• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6417-6421
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• 2015

Viscum album var (VAV) also known as mistletoe, has long been categorized as a traditional herbal medicine in Asia. In addition to its immunomodulating activities, mistletoe has also been used in the treatment of chronic hepatic disorders in China and Korea. There are numerous reports showing that VAV possesses anti-cancer effects, however influence on human hepatocarcinoma has never been elucidated. In the present study, hot water extracts of VAV was evaluated for its potential anti-cancer effect in vitro. SK-Hep1 cells were treated with VAV (50-400ug/ml) for both 24 and 48 hours then cell viability was measured by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). Flow cytometry analysis was used to measure the proportion of SK-Hep1 in the different stages of cell cycle. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis were conducted to measure expression of cell cycle arrest related genes and proteins respectively. VAV dose dependently inhibited the proliferation of SK-Hep1 cells without any cytotoxicity with normal Chang liver cell (CCL-13). Flow cytometry analysis showed that VAV extract inhibited the cell cycle of SK-Hep1 cells via G1 phase arrest. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis both revealed that cyclin dependent kinase 2 (Cdk2) and cyclin D1 gene expression were significantly down regulated while p21 was upregulated dose dependently by VAV treatment. Combined down regulation of Cdk2, Cyclin D1 and up regulation of p21 can result in cell death. These results indicate that VAV showed evidence of anti-cancer activity through G1 phase cell cycle arrest in SK-Hep1 cells.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.886-894
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• 2012

For the development of Moru wine with enhanced sensory qualities, Moru (Vitis amurensis) wines were fermented with pine needles from Pinus densiflora Siebold et Zuccarini to make Moru-pine wine or medicinal herbs from Astragali Radix and Viscum album to make Moru-herb wine. Moru without pine needles or medicinal herbs was included as a control. Pine needles and Astragali Radix/Viscum album delayed the fermentation of Moru wine, but after 40 days of fermentation and aging, final ethanol contents, pH, acidity, and the sugar/organic acid content in these kinds of Moru wines had no differences. The final ethanol level and acidity of Moru wines were 11.5~12.9% and 1.1~1.2%, respectively, but any sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose) were not detected in all Moru wines. These results are consistent with the general characteristics of Moru wines, which have a high acidity and low sugar contents. Relatively low browness and antocyanins were detected in Moru-herb wine decreasing its chromaticity in a sensory test. Overall, the supplements of Astragali Radix/Viscum album reduced the color of normal Moru wine, which might be applied toward the development of conventional Moru wines.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.47-53
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• 2008

Effects of growth regulators and culture conditions on seed germination, haustorium development, and callus formation of Korean mistletoe (Viscum album var. coloratum (Kom.) Ohwi) were described. Histological examination showed that seed of V. album contained one or two zygotic embryos with rod shape, and actively dividing cells were mainly distributed in radicle region rather than cotyledon of zygotic embryo. The most significant factor for seed germination and haustorium development of V. album was the requirement of the light. Various growth regulators examined in this study failed to substitute the effect of the light on seed germination. The frequency of callus formation was highest at 27.3% when flower buds were cultured onto B5 medium containing $0.1\;mgl^{-1}$ IAA. Explants from other organs were recalcitrant in forming calluses. Culture conditions described in this study could be applied for production of useful metabolites and multiplication of V. album in future.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.310-315
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• 2008

Viscum album coloratum (Korean mistletoe; KM) is a semi-parasitic plant growing on various trees. This plant hasbeen shown to possess a variety of biological functions such as immunomodulation, apoptosis-induction and antitumor activity. However, there is no information about how the extract of KM affects life span of the host. In this study, in order to examine the effect of KM on the longevity of the host, we investigated whether a Korean mistletoe extract (KME) was able to extend the life length in an experimental model using the spring silkworm moth of Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera bombycidae). We established a model test for survival in which all of the male and female moths died within 18 days after the beginning of the experiment. Mean survival time of female moths was longer than that of male moths. Both male and female moths fed with KME containing diet (200 or 400 ${\mu}g$/head/day) showed significantly higher mean survival times than those of the control moths. Studying the effect of KME on prolongation of mean survival time showed that male moths were more susceptible than female moths. The moths fed with KME-containing diet showed a slight decrease in body weight. Interestingly, however, no difference in food intake was observed between moths fed with KME-containing diet and those with control diet. In analysis for mRNA increase in the SIRT2 gene, a member of the Sir2 gene family playing important roles in regulation of cell death and prolongation of life span, moths fed with KME-containing diet showed a significant increase in SIRT2 gene expression. These results suggest that KME has a potential to extend the life span in Bombyx mori, and its effect is partly associated with increase in SIRT2 gene expression.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.355-361
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• 2022

