• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.690-698
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• 2016

Various bioactive substances are found in mistletoe, including viscumneoside III (1) and homoflavoyadorinin B (2), both which inhibit tyrosinase. These two compounds are mainly found in the EtOAc fraction of the mistletoe extract and demonstrate higher rates of tyrosinase inhibition than ascorbic acid, which was used as a control. Our results suggest that mistletoe extracts can be utilized in skin whitening cosmetics.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.307-313
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• 2004

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of mistletoe (Viscum album var. coloratum) growing on Carpinus laxiflora BL. on proliferation and differentiation of HL-60 acute promyelocytic leukemia cells. Aqueous extract and its $(NH_2)_2SO_4$ saturated fractions of the mistletoe exhibited potent anti-proliferation activity against HL-60 cells. Moreover, when HL-60 cells were treated with 0~30% and 30～70% $(NH_2)_2SO_4$ saturated fractions of the mistletoe, HL-60 expressed CD 66b or CD 14 cell surface antigens and showed activity to reduce nitroblue tetrazolium, indicating that mistletoe induces the differentiation of HL-60 into granulocytes or monocytes. To understand how mistletoe induces the differentiation, we investigated the expression of molecules for modulating the proliferation and differentiation of leukemia cells, such as c-Myc and myeloblastin. The 0~30% $(NH_2)_2SO_4$ saturated fraction of the mistletoe reduced the mRNA levels of c-Myc and myeloblastin in a time-dependent manner. The results indicate that the mistletoe induces the differentiation of HL-60 cells via the decrease of c-Myc and myeloblastin expressions. Thus, it is suggested that mistletoe has a therapeutic potential for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia.

• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.662-670
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• 2006

It is well documented that an extract of European mistletoe has a variety of biological effects, such as the stimulation of cytokine production from immune cells, and additional immunoadjuvant activities. While the European mistletoe has been studied intensively, we know less about Korean mistletoe as a therapeutic plant, especially as a possible immunomodulating drug. This study will investigated the effects of Korean mistletoe lectin (Viscum album L. var. coloratum agglutinin, VCA) on murine splenocytes to investigate whether VCA acts as an immunomodulator, which could lead to improved immune responses in these cells. The results showed that VCA inhibited cell proliferation at higher concentrations (at 1-8 ng/ml) and enhanced cell proliferation at lower concentrations (at 4-32 pg/ml). Further studies were carried out to determine if the pro-proliferative or anti-proliferative activity exhibited by VCA was correlated with cytokine secretion. Consequently, interferon (IFN)-$\gamma$ secretion was decreased in concanavalin A (ConA)-stimulated murine splenocytes by VCA (4-64 ng/ml), but there was no change in IL-4 levels. This suggests that VCA has the ability to modulate murine splenocyte proliferation and can possibly act on the balance of Th1/Th2 cellular immune responses.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.93-101
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• 2002

The extract of European mistletoe ( Viscum album, L) has been used in adjuvant chemotherapy of cancer and mistletoe lectins are considered to be major active components. The present work was performed to investigate the effects of Korean mistletoe lectin (Viscum album L. coleratum agglutinin, VCA) on proliferation and apoptosis of human hepatoma cells as well as the underlying mechamisns for these effects. We showed that VCA induced atoptosis in both SK-Hep-1 and Hep 3B (p53-negative) cells through p53- and p21 -independent pathways. VCA induced apoptosis by down-regulation of Bcl-2 and by up-regulation of Bax functioning upstream of caspase-3 in both cell lines. In addition, we observed down-regulation of telomerase activity in both VCA-treated cells. Our results provide direct evidence of the anti-tumor potential of this biological response which comes from inhibition of telomerase and consequent inducing apoptosis. VCA-induced apoptosis is regulated by mitochondria controlled pathway independently of p53. These findings are important for the therapy with preparation of mistletoe because they show that telomerase-dependent mechanism can be targeted by VCA in human hepatocarcinoma. Taken together, our results suggest that the VCA, considered as a telomerase-inhibitor, can be envisaged as a candidate for enhancing sensitivity of conventional anticancer drugs.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.25-34
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• 1976

