Cuscuta chinensis
Cuscuta chinensis, commonly known as Chinese dodder, is a parasitic plant characterized by its leafless, yellowish, thread-like stems. Lacking chlorophyll, it survives by extracting nutrients from host plants. In traditional medicine, various parts are utilized for their therapeutic potential, particularly in treating inflammation, respiratory ailments, and digestive issues.
- Scientific name: Cuscuta chinensis
- Family: Convolvulaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, known scientifically as Cuscuta chinensis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Solanales. It is further categorized into the family Convolvulaceae and the genus Cuscuta.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Solanales | WCVP |
| Family | Convolvulaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Cuscuta | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Cuscuta chinensis, is referred to by various common names depending on the language and region. In Korean, it is called 갯실새삼 (ko), while in Chinese, it is identified as 菟丝子 (zh), 菟丝 (zh-hans), or 菟絲 (zh-hant). Additionally, in Azerbaijani, the plant is known as Çin qızılsarmaşığı (az).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ko | 갯실새삼 | Wikidata |
| zh | 菟丝子 | Wikidata |
| az | Çin qızılsarmaşığı | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 菟丝 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 菟絲 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 菟絲 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 中國菟絲子 | Wikidata |
| fa | سس چینی | Wikidata |
| lzh | 菟絲子 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 菟丝子 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, Cuscuta chinensis, exhibits a specific distribution across several regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, it can be found within the borders of Ghana. Moving toward the northeastern part of the continent, the species is present in Eritrea and Ethiopia. Its range also extends to the island of Socotra, which is located in Northeast Tropical Africa. Finally, the plant is distributed throughout the areas of Sudan and South Sudan.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Eritrea | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Ethiopia | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Socotra | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Sudan-South Sudan | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Madagascar | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Primorye | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Kazakhstan | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Kirgizstan | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Turkmenistan | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Cuscuta chinensis, is a parasitic climber that lacks functional leaves and chlorophyll, relying entirely on its host for survival. Its life cycle begins with its seeds, which lie dormant in the soil until they detect the chemical signals of a nearby host plant. Once germination occurs, the seedling rapidly develops a specialized organ called a haustorium, a penetrating structure that pierces the host's tissues to establish a direct connection to its vascular system, allowing the parasite to siphon essential nutrients and water.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 4
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| seeds | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| haustorium | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Cuscuta chinensis has 44 reported phytochemicals identified across 59 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, hyperoside, kaempferol, quercetin, Ara.
- Total chemicals
- 44
- Scientific sources
- 59
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| hyperoside | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| kaempferol | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| quercetin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Ara | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CLW | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gal | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Rha | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| isorhamnetin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin 3-O-beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-galactoside | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Cuscuta chinensis has 12 reported activities identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Anticancer, Antiosteoporotic, Neuroprotective, Anthelmintic.
- Total activities
- 12
- Scientific sources
- 17
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiosteoporotic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anthelmintic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antinociceptive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiobesity | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiulcer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Cuscuta chinensis has 26 reported medicinal uses identified across 29 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cerebrovascular disorders, hypertension, osteoporosis, Dry eye disease, HeLa cells.
- Total uses
- 26
- Scientific sources
- 29
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cerebrovascular disorders | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypertension | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| osteoporosis | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Dry eye disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| HeLa cells | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| alveolar bone loss | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| apoptosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |