In vitro effects of mistletoe extracts and mistletoe lectins; cytotoxicity towards tumor cells due to the induction of programmed cell death (apoptosis)

Journal/Book: Arzneim.-Forsch./ Drug Res. 43 (ll) (11), 1221-1227. 1993;

Abstract: The in vitro effects of therapeutically administered mistletoe extracts(ABNOBAviscum) and pure mistletoe lectins (mainly mistletoe lectin I) ona variety of human and murine tumor cell lines have been investigated.Mistletoe extracts and purified mistletoe lectins inhibited in vitro thegrowth of all tumor cell lines tested including B cell hybridomas, P815,EL-4, Ke37, MOLT-4 and U937. The mechanism of growth arrest was shown tobe due to the induction of programmed cell death (apoptosis). Thus,fragmentation of genomic DNA into oligonucleosomal bands ofapproximately 200 base pairs in length was observed within 20 h whentumor cells were incubated with mistletoe extracts or lectins. Thesedata point to a rational basis for the direct cytotoxic effects ofmistletoe extracts and lectins apart from the postulatedimmunostimulatory properties of these agents. Author.

Keyword(s): ADJUVANTS-IMMUNOLOGIC/PD (pharmacology)

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