In vitro evaluation of the effects of Viscum album homeopathic preparations on murine melanoma cells

Viscum album extract (VA) is a complementary treatment in cancer, with in vitro and in vivo cytotoxic effects on several tumor types when applied in phytochemical doses. However, highly diluted ethanolic homeopathic preparations' effects and mechanisms need further study. Aims:To assess the in vitro effects of highly diluted VA from the subspecies V. album abietis and V. album album at different potency levels in different dilution ratios on murine melanoma cells. Methodology:The VA mother tinctures (MT)from Abies alba (MTA) and Quercus robur (MTQ) were prepared with summer and winter samples, harvested in Switzerland. They were submitted to homeopathic ethanolic maceration and a subsequent dynamization process. MTA, MTQ and the following respective potencies were tested in B16F10 murine cells: 3x, 12x, 30x, 6cH, 12cH, 200cH, 2LM, 3LM, and 5LM. Dynamized water, dynamized and non-dynamized ethanol, and carboplatin were used as control groups. The mitochondrial activity and cell viability analysis were performed at 1, 24, 48, and 72 hours by in vitro incubation. MTA and MTQ harvested in summer, as well as 12x, 200cH and 5LM potencies were also tested to cell apoptosis and necrosis markers, reactive oxygens species (ROS) production, inflammatory cytokines profile, cell morphology, and migratory capacity. Results and discussion: MTA and MTQ induced a decrease in cell metabolism and higher cytotoxicity within 1 hour, with significant morphological changes and increased production of ROS and inflammatory cytokines. Both homeopathic dilutions 12x and 5LM showed an influence on cell metabolism, cell replication, and oxidative stress modulation with inflammatory cytokines, mitosis, and migration pattern changes. On the other hand, Quercus robur and Abies alba 200cH showed increased on cytotoxicity and ROS levels, respectively. Conclusion:The in vitro effects of Viscum album homeopathic solutions in melanoma cells highlight the promising antitumoral potential and reinforce the need for further research to better understanding their mechanisms of action.

Lectins in Viscum:a progress review / 中国中药杂志

Viscum plants,the evergreen perennial parasitic shrubs or subshrubs,are mainly distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. There are about 70 Viscum species around the world,including 11 species and one variety in China. Mistletoe lectins are typeⅡ ribosome-inactivating proteins( RIPs) extracted from Viscum plants with anticancer and immunoregulatory activities. Many studies have focused on the mistletoe lectins isolated from V. album in Europe and V. album var. coloratum distributed in South Korea,respectively,and several preparations,such as Iscucin Ⓡ,were developed and clinically applied for cancer treatment. Although Viscum plants are widely distributed in China,only a few studies of mistletoe lectins have been reported. The recent progress of mistletoe lectins was reviewed from extraction,purification,quantitative/qualitative detection,molecular structure,pharmacological activities,toxicities,and clinical application,aiming at providing a reference for in-depth research and utilization of mistletoe lectins produced in China.

Effect of mistletoe polysaccharose on mouse osteoblast cell line MC3T3-E1 promoting proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis and its possible mechanism / 解剖学报

Objective: To observe the effect of mistletoe polysaccharose on proliferation and apoptosis of osteoblast and to explore the possible mechanism. Methods: The mistletoe polysaccharose was extracted and made different concentrations (0.625 g/L, 1.25 g/L, 2.5 g/L, 5 g/L) to treat mouse skull bone cell line MC3T3-E1. Cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. Cell proliferation and extracellular alkaline phosphatase secretion were detected by BrdU and alkaline phosphatase ELISA kits. The mRNA expression level of osteoblast related gene was detected by Realtime PCR. Results: Compared with the control group, the result of treatment groups with increasing mistletoe polysaccharose concentrations were as follows: the proportions of S phase and G2/M phase in cell cycle increased and the cell count Annexin V +/PI-significantly decreased, the number of cells increased, extracellular alkaline phosphatase activity obviously decreased. The increasing transcription levels of Runt-related transcription factor 2(Runtx2) and collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A) were stabled over 2. 5 g/L and the up-regulation of mRNA expression of osteocalcin (OC) was steady at 1.25 g/L. Conclusion: Mistletoe polysaccharose can promote the proliferation and inhibit the apoptosis of MC3T3-E1 cells, and its possible mechanism might be related to down-regulating of extracellular alkaline phosphatase activity and the grow exhanced expression of OC, Runtx2 and COL1A.

