-hexan;
EA: ethyl acetate; DMC: dichloromethane; CC: column chromatography; HPLC: high performance liquid chromatography; RHPLC: reverse phase
high performance liquid chromatography; TLC: thin layer chromatography; VLC: vacuum liquid chromatography; GC-MS: gas chromatographymass spectrometry; FCC: Flash Column Chromatography; DCCC: Droplet counter-current chromatography; FID: flame ionization detector; DAD:
diode array detector
Pharmacological attributes
Impressive medicinal background of Cuscuta species
has attracted the attention of many pharmacological
researchers. A good deal of biological attributes has
been studied and is listed in tabular form in Table 4.
Antioxidant
Medicinally important plants are endless reservoirs
of antioxidants that enhance the antioxidant capacity of
1234
the body, which lead to a reduced risk of many diseases
(234-235). Although a diverse population of synthetic
analogs is commercially available due to side effects
(liver impairment and carcinogenesis) blind reliance
on these formulations has been over. Therefore, plants
can play a key role to fulfill prerequisite for exploration
of effective, biocompatible, and economic antioxidants
(236).
Many investigators have employed different
Iran J Basic Med Sci, Vol. 22, No. 11, Nov 2019
An overview of the genus Cuscuta
Noureen et al.
qualitative and quantitative approaches to detect
antioxidants in various Cuscuta species. Stem collected
from different hosts and extracted with various solvents
(100% methanol, 80% methanol, 100% ethanol,
80% ethanol, water, and n-hexane) were analyzed for
quantity of phenolics and flavonoids content. Their
antioxidant capacity was measured by using a variety
of assays including reducing power, DPPH scavenging
activity, percent inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation
and δ-tocopherol. It was observed that there was a
strong correlation between amount of total phenolics
and antioxidant capacity (13).
C. reflexa has been reported for its antioxidant
potential (37, 237). Free radical scavenging capacity of
methanolic extract of C. reflexa was evaluated by DPPH
and reducing power assays. Results of DPPH assay,
illustrated as IC50 value demonstrated its antioxidant
activity 359.48 μg/ml as compared to 9.22 μg/ml value
for ascorbic acid used as standard. The reducing power
of extract was found dose-dependent and increased by
increasing concentration (35). Ethyl acetate fraction
of ethanolic extract of C. reflexa was significantly
antioxidant. Activity may be related to presence of
flavonoids, alpha tocopherol, and rutin, which were
confirmed in preliminary phytochemical screening
(238).
Table 4. Pharmacological attributes exhibited by Cuscuta species
Species
Activity
Plant
Method
Extract type
Test applied
Testing model
Effective
part
C. reflexa
Antioxidant
St
Reference
dose/conc.
Soxhlet
L
MeOH
DPPH and FRAP assay
-------------
600 μg/ml
(35)
EtOH
Non-Enzymatic Glycolysation
Hemoglobin
------------
(238)
of Haemoglobin
Antibacterial
Fl
----------
MeOH
DPPH assay
-------------
------------
(323)
L
Soxhlet
50% EtOH
Disc diffusion
Escherichia coli
------------
(29)
method
Staphylococcus aureus
Cup plate method
Staphylococcus aureus
125 μg/ml
(259)
Bacillus subtilis
16 to 512
(235)
Staphylococcus lutea
μg/ml
St
----------
MeOH
Escherichia coli
Bacillus punilus
Salmonella typhi
Salmonella thyphimurium
Salmonella boydii
Salmonella sonnei
Salmonella dysenteriae
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Vibrio cholerae
WP
----------
DCM pet. eth
Disc diffusion method
Xanthomonas campestris
Escherichia coli
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Proteus vulgaris
Proteus denitrificans
Soaked
EtOH
Agar well diffusion assay
Bacillus subtilis
Staphylococcus aureus
500 μg/ml
(324)
-----------
(260)
-----------
(29)
30% (w/v)
(107)
0.1 ml bolus
(283)
Escherichia coli
Salmonella typhi
-------
----------
MeOH
Agar well diffusion
Staphylococcus epidermidis,
Staphylococcus aureus
Escherichia coli
Pseudomonas sp.
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Antifungal
L
soxhlet
50% EtOH
------------------
Aspergillus niger
Candida albicans
-------
----------
Water
well diffusion method
Aspergillus alternate
Aspergillus niger
Fusarium solani
Fusarium oxysporium
Macrophomina phaseolina
Antihypertensive
WP
Socked
EtOH
-----------------
Wistar rats
injection
Psychopharmaco
St
Soxhlet
Pet. eth
logical effect
Anti-
General and exploratory
Swiss albino mice
-----------
(39)
behavior study
St
Suc. Ex
MeOH Pet. eth
Membrane stabilizing activity
Red blood cells
-----------
(44)
Soxhlet
EtOH water
Percentage volume reduction
Albino rats
200, 400
(254)
inflammatory
mg/kg
ivity
WP
c.
AP
----------
er
ell
----
253)
kg
5)
ters
kg
242)
ters
----
2)
g/kg
5)
lyte
r
Iran J Basic Med Sci, Vol. 22, No. 11, Nov
ective2019WP
Ex
AP
hlet
ol
WP
Ex
CF
ntic
1235
Noureen et al.
An overview of the genus Cuscuta
Continued Table 4.
Soxhlet
EtOH water
Percentage volume reduction
Albino rats
200, 400
(254)
mg/kg
WP
Decoc.
Water
SQ-RT-PCR analysis
Murine macrophage cell
--------------
(253)
Wister rats
300 mg/kg
(45)
line RAW264.7
Diuretic activity
AP
Hepatoprotective
Antitumor/antic
----------
EtOH
Urine volume and electrolyte
water
content
WP
Suc. Ex
Aq.
