PERIODICUM BIOLOGORUM
Vol. 97, No. 1, 61-87, 1995
25
UDC 57:61 a 5
CODEN PDBIAD Fy
ISSN 0031-5362 JAS
Original scientific paper
Comparison of the effects of high and low concentrations of
the separated Viscum album L. lectins and of the plain
mistletoe plant preparation (Isorel) on the growth of normal
and tumor cells in vitro
NEVEN ZARKOVIC", MILICA TRBOJEVIC-CEPE®, ZORAN ILIC!"*, MAJA HRZENJAK "5, SHERIFE GRAINCA!
‘and MISLAV JURIN:
INTRODUCTION
Mistletoe (Viscum album) has a long history of
plant source for the preparalion of different extracts
used in the therapy of numerous diseases, such as
connective tissue disorders, hypertension, diabetes
mellitus, epilepsy, and even infertility (1, 3, 21, 29
39). The major break-through in the philosophy and
practical use of the mistletoe preparations in the hu-
man medicine wes done about 70 years ago by Ru-
dolf Stoiner (33). Thus, during the last half of the cen-
tury there is an increasing interest to use mistletoe
extracts in the therapy of cancer (8, 16, 21, 26). Name.
ly, several data point to a cytotoxic action of these ex:
tracts against the different tumor cell lines that is
based on the induction of the programmed cell death
‘apoptosis" and the inhibition of the cellular protein
synthesis (10, 12, 14,17, 19, 28). On the other hand,
the application of the mistletoe preparations in vivo
might have an immunomodulating effect, mainly
stimulating the cytotoxic activity of the lymphocytes
and the release of cytokines (6, 8, 9, 1, 19). The dual
activity of the mistletoe preparations, ve. cylotoxicity
for the tumor cells and the enhancement of the im-
mune host defence against the malignant cells, gives
support for the practical use of the preparations in
the human medicine (1). In spite of that, the nature of
the active components of the mistletoe preparations
i stil not sufficiently defined, but there are data incl
coating that the toxic mistletoe lectins might be the
active prinoiple of the mistletoe biological actiaty (5)
Mistletoe lectins are complexed proteins of the high
molecular weight (30-120 kDa), which achieve a
prominent cytotoxic effect if used at microgram con:
centrations in vitro (4, 26). Yei, i used at ng/kg doses
in vio, mistletoe lectins could stimulate the function
Of the immune system (6-8). On the other hand, the
recent findings show that the mistletoe lectins could
even induce production of the specific antibodies in
cancer patients as a consequence of applied treat
Period biol, Vo! 97, No 1, 1995
ment with the plain mistletoe preparations (34). How:
ever, itis still doubtful, if the mistletoe lectins might
be the active principle of mistletoe preparations,
since mistletoe preparations contain numerous dif
ferent compounds which might show additional bio-
logical or even therapeutic elfects (13, 24, 27, 32)
Hence, the aim ofthis study was to use a simple ultra:
filvaton procedure for separation of the low and high
‘molecular weight (MW) components of the mistletoe
preparation Isorel and compare the effects of the
Separated components with the effects of the entire,
original preparation and the punified mistletoe lectins
on the growth of the normal and malignant cells in
vitro.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Viscum album extract
‘The original preparation of the apple tree mistle
toe extract Isorel M (Novipharm GmbH, Portschach,
Austria) was used. The preparation is produced by
the cold water extraction of the entire plant, without
the homogenisation of the plant or the extract fermen:
tation, and was for the purpose of the research kindly
given by the company Novipharm,
Ultrafiltration procedure
Viscum album preparation was filtered through
the 80 kDa cut-off membrane (YM 30 Diaflo, Amicon
Co,, Danvers, USA) using the Amicon Standard UF-
Cell 8050 (Amicon Grace Div. Danvers, USA) with the
nitrogen gassing . The retentant obtained from 10 ml
solution of the original preparation was washed by il
tering with saline for three times. Concentration of
the proteins in oniginal Viscum alaum preparation
and its modifications containing the higher molecular
‘weight (MMW) components (MW>30 kDa, the rete:
tant Fl) and the eluant containing the lower MV
6N. Parkovié at al
components (MW<80 kDa - F2) was determined us
ing the method of Bradford (2) with the bovine serum
albumin as standard. Membrane ulttalltation reten-
tate and the filtrate (FI and F2 respectively) were
also mixed togethor afterwards upon the viv ratio as
obtained during ultrafitzation and were added to the
cultures as well as the other mistletoe samples. The
concentrations required for the addition to the cell
culture medium were obtained by diluting the sam-
ples with medium and the samples were sterlised by
filtering through the 0.22 y filter.
Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis
‘The samples of the Viscum album preparation
‘were heated at 100°C for § min in presence of ‘sod!
lum dodeey! sulphate (5%) and applied on continous
polyacrylamide gradient gel (6-204). Electrophore
215 vas run for 90 min at constant 25 W power supply
using horizontal electrophoresis chamber LKB Mul
tiphor 2117 (LKB Pharmacia, Uppsala, Sweden). Al
the end, the gel was fixed in solution of 50% methanol
and 12% acetic acid and the protein bands were
Stained by silver staining, Molecular weight of t
Standard used (as indicated by the arrows, Figure |
lanes 2 and §) was 94, 69, 43, 30 , 20 and 14 kDa re-
spectively,
Viscum album lectins
‘The preparation of the Viscum album agglutinin
(AA) (Sigma Chemical Co., Si. Luis, USA) was
used. Before added to the cell culture medium the
lectins were dissolved in saline and filtered through
022 y filter
‘Melanoma B16 Cell Cultures
Melanoma BIG cells were harvested from the tu
‘merous tissue obtained from the CSTBLIGo2gr male
‘mouse bearing the tumor in the hind limb, The animal
vas sacrificed on the LS" day after sc. injection of the
10° live tumor cells. Grossly intact pieces of the tw
mor, removed from the animal under the sterile con
ditions, were minced in a beaker containing the cold
sterile Hanks’ solution and mixed with a 10 ml sy:
tinge. The beaker was placed on ice as toallow large
particles to settle down. Five minutes later the super
natant was removed using a syringe with 22-cauge
needle and passed through a stele gauze into test
tubes. The specimen was spun down on 160g during
IQ min, the supernatant vias discarded and the pellet
resuspended. All visible clumps were removed using
a Pasteur pipette so that cells were dispersed as &
single cell suspension, After washing the cells with
RMPI 1640 medium for three times, at 190 g 10 min
each time, viability of the cells was tested by trypan,
blue exclusion, a number of live tumor cells per ml of
medium was adjusted to 4 x 10%, and the cells wore
seeded in vito. he seeding density cf the cells cul-
tured in 96-well microcytoplates (Greiner, Fricken:
ausen, Germany) was 2 x 10* calls per culture. The
cells were incubated in RPMI 1640 medium supple:
mented with 89 of the fetal calf serum (Serva,
62
‘Tho affects of Viscum album extracts on the cell growth
tou us es
vw sranoaaD
= 69 koa
= 43 x02
= 30 koa
= 14 koe
FIGURE 1. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in
the presence of 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulphate of the
plain mistletoe preparation Isorel (lane 1) and its
membrane (30 kDa cut-of) ultrafiltration retentate
FI (MW>30kDa, lane 3) and eluant F2 (MW-<30kDa,
lana 9, The samples of the Viscum album prepara:
tion were heated at 100°C for § min in presence of
sodium dodecy! sulphate (5%) and applied on con:
tinuos polyacrylamide gradient gel (5-20%). Electro
phoresis was run for 90 min at constant 25 W power
Supply using horizontal electrophoresis chamber
‘LK3 Multiphor 2117 (LKB Pharmacia, Uppsala, Swe
den). At the end, the gel was fixed in solution of $0%
methanol and 12% acetic acid and the protein bands
were stained by silver staining. Molecular weight of
the standard used (as indicated by the arrows, lanes
2and 5) was 94, 69 43, 30, 20 and 14 kDa,
Heildelberg, Germany), and were cultured during
the 48 hours at 37°C in a humidified air atmosphere
wrth 5% CO,, At the time of cell seeding the onginal
Viscum albiim preparation, its preparations contain
ing different MW substances and the mistletoe lec-
tins were added separately at 2 ug or 0.2 ng total pro.