Observational and experimental evaluation of hemiparasite resistance in trees in the urban afforestation of Santarém, Pará, Brazil / Avaliação observacional e experimental da resistência a hemiparasitas em árvores da arborização urbana de Santarém, Pará, Brasil

ABSTRACT One of the problems affecting the quality of urban trees is their infestation by mistletoes (aerial hemiparasite plants of the order Santalales). Identification of the main types of trees infested, and of the causes of infestation patterns, can help infestation control and the planning of efficient planting regimes. In this sense, the aim of this study was to evaluate the patterns of hemiparasite infestation in trees in an Amazonian urban environment. We aimed to answer (1) which species of mistletoes occur on urban trees in the city of Santarém, in the Brazilian Amazon; (2) what is the proportion and intensity of infestation on infected trees; and (3) if differences in infestation rates among tree species can be explained by mistletoe-tree compatibility. We assessed mistletoe incidence and intensity of infestation on trees in the main avenues of the city. To evaluate the role of mistletoe-tree compatibility in the observed parasitism patterns, we carried out a seed inoculation experiment with seeds of the most abundant mistletoe, Passovia theloneura. Seeds were planted on three tree species (Andira inermis, Handroanthus serratifolius, and Mangifera indica). The overall infestation rate was 19.3%, with exotic tree species more infested than natives. The experiment showed that incompatibility between P. theloneura and the native H. serratifolius is primarily responsible for the observed non-infestation. Mistletoes germinated on A. inermis grew better than those on M. indica, contrary to the infestation prevalence found in the field, suggesting that patterns of infestation are also influenced by seed deposition processes.

RESUMO Um dos problemas que afetam a qualidade das árvores urbanas é sua infestação por ervas-de-passarinho (hemiparasitas aéreas da ordem Santalales). Identificação das principais espécies de árvores infestadas e das causas da infestação pode ajudar a controlar as ervas-de-passarinho e orientar o plantio de novas espécies de árvores. Nesse sentido, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o padrão de infestação de hemiparasitas em árvores em um ambiente urbano da Amazônia. Nós buscamos responder: (1) quais espécies de ervas-de-passarinho ocorrem nas árvores urbanas da cidade de Santarém, na Amazônia Brasileira, (2) qual é a proporção e intensidade de infestação nas árvores afetadas e (3) se diferenças nas taxas de infestação entre as espécies de árvores podem ser explicadas pela compatibilidade entre ervas-de-passarinho e hospedeiro. Nós amostramos árvores nas principais avenidas da cidade. Para avaliar o papel da compatibilidade entre a erva-de-passarinho e o hospedeiro nos padrões de parasitismo observados, conduzimos um experimento de inoculação de sementes com a erva-de-passarinho mais abundante, Passovia theloneura. Sementes foram plantadas em três espécies de hospedeiros (Andira inermis, Handroanthus serratifolius e Mangifera indica). A taxa de infestação foi de 19,3%, com espécies exóticas mais infestadas do que as nativas. O experimento mostrou que a incompatibilidade entre P. theloneura e a nativa H. serratifolius é o principal fator responsável por sua não infestação. As ervas-de-passarinho que germinaram em A. inermis cresceram melhor do que aquelas em M. indica, contrário à prevalência de infestação encontrada no campo, o que sugere que os padrões de infestação são também influenciados por processos de deposição de sementes.

Antimicrobial activity of Korean camellia mistletoe (Korthalsella japonica (Thunb.) Engl.) extracts.

Mistletoes are evergreen and semi parasitic plant growing on a variety of trees and shrubs. They have been used in the treatment and management of many diseases for many years, both traditional and complementary medicine such as diarrhea, cough, diabetes, hypertension and cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine the antimicrobial activity of Korean camellia mistletoe (Korthalsella japonica (Thunb.) Engl.) depending on the harvest time (August and November 2015) and solvent (100% methanol and 70% ethanol). Antimicrobial activity of methanol and ethanol extracts was subject to screening against two gram positive (S. epidermidis and B. subtilis subsps.) and negative bacillus (K. pneumonia and E. coli) by using disc diffusion method and measured by the size of clear zone (diameter, mm). The results showed that methanol extract was slight effective in 15 mg/disc concentration on all strains regardless of harvest time, while ethanol extract has no certain antimicrobial effect on both gram positive and negative bacillus. The results obtained in this study suggested that the extracts have low potential for use in the treatment of diseases caused by these test organisms and futher studies are necessary to evaluate the anti-bacterial efficiency of Korean camellia mistletoe against different bacterial strains.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Flavone di-C-Glycosides as Active Principles of Camellia Mistletoe, Korthalsella japonica