Biochemical parameters
Albino rats
200 mg/kg
(242)
AP
Soxhlet
Methanol
Biochemical parameters
Albino rats
--------------
(32)
WP
Suc. Ex
MeOH CF
------------------
Swiss albino mice
40 mg/kg
(15)
-------------
(253)
Hep 3B cell line
-------------
(325)
Swiss albino mice
-------------
(42)
----------------------
2% extract in
(40)
ancer
MCF-7 cancer cell line
Decoc.
Water
MTT assay
Human hepatocellular
DAPI staining
carcinoma cell line Hep3B
Annexin V staining
SQ-RT-PCR analysis
-------
----------
CF
Annexin V-FITC
Apoptotic assay
PARP cleavage
Caspase activation
Antisteroidogenic
St
Soxhlet
MeOH
Ovary and uterus weight
Biochemical parameters
Hair growth
St
Soxhlet
Pet. eth
Visual observation
Skin biopsy
vehicle
Histopathological
Swiss albino rats
250 mg/kg
(313)
Long Evans rats and Swiss
50-200 mg/kg
(50)
albino mice
bw
observation
Antidiabetic
St
Macera.
MeOH
Oral glucose tolerance test
CF
Antimutagenic
AP
Macera.
MeOH water
Oral glucose tolerance test
Swiss albino rats
400 mg/kg
(245)
St
Soxhlet
MeOH
Ames test
Salmonella typhimurium
-------------
(122)
TA 98 and TA 100
Anthelmintic
WP
----------
Pet. eth CF
------------------
Pheritima posthuma
20-50 mg/ml
(44)
Elevated plus-maze
Swiss albino mice
400 mg /kg
(305)
MeOH
Anxiolytic effect
WP
Macera.
MeOH
Light and dark chamber
Anti-arthritic
St
----------
70% MeOH
Percentage inhibition of
Sprague–Dawley rats
600 mg/kg
(321)
Sprague–Dawley rats
600 mg/kg
(321)
Albino mice
200 and 400
(238)
oedema Percentage inhibition
of protein denaturation
Nephroprotective
St
----------
70% MeOH
Biochemical parameters and
pathological syptoms
Anticonvulsant
L
Macera.
EOH
Delay the onset of
convulsions
Genotoxic effects
-------
----------
MeOH
mg/kg
Root growth, root apical
Allium cepa L.
meristem mitotic index (MI),
Allium sativum L.
-------------
(326)
chromosomal aberrations
C. chinensis
anti-histaminic
------
---------
EtOH
Albino rats
100 mg/kg
(327)
Anticancer
WP
Soaked
Water
Histological study
Swiss albino mice
1 g/kg
(30
Neuronal
Sd
Percola.
MeOH
Neurite assay
Rat pheochromocytoma
200 mg/l
(277)
ICR mice
200 µg
(272)
Wistar-albino rats
125 and 250
(33)
differentiation
Adjuvant effect
PC12 cells
Sd
----------
70% EtOH
Splenocyte proliferation
assay Indirect ELISA
Hepatoprotective
Sd
Decoc.
EtOH
Liver function markers and
histopathological study
Antioxidant
Sd
Decoc.
EtOH
Antioxidant enzyme levels
mg/kg
Wistar-albino rats
125 and 250
(33)
mg/kg
Antiosteoporotic
Sd
----------
95% EtOH
Alkaline phosphatases activity
UMR-106 cells
-------------
(22)
Alamar-Blue cell proliferation
assay Reporter assays
Improve erectile
Sd
----------
----------
Radioimmunoassay
New Zealand white rabbits
1-5 mg/ml
(288)
Sd
----------
80% EtOH
Griess assay
Mouse microglia line BV-2
-------------
(255)
ELIZA
cells
dysfunction
Antiinflammatory
Anti-apoptosis
Sd
----------
95% EtOH
Annexin V-FITC method
SD rats
-------------
(303)
Effect on
Sd
Hot Ex
EtOH water
Melanin contents and
B16F10 mouse melanoma
-------------
(160)
tyrosinase activity
cells
Methyl tetrazolium bromide
Human Acute
3 µg/ml in 24
(267)
test
Lymphoblastic Leukemia
hr
Melanogenesis
Zebrafish
Cytotoxic
1236
WP
----------
sive
d
----------
sis
d
t Ex
----------
ml Vol. 22,
226)No. 11, Nov 2019
Iran J Basic Med Sci,
er
ay
oma
---
9)
An overview of the genus Cuscuta
Noureen et al.
Continued Table 4.
Light and dark chamber
Anti-arthritic
St
----------
70% MeOH
Percentage inhibition of
Sprague–Dawley rats
600 mg/kg
(321)
Sprague–Dawley rats
600 mg/kg
(321)
Albino mice
200 and 400
(238)
oedema Percentage inhibition
of protein denaturation
Nephroprotective
St
----------
70% MeOH
Biochemical parameters and
pathological syptoms
Anticonvulsant
L
Macera.
EOH
Delay the onset of
convulsions
Genotoxic effects
-------
----------
MeOH
mg/kg
Root growth, root apical
Allium cepa L.
meristem mitotic index (MI),
Allium sativum L.
-------------
(326)
chromosomal aberrations
C. chinensis
anti-histaminic
------
---------
EtOH
Albino rats
100 mg/kg
(327)
Anticancer
WP
Soaked
Water
Histological study
Swiss albino mice
1 g/kg
(30
Neuronal
Sd
Percola.
MeOH
Neurite assay
Rat pheochromocytoma
200 mg/l
(277)
ICR mice
200 µg
(272)
Wistar-albino rats
125 and 250
(33)
differentiation
Adjuvant effect
PC12 cells
Sd
----------
70% EtOH
Splenocyte proliferation
assay Indirect ELISA
Hepatoprotective
Sd
Decoc.
