• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.425-436
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• 2010

Objectives : Hypothyroidism is a relatively common endocrinologic disease, especially among older women. Western medical doctors treat hypothyroidism with levothyroxine, however there are several side effects, including thyrotoxicosis, atrial fibrillation, osteoporosis, etc. Therefore, traditional Korean medicine(TKM) offers an appealing alternative therapy for hypothyroidism. In this study, Cuscuta Semen was used to analyze its possible effect on a hypothyroidism rat model induced by propylthiouracil(PTU). Methods : 24 two-month-old Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats were divided into 4 groups: normal (n=6), PTU-induced hypothyroidism control(n=6), hypothyroidism rat treated with Cuscuta Semen (n=6), and hypothyroidism rat treated with levothyroxine(n=6). PTU was administered for 4 weeks, Cuscuta Semen and levothyroxine was administered 2 weeks after PTU was initiated for a total duration of 2 weeks. Blood samples from all the rats were taken from their hearts and analyzed. Results : When compared to the normal group, the PTU-induced control group showed significantly lower $T_4$, $T_3$ levels and significantly higher TSH level, which is indicative of hypothyroidism. The Cuscuta Semen group had significantly higher $T_4$ and significantly lower TSH than the control group(p<0.05). There was no significant difference in biochemical labs and weight between the Cuscuta Semen and control groups. Conclusions : These results suggest that Cuscuta Semen could be effective in increasing thyroid hormone production, and be powerful enough to affect the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis. Also, no adverse effects related with Cuscuta Semen were found, suggesting that it is relatively safe to administer. In conclusion, it seems that Cuscuta Semen is a safe alternative medicine for hypothyroidism.

• Journal of Integrative Natural Science
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.115-121
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• 2008

This study was performed to examine the effect of ${\gamma}$-irradiation on the volatile organic compounds of Cuscutae Semen (Cuscuta chinensis L.). The volatile organic compounds of non-irradiated and 10 kGy ${\gamma}$-irradiated Cuscutae Semen were isolated using SDE apparatus and analyzed by GC/MS. Limonene, ethanol, (E)-2-decenal, hexadecanol, nonanoic acid and nonanal were detected as dominant compounds. Before irradiation, the total concentration of volatile organic compounds of Cuscutae Semen was approximately 189.90 mg/kg. After irradiation at 10 kGy, total concentrations increased to 299.46 mg/kg, but, the profile of volatile compounds including the essential oils of Cuscutae Semen was not differ from non- and irradiated sample. Therefore it was improved the extraction yield of useful compounds such as limonene, menthol, piperitone and isomenthone by irradiation.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.42-51
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• 2012

Objectives: This study used the basic principle of Oriental medicine, the sovereign, minister, assistant and courier principle (君臣佐使論) to investigate the effects of the component of ONGABO, which is composed of Ginseng Radix (Red Ginseng), Angelica Gigantis Radix, Schisandrae Fructus, Cuscuta Semen and Curcumae tuber on the viability of HepG2 cells. Methods: Single and mixed extracts of the component of ONGABO were prepared by lypohilizing powder of Red Ginseng (6-year root from Kanghwa), Angelica Gigantis Radix, Schisandrae Fructus, Cuscuta Semen, Curcumae Tuber (from Omniherb Co., Ltd., Korea) at the laboratory of herbal medicine in Woosuk University and were eluted after being macerated with 100% ethanol for three days. The cell viability of HepG2 was determined by using an absorptiometric analysis with PrestoBlue (Invitrogen) reagent after the plate had been incubated for 48 hours. All of the experiments were repeated three times to obtain the average value and standard deviation. The statistical analysis was done and the correlation factor was obtained by using Microsoft Office Excel 2007 and Origin 6.0 software. Results: Although Ginseng Radix (Red Ginseng) and Schisandrae Fructus did not enhance the viability of HepG2 cells, they were shown to provide protection of those cells. On the other hand, Angelica Gigantis Radix decreased the viability of HepG2 cells significantly, Cuscuta Semen and Curcumae Tuber had a small or no effect on the viability of HepG2 cells. Conclusions: In the sovereign, minister, assistant and courier principle (君臣佐使論), Ginseng Radix (Red Ginseng) corresponds to the sovereign component because it provides cell protection effects, Angelica Gigantis Radix corresponds to minister medicinal because it kills cells, Schisandrae Fructus corresponds to the assistant medicinal to help red ginseng having cell protect effects. Cuscuta Semen and Curcumae Tuber correspond to the courier medicinal having no effect in cell viability in HepG2. We hope this study provides motivation for advanced research on the sovereign, minister, assistant and courier principle.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.334-340
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• 2019