The chemical components and biological activity of Camellia mistletoe, Korthalsella japonica (Loranthaceae) are relatively unknown compared to other mistletoe species. Therefore, we investigated the phytochemical properties and biological activity of this parasitic plant to provide essential preliminary scientific evidence to support and encourage its further pharmaceutical research and development. The major plant components were chromatographically isolated using high-performance liquid chromatography and their structures were elucidated using tandem mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance anlysis. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory activity of the 70% ethanol extract of K. japonica (KJ) and its isolated components was evaluated using a nitric oxide (NO) assay and western blot analysis for inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2. Three flavone di-C-glycosides, lucenin-2, vicenin-2, and stellarin-2 were identified as major components of KJ, for the first time. KJ significantly inhibited NO production and reduced iNOS and COX-2 expression in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells at 100 μg/mL while similar activity were observed with isolated flavone C-glycosides. In conclusion, KJ has a simple secondary metabolite profiles including flavone di-C-glycosides as major components and has a strong potential for further research and development as a source of therapeutic anti-inflammatory agents.

Determination of Flavonoid and Polyphenol Compounds in Viscum Album and Allium Sativum Extracts.

Ethnopharmacology is a new interdisciplinary science that appeared in Europe of the ‘90, in France, as a necessity claimed by the return to the traditional remedies of each nation. The aim of this study is to identify and quantify the active ingredients of the species Viscum album and Allium sativum, in order to provide a complex chemical characterisation, which is necessary for the use of these plants’ extracts as natural ingredients in the pharmaceutical industry. The following methods were used: (1) the plant material was harvested from the west-side of Romania (Europe) in July 2014; (2) it was dried quickly and the main active principles were extracted using ethylic alcohol solution (50%); (3) the quantitative analyses of the flavonoids and polyphenols were performed according to a procedure described in the Romanian Pharmacopoeia. FT-IR results showed that the Viscum album extract had the highest content of polyphenolic compounds, for both flavonoids and polyphenols. This is the reason why it can be concluded that alcoholic extracts of mistletoe must be used as supplements for diabetics who require diets with flavonoids or for patients with cancers, degenerative diseases, and particularly cardiovascular diseases, who need an increased amount of polyphenols.

Determination of Flavonoid and Polyphenol Compounds in Viscum Album and Allium Sativum Extracts.

Ethnopharmacology is a new interdisciplinary science that appeared in Europe of the ‘90, in France, as a necessity claimed by the return to the traditional remedies of each nation. The aim of this study is to identify and quantify the active ingredients of the species Viscum album and Allium sativum, in order to provide a complex chemical characterisation, which is necessary for the use of these plants’ extracts as natural ingredients in the pharmaceutical industry. The following methods were used: (1) the plant material was harvested from the west-side of Romania (Europe) in July 2014; (2) it was dried quickly and the main active principles were extracted using ethylic alcohol solution (50%); (3) the quantitative analyses of the flavonoids and polyphenols were performed according to a procedure described in the Romanian Pharmacopoeia. FT-IR results showed that the Viscum album extract had the highest content of polyphenolic compounds, for both flavonoids and polyphenols. This is the reason why it can be concluded that alcoholic extracts of mistletoe must be used as supplements for diabetics who require diets with flavonoids or for patients with cancers, degenerative diseases, and particularly cardiovascular diseases, who need an increased amount of polyphenols.