The extract of commercial mistletoe caused transient contraction of mouse ileum in vitro at the level of $7{\times}10^{-4}g/ml$ and augmented significantly its peristalsis. When the ileum was pre-treated With $10^{-6}g/ml$ of adrenaline the administration of the extract at a level of $10^{-4}g/ml$ blocked the contraction. The increase inperistalsis and intention was also observed in rabbit ileum in vitro with the administration of the extract at a level of $10^{-1}g/ml$ but these phenomenon were inhibited by the adrenaline treatment at a level of $10^{-6}g/ml.$ When the extract was applied to spirally cut strips of thoracic aorta at the level of $10^{-3}g/ml$ the contractile action of adrenaline was significantly inhibited. When the extract was infused to auricular blood vessel of rabbit at the rate of $10^{-4}g/ml,\;10^{-3}g/ml,\;10^{-2}g/ml$ and $10^{-1}g/ml$ increases in number of drops by 70%, 77%, 93% and 100% were observed if the maximum number of drops caused by $10^{-1}g/ml$ is considered to be 100%. The duration of prolongation was proportionate to the increase in concentration of the extract. Hypotensive action of the extract and its duration were proportionately increased as the quantity of the extract increased. The increase in number and depth of respiration observed during the hypotensive status was brought to the normal when the tension became normal. In view of these observations it is concluded that the extract of commercial mistletoe has a contractile action of acetylcholine effect in the ileum of mouse and rabbit, loosens both aorta and smooth muscle and promotes peripheral circulation. As for the hypotensive action it is concluded that the action is brought about by the decrease in peripheral circulatory resistance due to the antagonism between acetylcholine and adrenaline.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.27 no.8
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• pp.840-844
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• 2004

A triterpene was isolated as a cytotoxic principle from the dichloromethane extract of Korean mistletoe (KM； Viscum album colora turn) by repeated silica gel chromatography and recrystalli-zation. In in vitro analysis of cytotoxic activity using various human and murine tumor cell lines, the dichloromethane extract of KM was highly cytotoxic against these cells. We isolated the most active compound, referred to VD-3, from the dichloromethane extract of KM. The VD-3 was shown to be less cytotoxic to normal cells (murine splenocytes). From the identification of the chemical structure of VD-3 by spectral data and chemical synthesis, the compound was proven to be epi-oleanolic acid. Tumor cells treated with VD-3 showed a typical pattern of apo-ptotic cell death, such as apparent morphological changes and DNA fragmentation. These results indicate that epi-oleanolic acid is an important compound responsible for antitumor activity of KM.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.362-368
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• 1997

As a preliminary study for the development of cancer-preventing functional food using Korean mistletoe, the cytotoxic effects of Korean mistletoe on between non-tumorigenic A3l cell and tumorigenic MSV cell derived from mouse 3T3 fibroblast cell line were investigated. While the raw extract, of which $ID_{50}$, value was $3.94\;{\mu}g/mL$, showed strong cytotoxic effect, its heat-treated extract was not cytotoxic up to $30\;{\mu}g/mL$. On the other hand, the heat-treated extract with law concentration showed an accelerative effect on the proliferation of non-tumorigenic A3l cell and an inhibitory effect on that of tumorigenic MSV cell. In addition, the influences of the addition of carbohydrates, such as galactose, lactose, glucose, mannose, fructose, sucrose and starch, to mistletoe extract were studied. There were not any significant changes with raw extract plus carbohydrate treatment, but the accelerative and inhibitory effects of heat-treated extract on each A3l and MSV cell were increased further by the treatment with sugars such as lactose, galactose, glucose, fructose. In order to investigate the changes of cytotoxicity of fermented Korean mistletoe according to fermentation periods, the raw and heat-treated extract were inoculated with Lactobacillus plantarum. During 1, 3, 5 and 7 fermentation days, the fermented raw mistletoe extract showed gradual accelerative effect on A31 cell proliferation without any changes of cytotoxicity on MSV cell. In case of the fermented heat-treated extract, however, the accelerative effect of heat-treated extract on A31 cell proliferation in early stage was disappeared during the fermentation.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.371-377
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• 2017