tein/ml medium concentrations to the quadruplicates
of cultures. The intensity of *H-thymidine (sp act 30,
Cymmol, Amersham International Ble, Buckingham
shire, UX) incorporation was determined for the last
24 hours of cell growth in vitro, after the cells were
harvested with the flow harvester (PHD cell harvest:
er, Cambridge Technology , Inc., Watertown, USA)
and the intensity of the cell labelling was measured in
B counter (Wallac 1209 Rackbela liquid scintillation
‘counter, Pharmacia, Sweden),
Period biol, Vol 97, No 1, 1995N. Zackovié at al
‘Murine lymphocyte cultures
Lymphocytes were obtsined from the axillary and
inguinal lymph nodes of the sacrificed C3H male
mice. The tissue of three mice was minced together
and the crude cell suspension was prepared as in
case of melanoma B16, by mechanical dispersion of
the tissue. After the viability of the cells was checked
by the trypan blue exclusion, a number of the live
cells per ml of the RPMI 1640 medium was adjusted
to 8.x 108, and the cells were seeded in vitro. The
seeding density of the lymphocytes cultured in 96-
well micracytoplates was 2.5 x 10° cells per culture.
‘The lymphocytes were incubated in RPMI 1640 me-
dium supplemented with 5% of the fetal calf serum,
and § ug/ml of the plant T-cell mitogenic lectin Con-
canavalin & (ConA) (Sigma Chemical Co,, St. Luis,
USA) and were cultured during the 72 hours at 37°C
ina humidified air atmosphere mth 8% CO,
As in case of melanoma cultures , at the time of
cell seeding the original Viscum album preparation,
its preparations containing different MW substances
and the mistletoe lectins Were added separately at 2
ig or 0.2 ng total protein/ml medium concentrations
to the quadruplicates of cultures. The intensity o
corporation of *H-thymidine was determined for the
last 24 hours of cell growth in vitro, as in case of mel-
anoma BI6 call cultures.
Statistics
The results obtained were anslysed using the
Mann-Whitney test.
Results
The analysis of the protein composition of the
plain preparation and its different MW fraction re-
vesled the presence of one major band in all the sam-
ples (Figure 1). Since the MW of that band was 60-70
kDa it could be supposed that this band mainly rep:
resents the mistletoe lectin content in the prepara-
tion, Plain preparation contained numerous other
protein components of different MW within the range
of <10 kDa to >100 kDa, but the majority of the com:
ponents was represented by the dominating bard
and 40-60 kDa renge. Crude fraction of higher MW
(retentant of 30 kDa cutoff membrane) contained al-
most exclusively protein compan: a
30 kDa. Beside the MW range of 40-70 kDa which was
also dominating in the native preparation, this crude
fraction contained relatively high amount of compo:
nents of MW>100 kDa which probably represent
misiletoe lectin conjugates. As was expected higher
MIW components were not found at all in the crude
fraction of lower MW (filtrate of 30 kDa cut-off mer
brane). This fraction contained the components of
MW<30 kDa, but as in the other no samples the
major band was of 60-70 kDa, The most convenient
explanation for that finding could be that this band
represents the conjugata of some lower MW compo:
nents. The effects of plain Viscum album preparation,
its different molecular weight (MW) components and
the mistletoe lectins on the growth of cultured mela-
Period biol, Vol 97, No 1, 1995
‘The elfects of Viscum album extracts on the cell grown
noma B16 cells are presented by Figure 2, The addi.