The signal transduction pathway of rats with liver fibrosis regulated by leptin and interfering effects of mistletoe alkali / 中国比较医学杂志

Objective To investigate the signal transduction pathway mechanisms of rats with liver fibrosis regulated by leptin and interfering effects of mistletoe alkali .Methods The hepatic fibrosis in rats model was established by injecting carbon tetrachloride .Forty-five SD rats were randomly divided into normal group ,model group and therapeutic group.All rats except rats in normal group were intraperitoneally injected with 40%carbon tetrachloride in peanut oil with a dose of 2.0 mL/100g according to the body weight twice a week for 8 weeks.Then, the therapeutic group was given mistletoe alkali (8g/(kg· d)) for 8 weeks via gastrogavage.Rats in normal and model group were served with distilled water at the same time.At the end of the 16th week, blood and tissue specimens were taken from all the rats .The influence of mistletoe alkali on liver morphology in liver fibrosis rat model was reviewed by HE and Masson staining .The effects of mistletoe alkali on the expression of Leptin and its receptor ( OB-Rb ) in HSC in fibrosis rat model were determined by immunohistochemistry (IH).The expression of JAK2, STAT3 and the activity of phospho -JAK2, phospho-STAT3 were detected by Western blotting analysis .Results The degree of fibrosis of the model group was more severe than the normal group and the treatment group , which suggested that mistletoe alkali can reverse liver fibrosis in rats . Immunohistochemical staining showed that mistletoe alkali reduced the hepatic expression of leptin and OB -Rb in rats with liver fibrosis in comparison with their expression in the model group .Compared with the normal group , the expression of JAK2 and STAT3 increased in the model group .However, the expression of JAK2 and STAT3 decreased in the medication groups compared with the model group .Conclusion Mistletoe alkali can effectively ameliorate liver fibrosis in rats possibly through inhibiting hepatic leptin and its receptor expressions , which through inhibiting hepatic leptin and its receptor expressions , thus inhibit the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway .

Korean Mistletoe (Viscum album var. coloratum) Inhibits Amyloid beta Protein (25-35)-induced Cultured Neuronal Cell Damage and Memory Impairment

The present study aims to investigate the effect of methanol extract of Korean mistletoe (KM; Viscum album var. coloratum), on amyloid beta protein (Abeta) (25-35), a synthetic 25-35 amyloid peptide, -induced neurotoxicity in cultured rat cerebral cortical neurons and memory impairment in mice. Exposure of cultured neurons to 10 microM Abeta (25-35) for 24 h induced a neuronal cell death, which was measured by a 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and Hoechst 33342 staining. KM (10, 30 and 50 microg/ml) significantly inhibited the Abeta (25-35)-induced apoptotic neuronal death. KM (50 microg/ml) inhibited 10 microM Abeta (25-35)-induced elevation of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), which was measured by a fluorescent dye, Fluo-4 AM. Glutamate release into medium and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by 10 microM Abeta (25-35) were also inhibited by KM (10, 30 and 50 microg/ml). These results suggest that KM may mitigate the Abeta (25-35)-induced neurotoxicity by interfering with the increase of [Ca2+]i and then inhibiting glutamate release and generation of ROS in cultured neurons. In addition, orally administered KM (25 and 50 mg/kg, 7 days) significantly prevented memory impairment induced by intracerebroventricular injection of Abeta (25-35) (8 nmol). Taken together, it is suggested that anti-dementia effect of KM is due to its neuroprotective effect against Abeta (25-35)-induced neurotoxicity and that KM may have therapeutic role in prevention of the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

Effect of pine mistletoe on radial growth of crimean pine (Pinus nigra) in Turkey.

In this study, the influence of infection by pine mistletoe (Viscum album L. subsp. austriacum (Wiesb.) Volmann) on the radial growth of crimean pine (Pinus nigra Arnold) in Turkey was investigated. We built local residual treering- width chronologies using dendrochronogical techniques. Tree ring chronologies of uninfected (control) crimean pine were used to estimate potential radial growth characteristics in the “infected” crimean pine (light, moderate and severe infection groups). In 2005, increment cores were collected from 26 infected and 19 control dominant or co-dominant trees and annual radial growth indices from 1930-2005 were calculated for each infection group in a 14 point sampling. We compared radial growth in the uninfected trees with mean regional chronology. We found a strong decrease in radial growth in during the 1998-2005 period. The periodic average radial growth reduction (in %) from 1998 to 2005, respectively, were 0 for control, 26 for light, 39 for moderate and 63 for severe infection groups. It can be especially concluded that a severe degree of pine mistletoe attack has a negative effect on radial growth of the infected crimean pine trees.

Immunologic Response to Mistletoe Extract (Viscum album L.) after Conventional Treatment in Patients with Operable Breast Cancer / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: To reduce the side effects and improve the effectiveness of standard chemoradiation therapy, many complementary or alternative medicines have been tried. However, little is known about its immunologic effects in breast cancer patients. The aim of this study was to assess the immunologic effects of mistletoe extract (Viscum album L., VAE) in patients with early breast cancer after surgery followed by standard adjuvant chemoradiation therapy. METHODS: A total 20 patients with early breast cancer treated with breast conserving surgery followed conventional chemoradiation therapy. Ten of these patients received subcutaneous injections of VAE for 7 weeks. IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TGF-beta, and IFN-gamma levels in serum samples were measured in all patients. RESULTS: The concentrations of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, and TGF-beta were not significantly changed between before and after VAE treatment in both test and control group. The concentration of IL-6 in the test group was increased from 8.19+/-1.75 pg/mL to 9.86+/-1.46 pg/mL after treatment (p=0.013). The concentration of IFN-gamma in the test group was remarkably increased from 91.76+/-17.16 pg/mL to 167.42+/-66.61 pg/mL after treatment (p=0.009). CONCLUSION: Significant increases in the concentration of IL-6 and IFN-gamma were observed after VAE treatment. These results suggest that VAE treatment can stimulate immune responses, especially cell-mediated immunity in immune-compromised patients received the chemoradiation for breast cancer.

Studies on antimicrobial activity of pyramidal black pine (Pinus nigra ssp. pallasiana var. pyramidata): an endemic plant close to become extinct.

Turkey is one of the richest areas at middle latitudes in terms of plant diversity. One of Turkey’s (Anatolia) endemic plants is pyramidal black pine (Pinus nigra ssp. pallasiana var. pyramidata). But, it was observed that the pyramidal black pine, which is part of Turkey’s important biological richness, came close to become extinct. This study was carried out to investigate the drying of the pyramidal black pine in the specific Vakifkoy area having semi arid to humid climatic conditions on the one hand, and the effects of different thermal power plants on drying of the pyramidal black pine on the other hand. In addition, the study was designed to examine the effects of mistletoe on drying this plant and even the antimicrobial activities of this plant. As a result, we can conclude that the negative effects of semi arid climatic conditions, climatic variables, drought, mistletoe, silver factory and thermal power plants are still not clear on the pyramidal black pine trees. However, when the results of this study were compared with ampicillin (10 mcg) and nystatin (30 mcg) standards, it was found that extracts of pyramidal black pine were particularly found to possess stronger antimicrobial activity.

The Effects of Mistletoe Extract and Anti-cancer Drugs on the Apoptosis of Gastric Cancer Cells

PURPOSE: Mistletoe extract was widely used for cancer treatment as complementary or alternative therapy in European area from early twenty century. It is currently used as alternative anti-cancer remedy by piecemeal in domestic medical group, however, the anti-cancer mechanism of mistletoe extract was not known precisely until now. In this study the effect of mistletoe extract on gastric cancer was studied vis cell line experiments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The SNU719 gastric cancer cell line was used, and ABNOBAviscum-Q and ABNOBAviscum-F were treated to cells as mistletoe extract, or 5-FU and cisplatin were used with mistletoe extract. The cell viability and cell death rate were estimated by CCK-8 assay kit and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay kit in each. Caspase 3 assay kit was used to measure caspase 3 activity. The protein expression amounts of Bcl2, p53, and PTEN were estimated through Western blot analysis. RESULTS: The co-treatments of mistletoe extract Q/F and 5-FU/cisplatin decreased lesser cell viability than only mistletoe treat. Caspase 3 activity was increased 4~6 times in co-treatment of mistletoe extracts and 5-FU than control. Bcl2 protein expression was reduced by mistletoe extracts or anti-cancer drugs, further more, the co-treatment of mistletoe extracts and 5-FU/cisplatin diminished more the expression than only mistletoe treatment. Mistletoe extracts did not affect the protein expressions of p53 and PTEN. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the anti-cancer mechanism of mistletoe extracts was made by caspase 3 activation and lowered Bcl2 expression, and this apoptosis inducing mechanism was independent to p53.