EtOH
Liver function markers and
histopathological study
Antioxidant
Sd
Decoc.
EtOH
Antioxidant enzyme levels
mg/kg
Wistar-albino rats
125 and 250
(33)
mg/kg
Antiosteoporotic
Sd
----------
95% EtOH
Alkaline phosphatases activity
UMR-106 cells
-------------
(22)
Alamar-Blue cell proliferation
assay Reporter assays
Improve erectile
Sd
----------
----------
Radioimmunoassay
New Zealand white rabbits
1-5 mg/ml
(288)
Sd
----------
80% EtOH
Griess assay
Mouse microglia line BV-2
-------------
(255)
ELIZA
cells
dysfunction
Antiinflammatory
Anti-apoptosis
Sd
----------
95% EtOH
Annexin V-FITC method
SD rats
-------------
(303)
Effect on
Sd
Hot Ex
EtOH water
Melanin contents and
B16F10 mouse melanoma
-------------
(160)
tyrosinase activity
cells
Methyl tetrazolium bromide
Human Acute
3 µg/ml in 24
(267)
test
Lymphoblastic Leukemia
hr
Melanogenesis
Zebrafish
Cytotoxic
WP
----------
----------
Cell Line
C. japonica
Antihypertensive
Sd
----------
EA
Plasma ACE activity
Rats
400 mg/ml
(226)
Tyrosinase activity assay
B16F10 mouse melanoma
-------------
(69)
melanin contents
cells (CRL 6323)
50 and 100
(315)
MtOH
Melanogenesis
Sd
Hot Ex
Water
inhibition
cAMP assay
Western blot analysis
Memory
Sd
Sonicat.
Water
enhancing
Novel object recognition test
ICR mice
The step-through passive
mg/kg/day
avoidance test
Immunohistochemistry
Melasma
AP
Heating
Water
elimination
C. australis
Hepatoprotective
Melasma Area Severity Index
Patients
4.8 g/day
(311)
Wistar rats
125 and 250
(70)
degree of hyperpigmentation
St
Soxhlet
EtOH
Hepatic injury markers
mg/kg
C. europaea
Antibacterial
WP
Shaking
EtOH
Agar well method
S. aureus
20 mg/ml
(263)
500 mg
(308)
E. coli
C. planif'lora
Antidepressant
AP
----------
----------
Triple-blind controlled
Depression patients
clinical trial
C. campestres
Analgesic
WP
----------
95% EtOH
capsule
Writhing Test
Albino mice
50 and 100
(47)
mg/kg.
Cold
MeOH
Macera.
Antipyretic
WP
----------
Writhing Test
Swiss Albino mice
400 mg/kg
(46)
Albino mice
50 and 100
(47)
Heat conduction method
95% EtOH
electric thermocouple
mg/kg
Antiiflammatory
WP
----------
95% EtOH
Volume plethysmographically
Albino mice
100 mg/kg
(47)
CNS-depressant
WP
----------
95% EtOH
Behavioural study
Albino mice
50 and 100
(47)
mg/kg
Anticancer
WP
----------
EA
---------------
Hepatocellularcarcinoma
MeOH
AP
Macera.
MeOH
-----------
(270)
-----------
(271)
cell line
RT PCR analysis
MCF 10A, MCF-7 and MDAMB-231 cell lines
al
AP
king
ective
WP
----------
tOH
s and
Iran J Basic Med Sci, Vol. 22, No. 11, Nov 2019
ial
WP
ty
WP
/kg
264)
nd
104)
1237
kg
la.
tOH
ium
l
214)
ents
kg
6)
Noureen et al.
An overview of the genus Cuscuta
Continued Table 4.
AP
Macera.
MeOH
RT PCR analysis
MCF 10A, MCF-7 and MDA-
-----------
(271)
1000 mg/kg
(264)
20, 100 and
(104)
MB-231 cell lines
Antiviral
AP
Shaking
MeOH
RT-PCR analysis
Peripheral blood
mononuclear cell
Hepatoprotective
WP
----------
75% EtOH
Biochemical parameters and
Mice
histological
C. racemosa
Antimicrobial
WP
C. pedicellata
Anti-obesity
WP
Antioxidant
Sd
Percola.
Soxhlet
500 mg/kg
70% EtOH
Dilution in a liquid medium
Staphylococcus aureus
2 mg/ml
(214)
EtOH
Biochemical measurements
Albino rats
400 mg/kg
(26)
MeOH
DPPH assay
------------------
--------------
(232)
Water
-----------------
Xanthomonas campestris
--------------
(74)
MeOH
Agar well diffusion
Staphylococcus aureus
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
100 μl
(168)
method
67 μl
(168)
Macera.
Antibacterial
L
Decoc.
infusion
L
----------
St
Fr
Klebsiella pneumonia
Acinetobacter baumannii
Antifungal
L
----------
MeOH
Agar tube dilution method
Aspergillus fumigatus,
St
Aspergillus flavus
Fr
Rhizopus oryzae
Cytotoxic
L
potential
St
----------
MeOH
----------
MeOH
Brine shrimp assay
--------------------
--------------
(168)
Albumin denaturation,
--------------------
200 μg/ml
(168)
Fr
C. epithymum
C. kotschyana
anti-
L
inflammatory
St
membrane stabilization
Fr
proteinase inhibitory assays
Hepatoprotective
Anticancer
WP
Soxhlet
MeOH
Blood serum parameters
Wistar albino rats
400 mg/kg BW
(182)
Sd
Decoc.
