Ameliorating effects of Cuscuta chinensis Lamak extract on hind‑limb ischemia, and angiogenic‑ or inflammatory associated factors in ovariectomized mice

Abstract

Cuscuta chinensis Lamak (CCL) has traditionally been used in Korea to treat sexual disorders and skin problems. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of CCL extract on surgical injury-induced ischemia in the hind limbs of mice. Specifically, female C57BL/6 mice were ovariectomized, and their hind-limb vessels were ligated with surgical silk (6-0) and excised. CCL (150 or 450 mg/kg/BW) was then administered to the mice for 3 weeks, and the blood flow rate was evaluated using a laser Doppler system at -7, 0, 7, 14 and 21 days following hind-limb ischemia. The serum expression profiles of angiogenic and inflammatory mediators were measured using an antibody array, and the transcript levels were reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The rate of hind limb blood flow was normalized to non-ischemic lesions and revealed to be markedly elevated at 14 and 21 days following ischemia when compared with the vehicle group. The density of capillaries in the hind limbs was also significantly increased following treatment with CCL in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the transcriptional expression of angiogenetic factors were upregulated, whereas that of inflammatory cytokines were downregulated. Finally, vascular endothelial cell migration and tube formation were evaluated in vitro using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and identified to be significantly increased following treatment with CCL. Overall, the results of the present study indicate that CCL extract exhibits therapeutic potential for the treatment of hind-limb ischemia as it promotes peripheral angiogenic and anti-inflammatory effects in mice.

Exploring the Wound Healing Potential of a Cuscuta chinensis Extract-Loaded Nanoemulsion-Based Gel

“…Notably, these results are consistent with those of a study conducted by Kang et al, 2014, which reported that C. chinensis extracts had the ability to suppress the production of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 by down regulating their transcription levels [12]. Kim et al, 2019, also reported that C. chinensis extracts reduced the transcriptional levels of inflammatory factors, including TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, in mice [13]. Another study investigated the anti-inflammatory properties of a C. chinensis extract in mice when administered at concentrations of 100 and 500 mg/kg.…”

“…Moreover, it was found that C. chinensis seed extract could suppress the phosphorylation of extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1/2, Jun N-terminal kinase, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and NF-κB p65 in activated microglia [12]. Another study found that C. chinensis extract exhibited therapeutic potential for the treatment of hind-limb ischemia, as it promoted peripheral angiogenic and anti-inflammatory effects in mice [13].…”

Therapeutic effect of Cnidium officinale Makino extract on ovariectomized hind-limb ischemic mice

“…injection with E2 and the COM extract (150 and 300 mg/kg/day) and then euthanized 12 hours after the final injection. The normal and positive controls of this study have already been described in previous studies 13 . All animal experiments were approved by the Ethics Committee of Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine (approved No.…”

Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells and Hydrogel Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering

“…Peripheral arterial diseases (PAD) are severe medical conditions, which are characterized by blood vascular blockage and low limb Doppler signals and commonly associated with hind-limb ischemia or critical limb ischemia (CLI) [103]. For decades, we and other investigators have primarily suggested the therapeutic of MSCs or MSCderived exosomes in hind limb ischemia models by alleviating the severity, promoting angiogenesis, and enhancing immunomodulation [9,104,105].…”