European and Far East Mistletoes: Potential in Adjuvant Cancer Therapy / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Semiparasitic plants, mistletoes, distributed in Europe and East-Asia mainly, China, Korea and Japan have long been recognised as therapeutic herbs. Since the 1920s, extracts from European mistletoe (Viscum album L) have been popular in Europe as an unconventional cancer treatment. These extracts have been used in adjuvant cancer therapy because their immunostimulatory, cytostatic/cytotoxic and DNA stabilising activities. The main biological activities are addressed to sugar binding proteins, the Mistletoe Lectins, and to micro proteins named viscotoxins. The mistletoe lectins are members of the family of toxic lectins and recognize sugars and glycoconjugates containing galactose and/or N-acetyl-galactosamine groups. In vitro and in vivo assays confLrm that the mistletoe lectins, isolated from the plant and compared with recombinant forms, play an important role as biologically active principles in mistletoe extracts. Limited experimental evidence indicates that other components like glycosides, polysaccharides, amines etc, may also have anticancer activity. Under discussion in Europe is the principal question of using holo plant extracts or single component lectin preparations: wild type iectins or recombinant ones in cancer therapy. Finally problems of preparation, characterization and standardization of commercial mistletoe preparations and evaluation of biological activities are discussed.

Korean Mistletoe (Viscum album Coloratum) Extract Induces Eel (Anguilla japonica) Non-specific Immunity

BACKGROUND: The immunomodulatory effects of Korean mistletoe (Viscum album Coloratum) on the innate immune responses of eel (Anguilla japonica) were studied. METHODS: Mistletoe, Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA), or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) as a control was injected into eel peritoneal cavities. RESULTS: Nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT)-positive cells in the head kidney of eel were significantly augmented by the second day post-injection of mistletoe. Reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) were more produced in mistletoe-injected fish kidney leucocytes than in FCA-injected ones. The level of lysozyme activity in the serum of fish 2 days after injection with mistletoe was also significantly higher than that in the serum of the control fish. The optimal concentration of mistletoe in inducing the highest serum lysozyme activity was revealed to 500microgram/200 g of fish. In phagocytic activity assay, mistletoe-sensitized eel kidney phagocytes captured more zymosan than did the control fish. CONCLUSION: Korean mistletoe appeared to be a good activator of the non-specific immune responses of eel.

The Immunological Effect of Mistletoe Extract on Gastric Cancer Patients

PURPOSE: Mistletoe (Viscum album L.) extract is one of the most widely used agents in alternative cancer therapeutic regimens in Europe. This study was conducted to determine the effect of mistletoe extract on immune function in gastric cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients that had undergone a curative gastrectomy were enrolled in the prospective study. ABNOBAviscum Q(R) was injected subcutaneously three times a week from postoperative-day 7 to week 16 with an increasing dose. All of the patients simultaneously received chemotheraphy with mitomycin, oral 5-FU and a cisplatin regimen. The WBC count, differential count, lymphocyte/WBC ratio and the level of cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-6, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha) were checked in the peripheral blood preoperatively, at postoperative week 8 and at postoperative week 16. RESULTS: The WBC and neutrophil counts significantly decreased after treatment on week 8 and week 16 (P=0.001), but the total eosinophil count was slightly increased (P=0.15). The total lymphocyte count also decreased during treatment but the lymphocyte/WBC ratio was slightly increased without statistical significance (P=0.91). The cytokine levels did not significantly change during treatment. CONCLUSION: It is somewhat difficult to determine the direct effect of mistletoe therapy on immune function as the effect may be compromised by the concurrent chemotherapy. It can be assumed that the slightly increased lymphocyte/WBC ratio and eosinophil count may be a result of the immunomodulatory effect of the mistletoe extract.

Atividade antimicrobiana de Struthanthus vulgaris (erva-de-passarinho) / Antimicrobial activity of Struthantus vulgaris (erva-de-passarinho)

As plantas do gênero Struthanthus são conhecidas como ervas-de-passarinho e parasitam pomares no Brasil, principalmente os de laranjeiras e goiabeiras. Na medicina popular são usadas nas afecções das vias respiratórias. O extrato hidroetanólico a 70 por cento de folhas frescas de Struthanthus vulgaris apresentou atividade antimicrobiana contra amostras bacterianas Gram positiva e Gram negativa. Este extrato não apresentou, nas condições testadas, atividade contra fungos. As amostras bacterianas mais sensíveis ao extrato foram Bacillus cereus (ATCC 11778), Micrococcus luteus (ATCC 9341), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), S. epidermidis (ATCC 12228) e P. aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), usando o método de difusão em agar. As frações obtidas, pela partição líquido-líquido do extrato hidroetanólico a 70 por cento, com solventes de polaridades crescentes (clorofórmio, acetato de etila, n-butanol e água), apresentaram diferentes atividades inibitórias. A fração que apresentou a maior atividade contra bactéria Gram positiva (B. cereus) e Gram negativa (P. aeruginosa) foi aquela obtida com n-butanol. Nessa fração foram detectados flavonóides, taninos condensados (proantocianidinas) e saponinas.

