International Journal of Agriculture, Environment and Biotechnology
  • Year: 2013
  • Volume: 6
  • Issue: 3

Cuscuta: A Freeloading Weed, their Dilemma and Property

  • Author:
  • Pramod Kumar Pandey1, Amit Kumar Singh1,, Siddhartha Singh1, Vivek Pandey2, Mayanglambam Chandrakumar Singh1
  • Total Page Count: 8
  • DOI:
  • Page Number: 479 to 486

1Department of Basic Science and Humanities, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Central Agricultural University, Pasighat- 791102, Arunachal Pradesh, India

2Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, Napam- 784028, Assam, India

*Email: geneamit@gmail.com

Online published on 22 October, 2013.

Abstract

Cuscuta (Dodder) a total stem parasite depends completely on their host for their life processes. It is treated as a noxious weed which causes loss of several major crops in the agricultural field by their root like haustorial adaptation. But apart from their weed nature, they have medicinal, pharmacological and industrial importance. They have been used for treatment of diseases like jaundice, headache, rheumatism, liver diseases. They were also found to possess antibacterial, antiviral, anti-HIV, anti-inflammator and anticancerous properties. This review deals with positive prospects and associated problems of Cuscuta which can be helpful in future exploration of their hidden aspects.

Cuscuta a holoparasitic, annual flowering and herbaceous plant has made itself statically interesting in the medical science field due to its action against several human diseases.

Keywords

Anti-oxidative, anticancer, anti- HIV, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, parasitic and weed