2N HCl EA
MTT assay
MCf-7 cell line
100 μg/ml
(77)
St
C. mitraeformis
Annexin V
Antioxidant
St
Hydro. dil
Antimicro-bial
St
Hydro. dil
n-hex
DPPH assay
---------------------
--------------
(78)
n-hex
Broth microdilution method
Clavibacter michiganensis
--------------
(78)
100 mg/kg
(257)
aceton
Erwinia carotovora
Pseudomonas syringae
C. arvensis
Analgesic activity
WP
----------
n-hex,
Writhing test
Swiss albino mice
DCM
EA
MeOH
water
WP whole plant; AP aerial parts; Fl flower; St stem; Sd seed;Fr fruit; L leaves; Aq. aqueous; MeOH methanol; EtOH ethanol; Pet. eth petroleum
ether; n-hex n-hexan; EA ethyl acetate; DMC dichloromethane; CF chloroform; Macera maceration; Decoc decoction; Hydro. Dil hydro distillation;
Percola percolation; Sonicat sonication; Hot Ex hot extraction; Suc. Ex successive extraction
Seed oil of C. pedicellata was extracted with petroleum
ether (pet. ether) and lipid contents were saponified
to separate unsaponifiable materials and fatty acids.
The extract was fractionated by using various solvents,
and antioxidant activity of all extracts (pet. ether,
unsaponified, fatty acids, 70 % methanol, ethyl acetate,
and chloroform) was appraised by DPPH free radical
assay. The methanol extract was found most potent
(230).
In another study, a correlation was established
between antioxidant activity and total phenolic content
of aerial parts of three Iranian Cuscuta species. C.
approximate, C. monogyna and C. campestris were
estimated by using DPPH microplate method. The
highest concentration of phenolic compounds was
found in C. monogyna and C. approximata. TPC of
1238
plant methanolic extracts was determined. Methanolic
extracts of C. approximata and C. monogyna contain
highest amounts of total phenolic, 56.67 mg/g and 49.59
mg/g, respectively, while antioxidant potential was in
the order C. monogyna ˃ C. approximate ˃ C. campestris
(14).
Ethyl acetate fraction of ethanolic extract of C.
chinensis seeds possesses strongest antioxidant effect
with kaempferol and quercetin as its main constituents.
It hunts free radicals and inhibits liquid peroxidation
(198, 239). The same fraction of methanolic extract
was ascertained as an effective antioxidant by DPPH
free radical scavenging assay (222). Moreover,
aqueous extract of C. chinensis can protect murine
osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells against tertiary butyl
hydroperoxide induced injury because of its oxidation
Iran J Basic Med Sci, Vol. 22, No. 11, Nov 2019
An overview of the genus Cuscuta
stress management potential and functioning against
mitochondria-dependent pathways (240). In another
experiment, flavonoids of C. chinensis were evaluated
for their protective effect against oxidative stress. The
survival rate of PC12 cells having H2O2-induced apoptosis
was measured. The protective effect was possibly due to
scavenging of reactive oxidative species and enhanced
activity of antioxidant enzyme (241). Essential oils
and carotenoids separated from C. mitraeformis also
showed antioxidant activity (78). These results suggest
that Cuscuta plants are enriched with highly important
natural antioxidants that may be used in development
of functional foods and drugs effective against diseases
caused by oxidative stress. Isolation, identification and
possible synergism among various components may be
the subject of interest for further studies.
Hepatoprotective
Anti-hepatotoxic drug designing is a major
thrust area seeking the attention of natural product
researchers because synthetic formulations have
serious side effects. C. epithymum is traditionally used
as a liver tonic. C. epithymum whole plant extracted in
methanol exhibited appreciably high hepatoprotective
effect against CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity in albino
rats. Elevated serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST),
alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase
(ALP) and total bilirubin have confirmed hepatic damage
after CCl4 administration. C. epithymum prevented the
toxic effect in both anticipatory and curative models,
which may be due to the presence of various bioactive
moieties, including phenolics, flavonoids, and alkaloids
(185).
Many investigators have studied the curative effect
of C. reflexa against liver damage induced by cisplatin,
paracetamol, carbon tetrachloride, ethanol, isoniazid,
and rifampicin. Various biochemical measurements
were observed including ALT, AST, ALP, and total bilirubin
before and after the administration of C. reflexa extract.
It improved liver function by significantly reducing
the serum ALT, AST, and ALP levels in affected rats
comparable to standard. Histopathological examination
of liver section supports the results (32, 242, 243).
Ethanolic extract of C. australis also appeared as liver
protector against acetaminophen intoxication in an
animal model. Two groups of rats were intoxicated on
day eight after receiving doses of C. australis seed and
stem extract separately for seven days. In untreated rats,
severe periportal hepatic necrosis, considerably raised
serum liver damage markers, noticeably augmented lipid
peroxidation and suppressed liver antioxidant enzymes
activities were witnessed. Comparative evaluation of
seed and stem extract proves that stem is a more potent
hepatoprotective counterpart than seed (70).
Seeds of C. chinensis are commonly employed to
nourish and improve hepatic disorders in China and
various other Asian countries. Oxidative stress can
stimulate the development of acetaminophen-induced
hepatotoxicity. Liver protecting and antioxidant
activities of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of C.
chinensis on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity
in rats. Ethanolic extract showed a significant
hepatoprotective effect at an oral dose of 125 and
250 mg/kg confirmed by the measurement of various
Iran J Basic Med Sci, Vol. 22, No. 11, Nov 2019
Noureen et al.
parameters and observation of liver histopathology.
Comparatively same doses of the aqueous extract were
found ineffective rather; it resulted in further hepatic
deterioration (33). C. chinensis nanoparticles were
found more effective in this regard (198, 239). Thus,
from the above findings it can be observed that many
Cuscuta species are promising hepatoprotective agents
supporting the claims of traditional healers. Further
investigations on chemical components are needed to
pinpoint the findings.