Struthantus vulgaris (mistletoe) is one of the most common hemiparasite species in Brazil. It occurs as a parasite of orchards, mainly in orange and guava trees. Some authors mention Struthantus use in traditional medicine for respiratory diseases treatment. Fresh leaves concentrated hydroalcoholic extract showed antimicrobial activity against Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial samples. In tested conditions, these extracts did not show activity against fungi. The more susceptible bacterial samples to fresh leaves hydroalcoholic extract were Bacillus cereus (ATCC 11778), Micrococcus luteus (ATCC 9341), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), S. epidermidis (ATCC 12228) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853). The method used for assessment of antimicrobial activity was agar diffusion. Fractions obtained from fresh leaves concentrated alcoholic extracts with increasing polarity solvents (chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water) showed different inhibitory activities. n-Butanol fraction showed greater activity against Gram positive bacteria (B. cereus) and Gram negative bacteria (P. aeruginosa). In this fraction, flavonoids, condensed tannins (proanthocyanidins) and saponins, were found.

An experimental study on mistletoe extract-induced apoptosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma

This study was performed to investigate mistletoe extract-induced apoptosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma. In vivo study, HN22 cells were xenografted in nude mice. After tumor was experimentally induced, mistletoe extract was directly injected on the tumor mass. The specimens were evaluated using light and transmission electron microscopes. In vitro study, HN22 cells were cultured and exposed to mistletoe extract. The cells were evaluated using transmissin electron microscope. To evaluate apoptotic cells, flow cytometric analysis was done. The results were obtained as follows: 1. Light microscopic view of tumor mass showed necrosis at 2-4 weeks. 2. Transmission electron micrographs of tumor mass showed apoptosis and necrosis. 3. In TEM view of cell lines, necrosis and apoptosis were shown with mistletoe extract at 300microgram/ml, apoptosis was shown with mistletoe extract at 100microgram/ml. 4. In flow cytometric analysis, early and late apoptosis was shown when using caspase-3Ab and annexin-V, but no significant change was noted when using mebstain and Apo2.7 Ab. In this study, mistletoe extract induced necrosis and apoptosis in the tumor mass was induced by HN22 cells, early and late apoptosis in vitro study. Mistletoe extract was likely to induce cell death in oral squamous cell carcinoma through apoptosis.

The Effect of subcutaneous injection of Mistletoe extract for the treatment of chronic pelvic pain / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: Chronic pelvic pain is pelvic pain which is not completely controlled by classical treatments. In many reports, immune alternation is related to original diseases that induce the chronic pelvic pain. Mistletoe extract has been known that it has immune modulation effect. Therefore the purpose of this study is to determine the pain-reducing effects of mistletoe extract for chronic pelvic pain that is not controlled by classical treatments. METHODS: The fitty-eight patients who visited to outpatient department of Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chonnam National University Hospital due to chronic pelvic pain. Mistletoe extract (Helixor-A(R)) 5-10 mg was injected subcutaneously 3 times per week for 5 weeks, and the change of pain and short-term side-effects after injections were observed. In patients after 6 month of follow-up, the change of pain and long-term side-effects were also observed. RESULTS: In 2 of 58 patients (0.03%), treatments were discontinued doe to severe general side effect. In 48 of 56 patients (85.7%), chronic pelvic pains were improved. In 40 of 56 patients (69%), mild side effects as like mild itching were appeared and they were easily controlled by anti-histamines and conservative treatments. In 6 months after injection, general itching sensation and easily catched common cold were complaint in 4 of 10 patients. CONCLUSION: The subcutaneous injection of mistletoe extract may effective treatment method for the chronic pelvic pain that is not controlled by classical treatment. However more studies about log-term effect of mistletoe therapy are needed.