Emerging roles of mistletoes in malignancy management

Immunomodulatory lectin from Cordia myxa targets PI3K/AKT signalling mediated apoptosis to regress both in-vitro and in-vivo tumour

Plant based medicine is gaining recognition as a complementary approach to conventional treatments. Plants contain lectins that bind to carbohydrates and exhibit various biological properties and being used in cancer treatment. In present investigation Cordia myxa fruit was chosen, screen for presence of lectin and explore its biological role. Screening of lectin was conducted through HA activity. Purification and characterization through conventional methods. HI assay to confirm the carbohydrate specificity. Immunomodulatory role by proliferative assays and ELISA. Apoptosis by annexin-V stain, TUNEL, MOMP and COMET assay and in-vivo antitumour activity by EAC induced ascites and solid tumour model. Gene expression through IB and IHC. The results illustrated that, presence of immunostimulant, ̴12 kDa lectin (CML) with strong leucoaggulutination activity having ovalbumin & fetuin specificity. The CML exhibits immune cell proliferation and secretes immune cytokines IL-2, IL-10 & IL-12. The immunomodulatory experiments infer that, CML induces anti-proliferative response against A549 and EAC by inducing apoptosis, which were validated in an in-vitro & in-vivo models. Mechanistically, CML modulates phosphorylation of PI3K/AKT signalling pathways and modulates downstream apoptotic proteins P53, Bax, Bad, Bcl-2, cytochrome-c, caspase-3 and DFF-40. Overall, the study reports the immunomodulatory lectin in Cordia myxa with its potential therapeutic role.

Traditional Uses, Phytochemical Constituents and Ethnopharmacological Properties of Mistletoe from Phoradendron and Viscum Species

Plants from the genus Phoradendron and Viscum, also known as American and European mistletoe, are a group of hemiparasitic plants traditionally used to treat many diseases. Mistletoes have a rich content of natural compounds like terpenes, alkaloids, proteins, and phenolic compounds associated with their potential medicinal properties. In this sense, mistletoes have shown antiproliferative, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activity, which has been attributed to their phytochemical constituents. The mechanisms in which mistletoe plants act vary and depend on their phytochemical content and distribution, which in part will depend on the mistletoe species. In this sense, recent literature research is needed to visualize state of the art in the ethnopharmacological potential of mistletoe. Thus, this literature review aims to systematically report recent studies (2010-2023) on the phytochemical characterization and bioactive studies of mistletoe plants, mainly the Viscum and Phoradendron genera. We gather recent information of 140 references selected in our research. Here we report that although there are several bioactivity studies of mistletoe species, bioavailability studies are still scarce, and the precise mechanisms of action are not fully known. We encourage that further studies include a systematic strategy to cover these areas of opportunity.

GC-MS Analysis of European Mistletoe (Viscum album L.) Plant Grown at Syrian Coastal Area

In this study, efforts were made to isolate phtochemicals from European mistletoe (Viscum album L.) using hot (Soxhlet) and cold (magnetic rotation) extraction methods. The dried Viscum album L. (10 g) were extracted exhaustively by Soxhlet with methanol and dichloroethane solvents. Subsequently, 1 μL of sample was utilized for GC/MS analysis, which exhibited 50 peaks of phytoconstituents in the range of 0.12-22.04%. The highest flavonoids content was determined using quercetin calibration curve having a value of 62.26 mg QE/g dry weight.

Gastroprotective activity of Loranthus acaciae flower extract in a rodent model of ethanol-induced ulcer

Loranthus acaciae (Loranthaceae) is a perennial green semi-parasitic plant used in ethnopharmacological medicine for healing wounds. The protective effect of L. acaciae on gastric ulcer induced by ethanol was investigated in a rat model. Ulcer index and total glutathione level were measured and histological and immunohistochemical studies for the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 were performed. Furthermore, chemical constituents of the flower extract were analyzed. Ulcer index was significantly lowered in L. acaciae-treated groups. Protection ratios were 75.9%, 98.9%, and 70.7% for 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg of L. acaciae and 40 mg/kg of esomeprazole, respectively. Histological examination revealed fewer hemorrhage in mucosa and less edema in submucosa of L. acaciae-treated groups compared with control. In the esomeprazole-treated group, there was mild disruption in the surface epithelium and mild hemorrhage. However, edema and leucocytes infiltration in the submucosa layer were present. Immunohistochemical staining of stomach sections for cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was negative in the control group as well as in the L. acaciae-treated groups. Total glutathione level in mucosa layer of the stomach was higher in L. acaciae-treated groups compared with control. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis revealed the presence of loranthin and rutin as the major constituents. It can be concluded that L. acaciae imparted a gastroprotective action against ethanol-induced ulcer in rats.