Antidiabetic
Diabetes mellitus is becoming a growing threat for
a vast population in almost all countries of the world
due to a sluggish lifestyle leading to reduced physical
activity and increase in obesity (244). Methanolic and
chloroform extracts of C. reflexa whole plant exhibited
significant hypoglycemic activity at doses of 50, 100,
and 200 mg/kg body weight. Oral glucose tolerance test
was used to estimate the effect in glucose-loaded Long
Evans rats (50). Administration of methanolic extract C.
reflexa to glucose-loaded mice led to notable reductions
in blood glucose and improved metabolic alterations,
thereby justifying its traditional folkloric claims (89,
245).
Antidiabetic activity of C. chinensis was evaluated
in dexamethasone-induced insulin-resistant human
liver carcinoma (HepG2) cells (246). C. chinensis
polysaccharides can reduce blood sugar level in type2 diabetes. Efficacy was tested on alloxan-induced
diabetes in a mice model. Orally administrated doses
of 300 and 600 mg/kg remarkably decreased the
elevated fasting blood glucose (247-248). In a similar
study, oral administration of 200 and 400 mg/kg
polysaccharides significantly lessened blood glucose
along with glycosylate serum protein (249). A Chinese
herbal prescription, Zhujing pill, having more than 50
% C. chinensis protected retina of diabetic rats, possibly
through its antioxidation and anti-inflammatory effects
(250). Recently mechanism of hypoglycemic activity of
C. chinesis on type 1 diabetic disease was investigated
using a rat model. Daily administration of C. chinesis
extract returned fasting serum insulin and fasting
blood glucose to normal value by upregulating the gene
expression of hepatic and pancreas genes (251). It is
crucial to continue the exploration of hypoglycaemic
effect of more plants as these are blessed with similar
chemical profile.
Anti-inflammatory
Inflammatory reactions play a decisive role in
different phases of pathogenesis of cancer. So, there
may be an assumption that anti-inflammatory drugs
can induce apoptosis in cancerous cells and may be
equally beneficial as preventive measure and therapy
(252). Aqueous and alcoholic extracts of stem of C.
reflexa and its ethyl acetate fraction showed remarkable
anti-inflammatory activity in in vitro and in vivo tests.
Inflammation was induced by various chemicals like
histamine and lipopolysaccharide. It was observed
that extracts inhibited inflammatory responses that
can be related to the presence of flavonoids, phenols,
and polyphenols in this plant (43-44, 253). C. reflexa
significantly suppressed inflammation by reducing
1239
Noureen et al.
edema volume up to 80 % in rats as compared to
standard 96.36 % (254).
C. campestris markedly inhibited carrageenaninduced edema in rats by oral pretreatment with 100
mg/kg extract (47). C. chinensis, by suppressing the
inflammatory responses showed the potential for
treatment of brain inflammation (255). Moreover,
λ-carrageenan-induced paw edema treatment by using
the methanolic extract of C. chinensis seed in mice,
also confirmed its anti-inflammatory effect (256). C.
pedicelleta and C. arvensis were found effective against
inflammation (168, 257). Further studies must be
conducted to clarify the mechanism and to figure out the
active principle behind the activity.
Antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral
Continuous and urgent exploration is required for
new antimicrobial agents with new compositions and
diverse mechanisms of action to overcome antimicrobial
modifications (9). Methanolic extract of C. reflexa was
found significantly active against a broad spectrum of
bacterial species including S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, S.
dysenteriae, S. boydii, and E. coli with impressive zone of
inhibition (27, 258-260).
Xanthomonas campestris (XC) is a widely spread
infectious agent causing a huge loss in food crops
with visible symptoms and leave shedding. Aqueous
decoction and infusion extract of C. pedicellata were
evaluated for antibacterial activity against diverse
pathovars of XC using in vitro well diffusion method.
Inhibition zone diameter was observed from 1.0 to 5.0
cm (74). The methanolic extract also showed promising
high antimicrobial activity (168). C. australis is another
species having notable antibacterial effect. The 50
% methanolic extract was fractionated by hexane,
ethyl acetate, and butanol with various polarities.
All fractions were tested against fungal, yeast and
various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. All
extracts except n-hexane were found effective against
different species (261). Additionally, methanolic
extract of C. epithymum was also significantly active
against Bordetella bronchiseptica demonstrating zone
of inhibition from 10–14 mm (262). C. europaea was
active against Staphylococcus aureus even higher than
standard drug Amoxicillin. These results lead toward
the concept that this plant can be used as a safer option
against this microbe (263). Recently essential oils and
carotenoids separated from C. mitraeformis were found
antibacterial (78).
In addition to many other species of genus Cuscuta,
C. racemose offers flavonoids as chief metabolites.
Slightly positive antimicrobial activity of this plant was
observed against S. aureus using dilution in a liquid
medium method. Minimum inhibiting concentration
was 2.0 mg/ml. Phenolic compounds are documented
as antimicrobial substances. So, the activity can be
ascribed to the flavonoids and tannins in the plant (52).
Several secondary metabolites like flavans, flavones,
and quinic acid derivatives have been found active
against HIV infection. Crude aqueous extracts of C.
reflexa exhibited anti-HIV activity. Virus inhibition
may be attributed to the combinatory effects of nine
closely related compounds (49). An antiviral protein
with significantly high inhibiting property was isolated
1240
An overview of the genus Cuscuta
from the aqueous extract of C. reflexa (219). Methanolic
extract of C. campestris showed weak anti-HIV activity
(264). A number of species have been found effective
against microbes. It is recommended that further
studies with isolated components instead of extracts
may be more useful to identify the active compounds.
Antitumor effect
Some species of the genus Cuscuta afford alkaloids
with indolic nuclei that are considered potential
antitumor substances. C. chinensis is a popular
antitumor prescription in the Unani medicine system.
