Dodder

Dodder/Drug Interactions:

  • GeneralGeneral: According to secondary sources, there is a lack of available research investigating the interaction between Cuscuta and Western pharmaceuticals.
  • AnalgesicsAnalgesics: In human research, Cuscuta taken in combination with rehabilitation training and as part of a mixed herb traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulation composed of milkvetch root, tangshen, earthworm, akebia stem, desertliving cistanche, Chinese taxillus twig, obscured homalomena rhizome, and flowering quince fruit, decreased self-rated symptoms of knee joint pain in postoperative anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction patients (3).
  • Antineoplastic agentsAntineoplastic agents: In preclinical research, Cuscuta taken alone or as part of a mixed herb formulation containing herba Epimedium brevicornum, radix Morindae officinalis, fructus Rosa laevigatae Michx., Rubus chingii, Schisandra chinensis, Ligustrum lucidum, Psoralea corylifolia, and Astragalus membranaceus has demonstrated antimutagenic (5; 14), antitumorigenic (9), antiproliferative (15; 10), and apoptotic (15; 10) activity against a variety of cancerous agents, including Trp-P-1 (5), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) (15), rhabdomyosarcoma (10), and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) (14). In preclinical research, a glycolipid lactone extracted from the seeds of Cuscuta chinensis, cuscutic resinoside A, has been shown to stimulate both MCF-7 cell proliferation and T47D human breast cancer cells in vitro (70).
  • Drugs used for osteoporosisDrugs used for osteoporosis: In vitro research has suggested that Cuscuta chinensis taken alone or as part of a mixed herb formulation containing Angelica sinensis, Glycine max, Dioscorea villosa, Ligustrum lucidum, Astragalus membranaceus, Psoraleae corylifoliae, and Drynaria fortune exerts various bone-promoting effects, including stimulation of osteoblast activity (11; 23; 13) and inhibition of osteoclast activity (13).
  • Fertility agentsFertility agents: In rats induced with bromocriptine, spontaneous abortion was prevented via the regulation of proliferative and apoptotic processes in the deciduae and trophoblast (74). In male rats with spontaneous hypertension, a mixed herbal formulation containing seeds of Cuscuta chinensis, Lycium chinense, Cornus officinalis, Rubus coreanus, and Schizandra chinensis (KH-204) increased penile intracavernous pressure (ICP), NOS activity, and nNOS and eNOS expression, thereby contributing to improved penile erection (26). Additionally, semen Cuscutae has been shown to improve sperm motility and stabilize sperm membrane function in vitro (27).
  • Hepatotoxic agentsHepatotoxic agents: In rats with acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity, Cuscuta chinensis reduced levels of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase (6; 16).
  • Hormonal agentsHormonal agents: In human research, Cuscuta taken in combination with ultrasound-guided follicle aspiration (MFA) and as part of Bushen Huoxue (BSHX), a mixed herb TCM formulation containing rehmannia root, mulberry mistletoe, epimedium, psoralea fruit, Solomon's seal rhizome, honey locust thorn, peach kernel, Pleione bulbocodioides, red sage root, and licorice root, has decreased levels of luteinizing hormone, testosterone, sinus follicles, and mature follicles, as well as the ratio of luteinizing hormone to follicle-stimulating hormone and the use of pro-ovulatory human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG) medication in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) (4).
  • ImmunomodulatorsImmunomodulators: In preclinical research, Cuscuta chinensis has been shown to mediate the activity of various immune system compounds, including interferon (IFN)-gamma, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, T cells, B cells, IgG antibodies, and lymphocytes (71; 17; 8; 18). Additionally, ethanol extract of semen Cuscutae demonstrated a potentiating effect on concanavalin A-, pokeweed-, and ovalbumin (OVA)-induced splenocyte proliferative activity and increased OVA-specific IgG, IgG1, and IgG2b antibody levels and activity in the serum (18).
  • Joint agentsJoint agents: In postoperative anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction patients, a combination herbal formulation containing Cuscuta seed taken in conjunction with rehabilitation training has been shown to improve knee joint function (3).
  • Neurologic agentsNeurologic agents: In preclinical research, Cuscuta chinensis taken alone or in combination with other herbs, such as Codonopsis pilosula, Astragalus membranaceus, Poria cocos, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Cynomorium songoricum, Epimedium brevicornum, Panax ginseng, Atractylodes macrocephala, Poria cocos, Pinellia ternate, Brassica alba, Aconitum carmichaeli, and Cynanchum atratum, has demonstrated neural protective (21; 22) and memory-enhancing (25) effects against a variety of neuronal insults, including N-methyl-D: -aspartate receptor-mediated glutamate (21), nitrogen oxide (22), ischemia (21), and scopolamine (25).

