Mistletoe extract-induced effects on immunocompetent cells: In vitro studies

Journal/Book: Anti-Cancer-Drugs 8 (suppl.1), 39-42. 1997;

Abstract: Cytotoxic as well as immunomodulatory effects of mistletoe extracts andtheir components have been described and seem to depend upon the hosttree, the manufacturing process and the composition of the differentcomponents present in the extracts. In vitro studies showed that afermented mistletoe extract derived from *Viscum* album L. grown on pinetrees was less cytotoxic to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC)than other preparations. This finding could be related to its very lowcontent of mistletoe lectins. Furthermore, this extract stimulated PBMCfrom healthy and especially allergic donors who had never received anymistletoe treatment. By analysing these in vitro reactions, aninvolvement of CD4+ T helper cells and CD14+ monocytes/macrophages wasobserved, suggesting an interaction of the specific and nonspecificimmune system. In the supernatants of stimulated PBMC from healthyindividuals, type 1- (interferon-gamma and interleukin-a) and type 2-(interleukin-4 and interleukin-5) associated cytokines were detected inabout 20%. In patients with colorectal tumours, however, type1-associated cytokines were found with a significantly reducedfrequency, suggesting a functional impairment of certain immunocompetentcells in these patients. These studies may help to evaluate propertiesof the natural and the specific immune system.COPYRIGHT BY Elsevier Science BV, Amsterdam, Netherlands END OF DOCUMENT

Keyword(s): Medical:immunocompetent-cell

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