Oral administration of the plant extract at a dose of 1
g/kg noticeably delayed the appearance and growth of
skin papilloma and reduced the chances of carcinoma
(30). Anticancer activity of C. chinensis has been
evaluated by several pharmacological studies using a
variety of cell lines. Results prove that it can act as an
integrative approach to encounter ever-growing disease
management (22, 31, 265- 267).
In vivo anticancer potential of C. reflexa was
determined by using murine models. Alcoholic extract
and its chloroform fraction were found more potent. It
showed highest toxicity against human breast cancer
cell lines. Similarly, chloroform part of extract of alcohol
showed considerable tumor growth inhibition, which
reveals that these extracts interfere in cell proliferation
to inhibit cancer (15). It can induce apoptosis in Hep3B
cells (253). Phenolic components isolated from C. reflexa
were also assessed in HCT116 colorectal cells amongst
which 1-O-p-hydroxycinnamoylglucose could show
considerable anticancer activity (10).
The seed extract of C. kotschyana induced apoptosis
in breast cancer cell line (MCF7) (77). As the major
active phytoconstituents of C. kotschyana are flavonols,
quercetin, and kaempferol (231) and quercetin has been
found to reduce cell viability of quite a lot of cancer
cell lines in vitro (268-269). Therefore, these facts are
consistent with results that the exposure of MCF7 cells
to C. kotschyana considerably reduced viability (77).
C. campestris also has anticancer agents (270).
Detection and evaluation of phytochemicals suggested
that eugenol epoxide, lutein epoxide, and lupeol epoxide
formed the most active fractions and exhibited the
cytotoxic effects against breast cancer cells (271). In
a recent effort, efficacy of a Korean herbal formula
Ga Gam Nai Go Hyan containing C. japonica against
benign prostatic hyperplasia was evaluated. This herbal
prescription significantly decreases prostate weight
by regulating inflammatory responses and apoptosis
(92). There is need to develop new technologies such
as nanoparticles to improve the therapeutic effect of
compounds isolated from these plants. Further efforts
may be used to design sustained and targeted drug
release systems to improve avoiding side effects.
Immunological effects
Ethanolic extract of C. chinensis showed considerable
adjuvant potentials towards cellular and humoral
immune responses in mice models and can be used as
vaccine adjuvants. Extract enhanced specific antibodies
(IgG, IgG1, and IgG2b) to a noticeably high level by
affecting Th1 and Th2 cell functions (272). Dendritic
cells play a key role in regulating immune responses
Iran J Basic Med Sci, Vol. 22, No. 11, Nov 2019
An overview of the genus Cuscuta
and are a major target to develop immune modulators.
n-butanol and methanol extracts exhibited the
immunosuppressive effect on dendritic cells. Kaempferol
was identified as the main flavonoid of methanol
fraction. Results suggest that kaempferol has potential
to treat chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases
(273). Furthermore, aqueous extract of C. chinensis also
improved the immune responses (274). C. chinensis can
protect against tertiary butyl hydroperoxide induced
murine osteoblastic MC3T3-E1cell injury. Aqueous
extract of seeds protected cells in a dose-dependent
manner by modulating the oxidative stress-induced
apoptosis probably owing to its antioxidant potential
(240). C. australis may act as an immunopotentiator for
mammals by increasing the percentage of phagocytosis
(275). C. australis hyperoside can decrease T or B
lymphocyte proliferation and phagocytic activity of the
peritoneal M and mediate immune regulation (276).
Effect on the neuronal system
C. chinensis can act as a neuroactive agent and
improves memory by inducing cell differentiation.
Glycoside of the plant induced neuronal differentiation
in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells (277). In another
experiment, C. chinensis improved memory and inhibited
acetylcholinesterase activity in scopolamine-induced
dysmnesia mice (278). Oral administration of its
aqueous extract recovered the ischemia-induced lethal
damage of neurons and prevented learning disability
(51). A traditional Chinese formula Wu-Zi-Yan-Zong
containing C. chinensis suppresses neuroinflammatory
responses and can act as an effective therapeutic agent
to prevent and treat neuroinflammatory defects (279).
Anti-aging activities
C. chinensis is an important antiaging prescription
of the Chinese herbal medicinal system. Various
experimental efforts have been employed to test the
certainty of the claim. Polysaccharides of C. chinensis can
exhibit anti-aging effects by scavenging free radicals and
opposing lipid peroxidation (280). Ethanolic extract of
C. chinensis significantly suppressed the non-enzymatic
glycosylation of D-galactose-induced rat aging model
(281). Various research reports obviously show that
it can regulate immune responses, prolong cell cycle,
positively affect body metabolism, improve physiology
of internal body organs, and stress management, which
proves its anti-aging effects (282).
Antihypertensive
Ethanolic extract of C. reflexa decreased arterial blood
pressure and heartbeat rate in Pentothal anesthetized
rats. Experimental data indicated that it is a non-specific
depressant on all the isolated tissues tested (283). In the
course of experiments, ethyl acetate fraction of C. japonica
exhibited distinctive angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)
inhibition at a dose of 400 mg/ml. Four caffeoylquinic
acid derivatives were isolated from the active fraction
having inhibitory effects on ACE activity. Presence of
these metabolites, at least in part is responsible for the
antihypertensive activity extract (229).
Anti-osteoporotic activity
C. chinensis effectively boasted tissue regeneration
Iran J Basic Med Sci, Vol. 22, No. 11, Nov 2019
Noureen et al.
of damaged bones by promoting the formation of
osteoblasts from their precursor cells (284). It has
been demonstrated in an experimental report that
aqueous extract of C. chinensis significantly stimulated
the differentiation and proliferation of osteoblasts in rat
bone cells, but the osteoclasts activities were inhibited
(285-286). Antagonistically antiosteoporotic effect of
C. chinensis was also observed. Five flavonoids were
isolated from which kaempferol and hyperoside were
found osteogenic in nature (22).