Novelty 500 mg/kg L. acaciae protected the stomach by 98.9% from ulcerogenic effect of ethanol. L. acaciae increased total glutathione level but not COX-2 expression in gastric mucosa. Loranthin and rutin were the major constituents in L. acaciae flower extract.

Determination of progesterone compounds in the crude methanol extract of benalu duku leaves

Background and Aim:

Dendrophthoepentandra L. Miq (benalu duku) is a parasitic herb that commonly grows on the host plant Lansium domesticum. Researchers have found that the plant contains anticancer compounds and may contain phytoandrogens, including progesterone-like compounds, in its crude methanol extract. The objective of the current study was to investigate the compound of phyto progesterone in benalu duku leaves after extracted by methanol and prepared using an analytical column of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Materials and Methods:

About 400 g of benalu duku leaves were pulverized, and their compounds were isolated by the isocratic method using an RP-18 analytical column (5 µm) with a mobile phase of 70:30 (methanol: water) in a photodiode array detector adjusted to 254 nm. The phyto progesterone compound was identified at a retention time of approximately 6.01 min.

Results:

By LC-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry focusing on molecular fractions, the fingerprint area of the Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR, cm⁻¹) and ^Hnuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra indicated that the phyto progesterone product isolated was identical to the certified reference material of pure progesterone, particularly the specific functional groups in the FT-IR spectrum at wavenumbers of 1317.43 cm⁻¹ and 1386.86 cm⁻¹ and in the proton ^HNMR spectrum at carbon 21 of progesterone (p<0.05).

Conclusion:

Each 49.888 µg/mL of crude benalu duku leaf extract dissolved in the mobile phase contained 28.515±0.713 µg/mL phyto progesterone.

Adjuvant Therapy Using Mistletoe Containing Drugs Boosts the T-Cell-Mediated Killing of Glioma Cells and Prolongs the Survival of Glioma Bearing Mice

Viscum album L. extracts (VE) are applied as complementary cancer therapeutics for more than one century. Extracts contain several compounds like mistletoe lectins (ML) 1-3 and viscotoxins, but also several minor ingredients. Since ML-1 has been described as one of the main active components harboring antitumor activity, purified native or recombinant ML-1 has been also used in clinical trials in the last years. The present study examined and compared the immunoboosting effects of three ML-1 containing drugs (the extract ISCADOR Qu, the recombinant ML-1 Aviscumine, and purified native ML-1) in the context of the T-cell mediated killing of glioma cells. Additionally we examined the possible underlying T-cell stimulating mechanisms. Using cocultures of immune and glioma cells, a PCR-based microarray, quantitative RT-PCR, and an antibody-based array to measure cytokines in blood serum, immunosupporting effects were determined. A highly aggressive, orthotopic, immunocompetent syngeneic mouse glioma model was used to determine the survival of mice treated with ISCADOR Qu alone or in combination with tumor irradiation and temozolomide (TMZ). Treatment of glioblastoma (GBM) cells with ISCADOR Qu that contains a high ML concentration, but also viscotoxins and other compounds, as well as with Aviscumine or native ML-1, enhanced the expansion of cancer cell-specific T-cells as well as T-cell-mediated tumor cell lysis, but to a different degree. In GBM cells all three ML-1-containing preparations modulated the expression of immune response associated genes. In vivo, subcutaneous ISCADOR Qu injections at increasing concentration induced cytokine release in immunocompetent VM/Dk-mice. Finally, ISCADOR Qu, if applied in combination with tumor irradiation and TMZ, further prolonged the survival of glioma mice. Our findings indicate that ML-1 containing drugs enhance anti-GBM immune responses and work in synergy with radiochemotherapy. Therefore, adjuvant mistletoe therapy should be considered as an auspicious treatment option for glioma patients.