Antiproliferative effect of mistletoe-extracts in melanoma cell lines (Abstract)

Journal/Book: Anticancer-Res. 12 (6A), 1882. 1992;

Abstract: Extracts from the mistletoe plant (Viscum album) growing on differenttrees like apple, pine, oak, etc, have been suggested for treatment ofdifferent types of malignancies. Laboratory studies have shown thatcorean mistletoe extract possesses antitumor activity in vivo and invitro. Here, we report on results concerning the antiproliferativeeffect of Viscum album C, Viscum album Qu and Viscum album M (trade nameIscador) on melanoma cell lines. Methods: Viscum album C and itsconstituents were received from TA Khwaja, USCLA. Constituents of Viscumalbum C are viscotoxin mistletoe alkaloids and three lectins(lactose-specific lectin, galactose-specific lectin, N-acetylgalactosamine-specific lectin). Viscum album Qu was extracted by Medac(Germany). Viscum album M is a preparation by the Institut Hiscia(Switzerland). The antiproliferative effect of the extracts on 11melanoma cell lines obtained through the EORTC-MCG were tested inmonolayer proliferation tests. Results: In most of the melanoma celllines tested, there was a significant antiproliferative effect of Viscumalbum C at a concentration of 100 ug/ml, whereas Viscum album M showedan antiproliferative effect at 1000 ug/ml. The three lectins isolatedfrom Viscum album C, when compared with each other, showed almost in all11 melanoma cell lines tested a similar antiproliferative effect. It wasseen at concentrations of 1-10 ng/ml. The antiproliferative effect ofviscotoxin rises at concentrations of 0.5-1 ug/ml, whereas theantiproliferative effect of alkaloids begins at 10 ug/ml. Conclusions:Our data show that mistletoe extracts can have some antiproliferativeeffect on melanoma cell lines. The constituents of the most effectiveextract Viscum album C have different antiproliferative effects; asimilar or even higher effect in comparison to Viscum album C could bereached using viscotoxin or alkaloids. A correlation between those invitro activities and a possible clinical effect in vivo is difficult todefine. Based on sc injections of 20 mg Viscum album M (Iscador), itappears that a 10(3) to 10(5) times higher dosage is necessary to reachcomparable concentrations in man. Author.

Keyword(s): ANTINEOPLASTIC-AGENTS-PHYTOGENIC/ PD (pharmacology)

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