Cuscuta chinensis Lam. and Cuscuta japonica Choisy are parasitic plants. C. chinensis seeds were traditionally used for treatment of kidney and liver deficiencies. C. japonica seeds were used as tonic medicine to improve liver function and strengthen kidneys, treatment of high blood pressure, chronic diarrhea, and sore eyes. Cuscutae Semen are seeds of only C. chinensis in Korean Herbal Pharmacopoeia (K.H.P.). The developed HPLC-PDA method easily, accurately, and sensitively quantified using eight marker compounds [hyperoside (1), astragalin, (2), quercetin (3), kaempferol (4), chlorogenic acid (5), 3,4-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (6), 1,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (7), and 4,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (8)]. In addition, the method may be used to distinguish seeds between C. chinensis Lam. and C. japonica Choisy. Furthermore, the result from the current study was applied to clarify samples between steam processed and unprocessed samples of C. chinensis by pattern analysis.

• Journal of TMJ Balancing Medicine
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2013

Objectives and Methods: This study was conducted to investigate the formula of ONGABO to composed of Ginseng Radix (Red Ginseng), Angelica Gigantis Radix, Schisandrae Fructus, Cuscuta Semen, Curcumae Tuber with the method to observe the cell viability of HepG2 in the basic principle of oriental medicine formula study, Sovereign, Minister, Assistant and Courier principle (君臣佐使論). Results: Ginseng Radix (Red Ginseng) and Schisandrae Fructus were having a cell protection effect in HepG2 significantly. Angelica gigantis radix was decreased the cell viability of HepG2 significantly, and there were no effects for Cuscuta Semen and Curcumae Tuber to the cell viability of HepG2. Conclusions: As the above results, in the Sovereign, Minister, Assistant and Courier principle (君臣佐使論), Ginseng Radix (Red Ginseng) corresponds to sovereign medicinal having cell protect effects, angelica gigantis radix corresponds to minister medicinal having cell killing effects, Schisandrae Fructus corresponds to assistant medicinal to help red ginseng having cell protect effects. Cuscuta Semen and Curcumae Tuber correspond to courier medicinal having no effect in cell viability in HepG2. We hope the advanced research on sovereign, minister, assistant and courier principle will be proceed in the tomorrow.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.35 no.4 s.139
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• pp.375-379
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• 2004

According to the traditional chinese herbal Cuscuta japonica Choisy and C. australis R.Be (original plant of Semen Cuscutae in Korea) have been used to cure pimple. In order to prove their bacteriostatic effects against Propionibacterium acnes, we performed the micro broth dilution method. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of C. japonica juice was 27.3 mg/ml, but C. australis juice showed no effect. The MIC of water extracted C. japonica seed and Wontosa and Bupjetosa were $960\;{\mu}g/ml$. The MIC of both water and ethanol extracts of C. australis seed was $9240\;{\mu}g/ml$. But ethanol extracts of C. japonicaseeds, Wontosa and Bupjetosa had no bacteriostatic activity. We also performed the disk diffusion test, C. japonica juice had prominent effect. Water extracts of C. japonica seed, Wontosa and Bupjetosa showed bacterio-static effect in 10 mg/ml, and C. australis seed in 10 mg/ml. The ethanol extract of C. japonica seed, Wontosa and Bupjetosa, and C. australis seed showed bacteriostatic effect in 20 mg/ml.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.1-12
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• 2013

