European mistletoe

Wollenweber, E., Wieland, A., and Haas, K., Epicuticular waxes and flavonol aglyones of the European mistletoe, Viscum album, Z. Naturforsch., 55c, 314, 2000. 

Viscum CBP (11 kDa ot-S-S-ct 1 CBD) Viscum album (European mistletoe) (Viscaceae) Chitin... 

Representative Chemicals Ricin Other toxalbumins with similar ricin-like properties Abrus pre-catorius (jequirty pea, rosary pea), Trichosanthes spp. (Chinese cucumber), Robinia pseudoacacia (black locust), Phoradendron spp. (American mistletoe), Viscum spp. (European mistletoe), and Wisteria spp. (wisteria)... 

Olson, T, Samuelsson, G. Purification of viscotoxin Aox2 from the European Mistletoe (Viscum album L.) by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. Acta Chem. Scand. 1970, 24, 720-721... 

European mistletoe (Viscum album, family Viscadeae)... 

European Mistletoe (Viscunt album) extract [Iscador Qu Spezial or Helixor (aqueous VAL extract) or Lec-tin-1 (galactoside-specific lectin). The various extracts of Viscum album (VAL) differ in composition and immunomodulatory effect. Some of these extracts stimulate release of y-IFN, IL-4, TNF-a, IL-12 and IL-6 and are used as unconventional adjuvant therapy in the treatment of HIV and cancer [15-18]. Controlled studies of the galactoside-specific lectin component showed no evidence of cellular reaction in bladders with urothelial carcinoma [19]. The specific agents contained in the extract that are purported to have an antitumor effect have not yet been characterized. Non-specific adjuvant, boosts the cellular and humoral... 

Systematic reviews of several dozen clinical trials (all subcutaneous injections of 1 to 200 mg) indicated that European mistletoe is generally very well tolerated, with no serious adverse events reported. Minor localized reactions at the injection site are sometimes associated with injections of European mistletoe, but such effects are not expected after oral use (Horneber et al. 2009 Kienle et al. 2009 Stein and Berg 2000). 

Allergic reactions, including anaphylactic reactions, to European mistletoe have been reported (Bauer et al. 2005 Horneber et al. 2009 Hutt et al. 2001 Kienle et al. 2009). 

Animal studies have demonstrated that European mistletoe may modify glucose regulation (Eno et al. 2008 Nwaegerue et al. 2007 Ohiri et al. 2003). People with diabetes are advised to monitor their blood sugar closely and discuss the use of this herb with a qualified healthcare practitioner prior to use. 

Some authorities suggest that blood pressure should be checked regularly in persons consuming European mistletoe tea (Wichtl 2004). 

No information on the safety of European mistletoe during pregnancy or lactation was identified in the scientific or traditional literature. Due to the relative toxicity of some compounds in European mistletoe, use during pregnancy is not recommended unless under the care of a qualified healthcare practitioner (Bussing 1996). 

An increase in eosinophil (a type of white blood cell) counts has been reported after administration of lectin-rich European mistletoe preparations (Huber et al. 2005 Stein and Berg 2000). 

Patients on a "slow" dose escalation scheme had less of a decline in T lymphocytes. An escalation of dose over the course of treatment is a standard practice for European mistletoe. In this study, the subcutaneous doses began at 0.01 mg and went to 20 mg (Bussing et al. 2007). 

In diabetic and healthy rats intravenously administered 100 mg/kg of European mistletoe, a reduction in blood glucose levels was observed in diabetic animals but not in healthy animals. An increase in insulin secretion was observed in both healthy and diabetic animals (Eno et al. 2008). 

In diabetic and healthy rats administered 250, 500, 750, or 1000 mg/kg of a hydroethanolic extract of European mistletoe, a dose-dependent reduction in glucose levels was observed (Nwaegerue et al. 2007). 

Some inhibition of the drug-metabolizing isoenzyme CYP3A4 was observed after treatment with European mistletoe, although the authors indicated that clinically relevant systemic or intestinal interactions with CYP3A4 were considered unlikely (Engdal and Nilsen 2009). 

An aqueous extract of European mistletoe was found to stimulate insulin secretion from clonal pancreatic B cells (Gray and Flatt 1999). 

No information on the safety of European mistletoe during pregnancy or lactation was identified. 

The LDjo of an intraperitoneally administered aqueous extract of European mistletoe in mice is 4.18 g/kg (Ohiri et al. 2003). 

The LD50 of intraperitoneally administered standardized extracts of European mistletoe is 700 mg/kg in mice and 378 mg/kg in rats (Stein 2000). The LD50 after intravenous administration to mice is 500 mg/kg and after subcutaneous administration to mice is 1200 mg/kg (Luther etal. 1986). 

No genotoxic activity of European mistletoe was observed in a variety of assays, including a bacterial mutation assay, mammalian cell gene mutation assay, in vitro cytogenetic assay, cell transformation assay, and the Ames test (Mengs 1998 Mengs et al. 1997). 

Olson, J. and G. Samuelsson, The amino acid sequence of viscotoxin A2 from the European mistletoe (Viscum album), Acta Chem. Scand, 2<5, 585-595 (1972). 

Known plant toxins are 1. the homologous viscotoxins (Af, 4,840 46 amino acid residues of known sequence 3 disulfide bridges) from leaves and branches of the European mistletoe, which have hypotensive activity and cause a slowing of the heart beat 2. the toxalbumins Ricin (see) and abrin, which inhibit protein biosynthesis. 

B. Amer, O.J. Juvik, F. Dupont, G.W. Francis, T. Fossen, Novel aminoalkaloids from European mistletoe Viscum album L.), Phytochem. Lett. 5 (2012) 677-681. 

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