    • Dodder/Herb/Supplement Interactions:

  • AnalgesicsAnalgesics: In human research, Cuscuta taken in combination with rehabilitation training and as part of a mixed herb traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulation composed of milkvetch root, tangshen, earthworm, akebia stem, desertliving cistanche, Chinese taxillus twig, obscured homalomena rhizome, and flowering quince fruit decreased self-rated symptoms of knee joint pain in postoperative anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction patients (3).
  • Antineoplastic agentsAntineoplastic agents: In preclinical research, Cuscuta taken alone or as part of a mixed herb formulation containing herba Epimedium brevicornum, radix Morindae officinalis, fructus Rosa laevigatae Michx., Rubus chingii, Schisandra chinensis, Ligustrum lucidum, Psoralea corylifolia, and Astragalus membranaceus has demonstrated antimutagenic (5; 14), antitumorigenic (9), antiproliferative (15; 10), and apoptotic (15; 10) activity against a variety of cancerous agents, including Trp-P-1 (5), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) (15), rhabdomyosarcoma (10), and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) (14). In preclinical research, a glycolipid lactone extracted from the seeds of Cuscuta chinensis, cuscutic resinoside A, has been shown to stimulate both MCF-7 cell proliferation and T47D human breast cancer cells in vitro (70).
  • Antioxidant agentsAntioxidant agents: Preclinical research has demonstrated that Cuscuta chinensis effectively scavenges toxic free radicals produced by hydrogen peroxide (8) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) (7). Additionally, ethanolic extract and suspended nanoparticles of Cuscuta chinensis have both been shown to reduce malondialdehyde (MDA), and increase superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels, in rats with acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity (6; 16).
  • Fertility agentsFertility agents: In rats induced with bromocriptine, spontaneous abortion was prevented via the regulation of proliferative and apoptotic processes in the deciduae and trophoblast (74). In male rats with spontaneous hypertension, a mixed herbal formulation containing seeds of Cuscuta chinensis, Lycium chinense, Cornus officinalis, Rubus coreanus, and Schizandra chinensis (KH-204) increased penile intracavernous pressure (ICP), NOS activity, and nNOS and eNOS expression, thereby contributing to improved penile erection (26). Additionally, semen Cuscutae has been shown to improve sperm motility and stabilize sperm membrane function in vitro (27).
  • Hepatotoxic herbs and supplementsHepatotoxic herbs and supplements: In rats with acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity, Cuscuta chinensis reduced levels of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase (6; 16).
  • Hormonal herbs and supplementsHormonal herbs and supplements: In human research, Cuscuta taken in combination with ultrasound-guided follicle aspiration (MFA) and as part of Bushen Huoxue (BSHX), a mixed herb TCM formulation containing rehmannia root, mulberry mistletoe, epimedium, psoralea fruit, Solomon's seal rhizome, honey locust thorn, peach kernel, Pleione bulbocodioides, red sage root, and licorice root, has decreased levels of luteinizing hormone, testosterone, sinus follicles, and mature follicles, as well as the ratio of luteinizing hormone to follicle-stimulating hormone and the use of pro-ovulatory human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG) medication in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) (4).
  • ImmunomodulatorsImmunomodulators: In preclinical research, Cuscuta chinensis has been shown mediate the activity of various immune system compounds, including interferon (IFN)-gamma, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, T cells, B cells, IgG antibodies, and lymphocytes, (71; 17; 8; 18). Additionally, ethanol extract of semen Cuscutae demonstrated a potentiating effect on concanavalin A-, pokeweed-, and ovalbumin (OVA)-induced splenocyte proliferative activity and increased OVA-specific IgG, IgG1, and IgG2b antibody levels and activity in the serum (18).
  • Joint agentsJoint agents: In postoperative anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction patients, a combination herbal formulation containing Cuscuta seed taken in conjunction with rehabilitation training has been shown to improve knee joint function (3).
  • Neurologic agentsNeurologic agents: In preclinical research, Cuscuta chinensis taken alone or in combination with other herbs, such as Codonopsis pilosula, Astragalus membranaceus, Poria cocos, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Cynomorium songoricum, Epimedium brevicornum, Panax ginseng, Atractylodes macrocephala, Poria cocos, Pinellia ternate, Brassica alba, Aconitum carmichaeli, and Cynanchum atratum, has demonstrated neural protective (21; 22) and memory-enhancing (25) effects against a variety of neuronal insults, including N-methyl-D: -aspartate receptor-mediated glutamate (21), nitrogen oxide (22), ischemia (21), and scopolamine (25).
  • Osteoporosis agentsOsteoporosis agents: In vitro research has suggested that Cuscuta chinensis taken alone or as part of a mixed herb formulation containing Angelica sinensis, Glycine max, Dioscorea villosa, Ligustrum lucidum, Astragalus membranaceus, Psoraleae corylifoliae, and Drynaria fortune exerts various bone-promoting effects, including stimulation of osteoblast activity (11; 23; 13) and inhibition of osteoclast activity (13).

    • Dodder/Food Interactions:

  • Insufficient available evidence.

    • Dodder/Lab Interactions:

  • Hormone levelsHormone levels: In human research on women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), Cuscuta taken in combination with ultrasound-guided follicle aspiration (MFA) and as part of Bushen Huoxue (BSHX), a mixed herb TCM protocol, has been shown to decrease levels of luteinizing hormone, testosterone, sinus follicles, and mature follicles, as well as the ratio of luteinizing hormone to follicle-stimulating hormone (4).
  • Immune panelImmune panel: In preclinical research, Cuscuta chinensis has been shown mediate the activity of various immune system compounds, including IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-4, IL-10, T cells, B cells, IgG antibodies, and lymphocytes (71; 17; 8; 18).
  • Liver enzymesLiver enzymes: In rats with acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity, Cuscuta chinensis reduced levels of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase (6; 16).
  • MalondialdehydeMalondialdehyde: In animal research, an ethanolic extract and suspended nanoparticles of Cuscuta chinensis reduced levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) (6; 16).