Cytotoxicity of Different Viscotoxins and Extracts from the European Subspecies ofViscum albumL.

Evaluation of the hypoglycemic effect and antioxidant activity of three Viscum album subspecies (European mistletoe) in streptozotocin-diabetic rats

“…However, only a few studies were conducted on the subspecies/host-specific biologic activity of V. album subspecies (Samuelsson and Jayawardane, 1974;Lorch, 1993;Schaller et al, 1996Schaller et al, , 1998Yeşilada et al, 1998). Since the composition and eventually the biological effects were shown great variability according to the subspecies employed, it is crucial to determine the subspecies at least to notify the host plant for a scientific evaluation.…”

“…Concerning the quantitative composition, only a few studies were conducted on the particular content of the subspecies; viscotoxins (Schaller et al, 1996), phenylpropanoids (Deliorman et al, 1999) and flavonoids (Lorch, 1993) were comparatively investigated and shown to be exist in different concentrations depending up on the subspecies. Moreover, it was reported that the leaves and twigs of this plant (without discriminating the subspecies) contain ursolic acid, kaempferol, quercetin, pectin, ␤-sitosterol, syringin and lectins as the main components (Ergun and Deliorman, 1995).…”

Phoradendron liga (Gill. ex H. et A.) Eichl. (Viscaceae) used in folk medicine: anatomical, phytochemical, and immunochemical studies

“…Its extracts have been described to exert immunomodulatory effects (Bloksma et al, 1982;Gabius et al, 1992;Hajto, 1986) and a direct toxic effect on tumor cells (Janssen et al, 1993;Schaller et al, 1996). These capacities appear to be conferred by a galactoside-specific lectin (Beuth et al, 1996;Elsasser-Beile et al, 2000;Gabius et al, 1992;Hostanska et al, 1995), since after lectin depletion the immunomodulating activity disappears (Beuth et al, 1995;Lenartz et al, 2000).…”

Biologically active compounds from European mistletoe (Viscum albumL.)1

“…This cytostatic effect was observed for polymorphonuclear leukocytes and large granular lymphocytes and was suggested to be due to viscotoxins being the main component of lectin-depleted extracts, more so as viscotoxins had been suspected to increase cell-mediated cytotoxicity by inhibition of suppressor-cell activity (Hajto et al 1989). It is worth noting that overall, viscotoxin-related cytotoxicity depends on V. album subsp., since there are differences in both quantitative and qualitative composition of viscotoxins (Schaller et al 1996; see also Tables 2 and 3). The Yoshida cell assay appeared to be a good indicator of viscotoxin derived cytotoxicity (ED 50 = 0.7 µg/mL; Schaller et al 1996), while it showed a mild action in the lectin assay (ED 50 = 12.8 µg/mL; Urech et al 1995).…”