Prolonged cytotoxic effect of aqueous extracts from dried viscum album on bladder cancer cells

Pharmazie. 2007 Mar;62(3):237-8.

Abstract

Aqueous extracts from whole dried mistletoe (Viscum album L., Iscucin) are often used in anti-cancer treatment. We studied the effect of extracts obtained from mistletoe bushes that grew on different host trees on bladder cancer cells by means of MTT-colorimetric cell proliferation/survival assays. The extracts possessed concentration-dependent cytotoxic properties whose extent varied with the host tree, but did not always correlate with the corresponding mistletoe lectin content. A 2-hours treatment of bladder cancer cells triggered a later, strong cytotoxic effect. This prolonged effect suggests that instillation with Iscucin has therapeutic potential for bladder cancer patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Tetrazolium Salts
  • Thiazoles
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / pathology
  • Viscum / chemistry*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Plant Extracts
  • Tetrazolium Salts
  • Thiazoles
  • thiazolyl blue