Muscle atrophy is characterized by a decrease in the mass of the muscle. With an increase in life expectancy and chronic illnesses, the incidence of muscle atrophy is increasing and the quality of life of patients is decreasing. Thus, reducing muscle atrophy is of high clinical and socio-economic importance. Mistletoe is a semi-parasitic plant that has been used as a traditional medicine in many countries to treat various human illnesses. It has been reported that Korean mistletoe extract (KME) has diverse biological functions including anti-tumor, anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity properties, and extension of lifespan. Especially, we have recently reported that KME improves exercise endurance in mice, indicating its beneficial roles in enhancing the capacity of skeletal muscle. In this study, we investigated whether KME could activate the signaling pathway related to protein synthesis in a mouse model of muscle atrophy. Interestingly, KME efficiently activated the Akt/mTOR pathway, and Akt and mTOR are important signaling hub molecules for the acceleration of protein synthesis in muscle cells. In addition, KME also increased the activity of S6 kinase which is involved in the regulation of muscle cell size. Moreover, the ERK activity, required for transcription of ribosomal RNA for protein synthesis, was also enhanced in KME-treated mouse muscle. These data support the idea that KME increases muscle mass via increased protein synthesis. Our findings also suggest that Korean mistletoe might be a promising candidate for the development of functional foods that are beneficial for preventing muscle atrophy.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.919-924
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• 2012

This study was conducted to investigate the antimicrobial activities and antioxidant activities of the Korean mistletoe extract and its solvent fractions (e.g. n-hexane, ethyl ether, ethyl acetate, butanol). Ethyl ether fraction against Bacillus cereus showed stronger activities than benzoic acid (2.5 mg/mL). The MIC of korean mistletoe extract and slovent fractions were in the range of 6.25-25 mg/mL. The MIC (6.25 mg/mL) of ethyl acetate fraction onto Staphylocossus aureus was the lowest among them. Ethyl ether fraction which showed the strongest antioxidant activities by DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl) and FRAP (ferric ion reducing antioxidant power) methods had the highest total phenolic contents. It is suggested that Korean mistletoe could be utilized as natural preservative material through the study of the active compounds from ethyl ether fraction.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.170-178
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• 2001

Background: Korean mistletoe (Viscum album) extract has been found to posses immunostimulatory activity. In this study, Korean mistletoe extract, M11C (non-lectin components), was used to know whether this extract might activate mouse peritoneal macrophages to produce interleukin $1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$). Methods: Hemagglutination assay was carried out to examine whether M11C contained a lectin or not. To know the effect of M11C on the production of IL-$1{\beta}$, the macrophages were treated by the M11C, and then collected the supernatant (M11C stimulated macrophages-conditioned media; MMCM). MMCM was analyzed for the IL-$1{\beta}$ quantification and mRNA expression by means of ELISA and RT-PCR, respectively. Results: Maximum effective dose and time of M11C on IL-$1{\beta}$ production from macrophages were $20{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ and 8 hours, respectively. This ELISA data was reconfirmed by immunoblotting assay. indicating that M11C is a good candidate for an immunomodulator. The dose and time dependent effects of M11C on the expression of IL-$1{\beta}$ mRNA from macrophages was also shown in expression of mRNA detected by RT-PCR. Treatment dose and time for the maximum expression of IL-$1{\beta}$ mRNA were $20{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ and 4 hours, respectively. Maximum gene expression of IL-$1{\beta}$ was much earlier than maximum production of it. Conclusion: As results, Korean mistletoe extract, M11C, may be used for an immunomodulator. This will be able to make up for and solve the problems caused by existent immunoagent with many adverse effects through many other studies in future including one molecule extraction.