Dendrophthoe falcata (L.f.) Ettingsh. and Dendrophthoe pentandra (L.) Miq.: A review of traditional medical uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicity, and applications

Abstract

Dendrophthoe falcata (L.f.) Ettingsh. (DF) and Dendrophthoe pentandra (L.) Miq. (DP) have been traditionally used for the treatment of various ailments, such as cancer, ulcers, asthma, paralysis, skin diseases, tuberculosis, and menstrual troubles, in the ethnomedicinal systems of India and Indonesia. Currently, the chemical structures of 46 compounds have been elucidated from DF and DP, including flavonoids, triterpenes, tannins, steroids, open-chain aliphatics, benzyl derivates, and cyclic chain derivatives. In vitro assays have revealed their anti-tumor and anti-microbial activities. In vivo studies have unraveled their pharmacological properties against tumors, depression, fertility disorders, inflammatory responses, and so on. Additionally, their weak toxicity to rats and brine shrimp, as well as their promising applications for pharmaceutical preparations and combined medication, were also revealed. Herein, we not only recapitulated traditional medical uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicity, and applications of DF and DP but also discussed current research limitations and future perspectives, which are instructive for those interested in them and are committed to advancing parasitic plants to the Frontier of phytomedicine. We highlighted that DF and DP will become promising medical plants rather than being discarded as notorious pests, provided that more and deeper research is undertaken.

Adjuvanting Property of Aqueous Extract of the Indian Mistletoe, Dendrophthoe falcata

“…It has been observed that polysaccharides [30], and terpenoids (saponins) [31] are the primary components responsible for this effect [32][33][34]. Many of these compounds were also found to be present in D. falcata [35]. However, in this study, the compounds present in AE were not puri ed or characterized, making it challenging to predict the speci c compounds responsible for the observed adjuvanting activity.…”

The Antioxidant Activity of Mistletoes (Viscum album and Other Species)

“…This species, together with D. pentandra (L.) Miq., has been used in the ethnomedicinal systems of India and Indonesia for the treatment of various ailments, including ulcers, asthma, paralysis, skin diseases, tuberculosis, and menstrual pain. D. falcata has been studied for its antimicrobial activity [ 101 , 102 ]. A review of 2023 reports shows studies on several properties, including the antioxidant effects through the inhibition of lipid peroxidation [ 103 ].…”

Efficacy of quercetin-like compounds from the mistletoe plant of Dendrophthoe pentandra L. Miq, as oral random blood sugar lowering treatment in diabetic rats

“… 2022 ; Kong et al. 2023 ). Its anticancer properties have been previously reported, especially against myeloma cells, while its antivirus activity has been reported to have antiviral activity against the Newcastle Diseases virus (Lazuardi et al.…”