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

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.