Objectives: This was study about identifying fine seed herbs that are highly mixed together: Celosiae Semen, Celoisae Cristatae Semen, Cuscutae Semen, Perillae Semen. Methods: In non-distinctive herbs through sensory test, we can find accurate discriminative points by using a stereoscope. As a result, a new discriminative key was completed. Results: We identified a comparison of herbs which are mixed up in distribution. 1) In the case of Celosiae Semen and Celoisae Cristatae Semen, Celoisae Cristatae Semen which is mixed up is bigger and more glossy and especially have the sunk umbilicus. 2) In the case of Cuscutae Semen and Perillae Semen, Perillae Semen is discriminated by characteristic morado netting surface and impression of fruit stalk in the single-ended. 3) In the case of Cuscutae Semen which is distributed in three species, we discriminated by beak shape, location of umbilicus and vomiting thread shape or not when put in water. (1) Cuscuta chinensis has a weak beaky shape, an umbilicus in center and is vomiting thread shape when put in water. (2) C. australis has very weak beaky shape, an umbilicus beneath and is vomiting thread shape when put in water. (3) C. japonica has clear beaky shape, an umbilicus beneath and is not vomiting thread shape when put in water. Conclusions: A stereoscope can be effectively used for identifying fine seed herbs hardly distinguishable by sensory tests.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.403-408
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• 2015

Traditionally, 5 kinds of fruits with "ja(子)" in their name, including Rubus coreanus, Schisandra chinensis, Lycinum chineuse, Torilidis fructus, and Cuscuta seed, collectively called Oja(五子), are long known to enhance stamina. In the present study, we replaced tosaja with gyeolmyeongja(Cassiae semen ) and examined the effects of extracts from these fruits on andropause. This study investigated the antioxidant effect and testosterone synthesis of Oja water extract on Leydig TM3 cells. To investigate whether hydrogen peroxide induces oxidative stress in Leydig cells, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT) assay, nitric oxide assay, and testosterone assay were performed on mouse Leydig TM3 cells. The results were obtained as follows: Leydig TM3 cells viability was assessed by a modified MTT assay, and the protection effect of Oja water extract against hydrogen peroxide-induced cell oxidative stress were examined by mitochondrial activity. Oja water extract could efficiently protect cytotoxicity induced by H₂O₂. Oja water extract promoted testosterone synthesis. These results suggest that Oja water extract has protective roles and promotes steroidogenesis in Leydig cells through its anti-oxidant action.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.8
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• pp.902-908
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• 2017

In this study, the extracted phenolic compounds from 98 species of oriental herbal medicine were examined for biological activities to be used as functional resources. In particular, the anti-gout effect by xanthine oxidase (XOase) inhibition was determined using water and ethanol as extraction solvents because of their non-toxicity in the human body. The extracts of Chrysanthemum indicum L. (83.45%), Cuscuta chinensis (60.22%), Asiasarum sieboldi F. Maekawa (51.66%), Acorus gramineus (67.8%), Aconitum pseudo-laeve var. erectum (75.23%), Thuja orientalis (47.27%), Polygonum aviculare (53.98%), Carthami semen (63.99%), and Syzygium aromaticum (40.22%) showed relatively high XOase inhibitory activity. Chrysanthemum indicum L. was selected for its high XOase inhibitory activity. The biological compounds in Chrysanthemum indicum L. were identified to contain phenolics included in extracts of solids. Ultra-fine grind technology showed a higher extraction yield than normal grind and fine grind technology. Ethanol extracts showed relatively higher XOase inhibitory activity than water extracts. XOase inhibitory activity increased in a dependent manner as phenolic concentration increased. Therefore, ultra-fine grind technology was confirmed for use in increasing the extraction yield of XOase inhibitory compounds from Chrysanthemum indicum L.. Extracts from Chrysanthemum indicum L. are expected to be a useful functional resource for the prevention or treatment of gout.