Renoprotective effects
Aqueous and alcoholic extract of C. reflexa exhibited
substantial diuretic activity in Wister rats. Total urine
volume and Na +, K + and Cl− concentration was estimated
after a dose of 300 mg/kg extract. There was a marked
rise in Na + and K + excretion (45). C. chinensis has been
used as a kidney tonic since ancient times. Effect of seed
extract on renal function parameters in the rat model
having ischemia/reperfusion-induced acute renal
failure was studied. Results indicate that C. chinensis
extract ameliorates renal functions and regulates urine
concentration (287).
Effect on the reproductive system
C. reflexa has an antifertility effect. Methanolic extract
arrested the normal estrus cycle and decreased ovarian
and uterus weight in adult female mice. Flavonoids are
reported as antifertility agents, and C. reflexa is rich in
flavonoids, so results can be attributed to the presence
of such compounds (42).
C. chinensis extract, and its isolations can improve
reproductive systems of both males and females.
Ethanolic extract of C. chinensis induces a relaxing effect
on cavernous penile tissue and may improve erectile
dysfunction conditions (288). Many formulations of
C. chinensis with other herbal prescriptions enhanced
penile erection, improved erectile dysfunction, infantile
uteruses, and motility of sperm (154, 289-291).
An herbal formula, KH-204 containing C. chinensis,
ameliorates erectile dysfunction by its antioxidant and
lipid profile improving property (292). Effect of various
flavonoids from C. chinensis on sex hormones, and
prevention of induced and threatened abortion were
evaluated by measuring different parameters in a mice
model (293-297).
Anti-mutagenic activity
Mutations elicit an innate metabolic defect in regular
cellular systems and lead to morbidity and mortality in
mutated organisms. Therefore, exploration for novel
bioactive phytocompounds to encounter promutagenic
and carcinogenic effects is a subject of keen interest
(298). Preliminary evaluation of methanolic extract of
C. chinensis suppressed 90 % of mutagenic effect against
Trp-P-1 in the Ames test, suggesting it as a potential
antimutagenic agent (299).
Mutagenic and antimutagenic effects of C. reflexa
were also studied by the Ames test against well-known
positive mutagens including 2-aminofluorine, 4-nitroo-phenylenediamine, and sodium azide in Salmonella
typhimurium (TA 98 and TA 100) bacterial strains. The
extract revealed noteworthy antimutagenic activity
against 4-nitro-o-phenylenediamine and sodium azide
1241
Noureen et al.
for S. typhimurium strains (122).
Cardiovascular activities
The aging process is accompanied by so many diseases
like diabetes, cancer, dementia, and cardiovascular
diseases. Heart diseases, leading causes of mortality are
due to cardiomyocyte apoptosis which play a key role
in myocardial damage and heart failure (300-302). In
an experiment, effect of polysaccharide of C. chinensis
was investigated on D-galactose induced apoptosis
of cardiomyocytes in an aging rate model. Apoptosis
parameter evaluation indicated that polysaccharide
extract decreased the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes
(303). C. chinensis extract can increase coronary blood
flow and decrease myocardial oxygen consumption
(304).
CNS depressant activities and anti-depressant
activities
Central nervous system (CNS) disorders comprise
12 % of deaths worldwide and are still a hugely
challenging endeavor for health care systems. Plenty
of Convolvulaceae species, including Cuscuta members,
are used to treat CNS related diseases traditionally and
might be used as alternatives (184).
C. campestris affects the CNS action and decreases
motor activity of mice sited on a rotarod. Various tests
applied indicated the CNS-depressant activity of the
extract, which probably seems due to an anesthetizing
effect (8, 47). In another experimental trial, methanolic
extract of C. reflexa served as a good anxiolytic agent in
mice at a dose of 400 mg/kg (305).
C. chinensis methanolic extract considerably reduced
immobility times estimated by FST forced swimming
test, which reveals its antidepressant activity (306).
While its aqueous extract shows CNS-depressant
activity in mice by reducing motor activity and the
tonic/clonic phases of electrically-induced seizures in
rats (157). Recently a Chinese herbal medicine, Tiansi
liquid, containing C. chinensis was evaluated for its
antidepressant activity, and possible mechanism of
action was predicted by in silico study (307). Capsules
of C. planiflora (500 mg) prepared by a pharmacist were
found effective for major depression patients. In a study
period of eight weeks depression was measured before
and after by Beck Depression Inventory and Hamilton
Depression Inventory (308).
Effect on melanin production
C. chinensis can promote melanogenesis of amelanotic
melanocytes and improved the tyrosinase activities
(247-248). Furthermore, it significantly enhanced skin
melanin and tyrosinase production. It also positively
affected vitiligo treatment in guinea pigs (309).
Moreover, there is another report on melanogenesis
effect of C. chinensis seeds aqueous and ethanolic extracts
both in vitro and in vivo. The aqueous extract showed
inhibitory effect on tyrosinase, while the ethanolic
extract displayed the opposite effect in tyrosinase
activity (160). In a similar study aqueous and ethanolic
extracts of C. chinensis seeds significantly influenced the
melanogenesis by regulating the activity of tyrosinase
(310). Consumption of the C. chinensis extract with milk
reduced the melatonin synthesis and thus ameliorated
1242
An overview of the genus Cuscuta
the elimination of melasma (311).
C. japonica has an inhibitory effect on mushroom
tyrosinase activity (312). It can also be used to
improve hyperpigmentation. It was ascertained by the
treatment of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormoneinduced melanogenesis with aqueous extract in mouse
melanoma cells (69).
