An updated review on the parasitic herb of Cuscuta reflexa Roxb

Anti-cancer potential of South Asian plants

“…: Cuscuta reflexa Roxb., is a golden yellow, leafless, parasitic herb of Convolvulaceae family, which is locally known as Swarnalata (Bangladesh), Amarvela (India), Aftimiun (Pakistan), Aga mula nethi wel (Sri Lanka) and Amar bel. A wide range of pharmacological activity of C. reflexa exist such as its anti-spasmodic, antisteroidogenic, anti-hypertensive, muscle-relaxant, cardiotonic, anti-viral, anti-convulsant, hypoglycemic, anti-fertility, hypotensive, anti-inflammatory and anti-epileptic, as well as anti-cancer activities have been documented 39 . In a study, chloroform and ethanol extracts of C. reflexa exhibited significant anti-tumor activity in EAC-bearing mice that was comparable to the effect of 5-fluorouracil 40 .…”

Alternative Medicine for Hair Loss

“…(C. reflexa, family Convulvulaceae) is a parasitic plant that is used as herbal medicine. It is also known as 'Tukhm-e-Kasoos (dodder),' 'Aftimoon,' or 'Kasoos' in Unani Tibbi, 'Akashabela,' or 'Amarabela' in Hindi, 'Swarnalata' in Bengali, and 'Akakhilata' in Assamese, in vernacular [99,100]. It commonly grows on different host plants, mostly thorny herbs in all geographical regions of India [99,101].…”

“…It commonly grows on different host plants, mostly thorny herbs in all geographical regions of India [99,101]. Many pharmacological activities such as relaxant and spasmolytic action, positive inotropic and cardiotonic activities, cholinergic action, anti-HIV, antioxidant, anti-steroidogenic, antibacterial, hepatoprotective, hypoglyceamic, diuretic, anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities as well as hair growth activity have been previously reported [100]. A number of experimental observations have indicated that C. reflexa has hair growth-promoting and 5α-reductase inhibitory activities.…”

“A Parasitic Traditional Medicinal Plant Cuscuta Reflexa (Amarbel): An Overview”

“…Plants are wealthy in secondary metabolites, and are major source of new chemical molecules; therefore they are a potential source of new drugs to cure various life threatening diseases. [8,9] Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. is a rootless, leafless perennial parasitic twining herb of Convolvulaceae family, commonly known as Akashvalli or Dodder.…”

“…The Cuscuta reflexa is investigated for antitumor [1,11] , antimicrobial [3,11] , hepatoprotective [4,11] , anticonvulsant [5,11] , antioxidant [6,11] , induced alopecia [7,11] activities. Many chemical constituents have been isolated from Cuscuta reflexa such as cuscutin, amarbelin, beta-sterol, stigmasterol, myricetin, qurecetin, cuscutamine, luteolin, bergenin [8,11] etc.…”