Melanin pigments are the main cause of skin color. They are produced in melanocytes and then transferred to keratinocytes, which eventually gives the skin surface a variety of colors. Although many skin-lightening or depigmenting agents have been developed, the demand for materials to reduce pig- mentation is still increasing. Here, we tried to find materials for skin-lightening or depigmentation using natural compounds and found that mistletoe (Viscum album var. coloratum) extracts (ME) had an inhibitory effect on tyrosinase activity. As a result, ME significantly reduced pigmentation in human primary melanocytes. In addition, a promoter reporter assay revealed that ME inhibited the transcription of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), melanophilin (MLPH), tyrosinase-related protein-2 (TRP-2), and tyrosinase (TYR) genes in HM3KO melanoma cells. In addition, ME decreased the protein level for pigmentation-related molecules, such as TYR and TRP-1. Furthermore, it markedly inhibited the melanogenesis of zebrafish embryos, an in vivo evaluation model for pigmentation. To elucidate the action mechanism of ME, we investigated its effects on intracellular signaling. Eventually, the ME dramatically decreased the phosphorylation of the cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB), AKT, and ERK. The data suggest that ME may inhibit the melanogenesis pathway by regulating the signaling pathway related to pigmentation. Taken together, these data propose that ME can be developed as a depigmenting or skin-lightening agent.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.104 no.1
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• pp.50-59
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• 2015

We investigated seasonal variation in photosynthetic characteristics and chlorophyll content of the Loranthus tanakae, Viscum album var. coloratum and its hosts in Korea. The maximum photosynthesis and transpiration rate of L. tanakae were $9.36{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$ at $941{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$ PAR (photosynthetically active radiation) in June, $5.06{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$ at $1,596{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$ PAR in July, respectively. The maximum photosynthesis and transpiration rate of V. album var. coloratum were $6.51{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$ at $418{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$ PAR in Autumn, $3.91{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$ at $1,735{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$ PAR in Autumn, respectively. V. album var. coloratum was able to conduct photosynthesis in November whereas its host and L. tanakae were not able to conduct photosynthesis. Especially transpiration rate of L. tanakae were always higher than its host and V. album var. coloratum. The chlorophyll a+b contents of L. tanakae was $8.23mg{\cdot}g^{-1}$ in July, V. album var. coloratum was $10.27mg{\cdot}g^{-1}$ in June, and chlorophyll a/b ratio of L. tanakae was 1.7~3.7, V. album var. coloratum was 1.1~4.5, depend on season.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 1996

The aim of this research was to investigate the chemical components of C30 compounds, especially triterpenoids in Korean native mistletoes of Korthalsella japonicus Engler parasiting to Camellia japonica L., Viscum album var. coloratum (Kom.) Ohmi, to Quercus acutissima Carruth. and Loran-thus yadoriko Sieb. to Neolitsea sericea (BI.) Koidz. For the identification of triterpenoidal components, alkaline hydrolyzates of mistletoes meals were analyzed by TLC, GC, and GC/MS. The content of oleanolic acid and ursolic acid derivatives were highest in K. japonica. In V. album, there was no big difference between leaves and twigs in content. but oleanolic acid in leaves. and olean-12-en-$3{\beta}$-ol and lup-20(29)-en-3-one in twigs were prominent. Similiar to V. album in L. yadoriki there was no difference between leaves and twigs in content, and both olean-12-en-$3{\beta}$-ol, lup-20(29)-en-3-one and urs-12-en-$3{\beta}$-ol in leaves, lup-20(29)-en-3-one in twigs were abundant. Triterpenoids as olea-12-en-$3{\beta}$-ol, lupe-20(29)-en-3-one, 3-oxo-urs-12-en-24-oic acid, and $21{\beta}$-A'-neogam-macer-22(29)-en-3-ol acetate were common in all samples tested. whereas ursolic acid only in P. japonicus and ursenol in L. yadoriki were detected. And P. japonicus had the largest number of triterpenoids and showed the highest in biological activity. So it is noted that Korean mistletoes tested in the study had three types of triterpenoid, oleanane, lupane, and ursane, irrespective of hosts, sampling positions and species.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Biotechnology Conference
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.253-253
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• 2005

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Life Science Conference
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• 2007.10a
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• pp.51.1-51.1
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• 2007

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• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.81-91
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• 2017

This study was carried out to investigate the quality characteristics and antioxidant activities of bread containing mistletoe (Viscum album var.) powder (at ratios of 0, 3, 5, 7, and 10% of total flour quantity). As mistletoe powder (MP) content increased, the pH levels of dough and bread and lightness decreased, whereas total titratable acidity increased. The fermentation power of the dough expansion by fermentation decreased with an increase in MP content added. Although bread weight decreased, there were no significant differences in baking loss as MP content increased. Volume and specific volume significantly decreased as MP content increased. Moisture content was highest at a substitution level of 10% and increased with increasing MP content. Lightness of crumbs significantly decreased with increasing MP content, whereas redness and yellowness showed the reverse effect. As MP content increased, changes in hardness, gumminess, and brittleness were all significant. In the sensory evaluation, color, flavor, softness, and overall acceptability were highest at MP 3% and were lowest at MP 10%. Total polyphenol contents and DPPH radical scavenging activity of bread significantly increased with increasing MP content. In conclusion, addition of MP 3% showed the best performance in terms of the nutritional and functional aspects of the bread.