Anti hair fall and anthelmintic activities
Hair loss is a feared side effect of chemotherapy and
creates a psychologically distressing condition among
millions of men and women due to the deprivation
of their major esthetic display feature. Plants as hair
growth promotors have found their use in almost all
traditional medicinal systems. C. reflexa extract is useful
in the treatment of alopecia by promoting hair growth
(40, 313). Methanolic extract of C. chinensis was used as
an anthelmintic drug against Dactylogyrus intermedius
in goldfish (314).
Analgesic and psychopharmacological
C. campestris has analgesic properties. The whole
plant grown on Nerium indicum was studied. Acetic acid
induced writhing test and heat conduction method were
used to study the described activity in an animal model.
A dose of 400 mg/kg methanolic extract gave significant
results as compared to standard Diclofenac sodium
(46). In a similar experiment, protecting response
against p-benzoquinone-induced writhing was studied
by giving a dose of 100 mg/kg to mice, which suggested
the analgesic activity of the extract (47). C. chinensis
also has a pain-relieving ability which was examined
by using acetic acid-induced writhing response and
formalin-induced paw licking method (256).
Petroleum ether extract of C. reflexa noticeably
decreased the spontaneous activity and behavior profile
of Swiss albino mice. Steroids, the major constituents of
the extract may be responsible for such changes (39).
C. Japonica treatment improved the cognitive function
of mice in a dose-dependent manner. Novel object
recognition and passive avoidance test proved that it
might improve learning and memory (315).
Antipyretic and antiulcer
Antipyretics agents lessened the body temperature in
fever. Efficacy of C. reflexa as an antipyretic agent was
confirmed in yeast induced pyrexia in rats. Aqueous
and ethanolic extracts were both found active and
started rectal temperature decline after three hours of
dose. A dose of 400 mg/kg weight reduced the elevated
temperature approximately 83.8 % (ethanolic) and 79
% (aqueous) as compared to the standard drug (96.5
%, Paracetamol) after six hours of treatment (48). C.
campestris markedly lowered the body temperature of
hyperthermic and normothermic mice (47).
Lyophilized raw extract of C. racemosa possesses
antiulcer activity, which was ascertained by a test
showing 44.22 % rate of activity, and 37.05 % rate of
cure against acute and sub-chronic models of ulcers,
respectively (52).
Anticonvulsant and anti-obesity
C. epithymum have effective anticonvulsant
constituents and delayed the onset of seizure (316).
Iran J Basic Med Sci, Vol. 22, No. 11, Nov 2019
An overview of the genus Cuscuta
Methanolic extract of C. reflexa stem demonstrated
preventive effects against convulsion created by
chemical agents in mice. Catecholamines levels
augmented considerably. After a six-week treatment,
γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) involved in seizure
activity was noticeably increased in the brains of
mice (317). Ethanolic extract of C. reflexa significantly
reduced convulsions by delaying onset and duration of
seizures in an albino mice model. A dose of 400 mg/kg
showed maximum delay in pentylenetetrazole induced
convulsions (238).
C. pedicellata is widely used for management of obesity.
Ethanolic extract of C. pedicellata has significantly
reduced the bodyweight along with serum lipid profile
in high-fat diet-fed rats (26). Recently, polyphenols are
reported to possess anti-obesity activity (318).
Cytotoxicity, insecticidal, antiarthritic, and wound
healing activity
The ethanolic extract C. reflexa, parasitizing Nerium
oleander, exhibited promising cytotoxic activity (208).
Lectin-like glycoproteins isolated from C. europaea
demonstrated the cytotoxic effects of LLP and LLP on
C127 and B-16 cells (319). Various extracts of the plant
have larvicidal potential against mosquitoes (320). C.
reflexa protects against arthritis and nephrotoxicity. A
dose at 600 mg/kg considerably reduced paw edema
and joint swelling up to 71.22 % (321). Aqueous and
ethanolic extracts of C. reflexa stem at 200 mg/kg and
400 mg/kg were able to heal wounds in a rat model
(322).
Conclusion
Cuscuta genus is a rich and diverse source of many
valuable chemical components. It is loaded with
flavonoids, alkaloids, lignans, polysaccharides, steroids,
volatile oils, and resin glycosides. Medicinal importance
of its various species is part of prehistoric texts.
Traditionally it is considered a miracle genus equipped
with broad spectrum of remedial values. Decoctions,
extracts, paste, powder, juice, and infusions of different
parts of the plants are important herbal prescriptions in
traditional medicinal systems.
A lot of experimentation has been employed to verify
its phytotherapy as claimed by traditional healers and
local inhabitants. C. reflexa, C. chinensis, C. pedicellata,
C. approximate, C. monogyna, C. campestris, and C.
mitraeformis have shown impressive antioxidant activity.
C. chinensis, C. australis, C. reflexa, and C. epithymum are
significantly hepatoprotective in nature. Some species of
Cuscuta including C. reflexa, C. chinensis, C. campestris,
C. japonica, and C. kotschyana have been reported
potentially antitumor against various cancer cell lines.
Moreover crude extracts and compounds from the
various parts possessed antibacterial, antiosteoporotic,
anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, analgesic, anti hair
fall, analgesic, and antiestrogenic properties.
Rich and unrivaled medicinal history demands
verification with modern scientific methodologies.
Only a few of the species are thoroughly investigated
up till now, especially C. reflexa and C. chinensis out of
nearly 170, while the rest of the members are partially
or fully undiscovered in terms of phytochemistry and
pharmacology. Most of the efforts are limited to in
Iran J Basic Med Sci, Vol. 22, No. 11, Nov 2019
Noureen et al.
vitro and in vivo animal models or cell line level. Very
few clinical studies are reported in humans. Although a
good deal of secondary metabolites with multitudinous
pharmacological attributes have been isolated, identified,
and characterized but most of the pharmacological
investigations are extract-based. Further studies must
be conducted to clarify the mechanism and to figure
out the active principle behind the activity to use these
compounds as leads and template in development of
new drugs.
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