tion of the original mistletoe preparation or misiletoe
lectins at 2 pg/ml concentration completely abol
ished the incorporation of the labelled thymidine into
melanoma cells in vitro (both, for the Viscum album
preperation and for the pure Viscum album lectins if
compared with the control , P< 0.08). However, there
was no difference in the intensity of the thymidine in:
corporation between the cultures treated with mistle
toe lectins or with the mistlstoe preparation (P>0.1),
8
FIGURE 2. The effects of the plain Viscum album
preparation’, Its different MW components and mis
Yetoe lectins on the intensity of °H-thymialine incor
‘poration into the melanoma B16 cells ia vitto. The re
sults are given as mean CPM values per well ( SD 6.
18 %6 of the respective mean ) obtained for quad
plicates of cultures. - *Isorel
ifused at2 g/m! concentration. On the other hand, if
used at 0.2 ng/ml concentration the preparation sig:
nificantly (P<0.05) inhibited thymidine corporation
into the melanoma cells, while the lectins did not
show any effects (P>0.1). The higher MW compo
nents (Fl) of the mistletoe preparation (MW>30
kDa) added at 2 ug/ml concentration inhibited signif
icantly the growth of melanoma B16 cells (P<0.05)
bbut were not so efficient as the entire preparation or
isletoe lectins. [used at low concentration (02
}) these components of the mistletoe prepare:
tion did not show any effect on the thymidine meorpo-
tion (P>0.1), just ike purified mistletoe lectins, but
not like the original mistletoe preparation. Hence, theN. Zarkowié at al,
intensity of the thymidine incorporation in melanoma
BIG cells in presence of the entire preparation was
lower than in presence of only its higher MW compo:
nents (P<0.08). Unusual results were obtained for
the cell cultures containing the low MW (<30 kDa)
components of the Viscum album preparation (F2).
In the presence of 2 ug/ml of low MW components of
the preparation only a moderate, but significant
(P<0.08) inhibition of the thymidine incorporation
was observed.
Yet, the same intensity of thymidine incorporation,
was also determined if the cells were incubated in
the presence of 0.2 ng/ml of the low MW components
of the preparation. Thus, the intensities of thymidine
incorporation in presence of 2 g/ml and 0.2 ng/ml of
low MW components af mistletoe preparation were
‘equal (P>0 1). Furthermore, there was no difference
between the effects of the original preparation and its
low MW components if used at 0.2 ng/ml concentra:
tion (P<0.1), while in presence of 2 g/ml of the en:
tire preparation the intenstty of thymidine corpora:
tion was significantly lower than in presence of the
same concentration of its separated low MW compo:
nents (P<0.08). Hence, it is obvious that if used at
high concentration in vitro @ pg/ml), the mistletoe
preparation showed the inhibitory effects equal to the
affect of the pure mistletce lectins. Neither low.nor
high MW components of the preparation separately
showed the same inhibitory ellact as the entire prep-
aration, ifused at high concentration, Moreover, such
a strong inhibiting activity of the plain preparation
Could not be restored by mixing Fl and F2 modifica:
ons of the Viscum album preparation (P>0.08).
However, if used at low concentration (0.2 ng/ml),
Viscum album preparation could inhibit aymidine in
corporation in cultured melanoma 316 cells, like its,
low MW components, but unlike the pure mistletoe
lectins or hich MW components of the preparation.
Mazing of Fl and F2 did not give any particular out
‘come concerning the low concentration activity of the
preparation, since the effect of 0.2 ng/ml of such
modification added to the tumor cells was equal 10
the elfects of F2 or the plain Viscum album prepara-
tion (P>0.05). The results obtained on murine lym-
hooyte cultures are presented by Figure 3. An obw
ous inhibitory effect on the lymphocyte growth in
presence of ConA could be observed if the calls
were cultured with high concentauon @ ug/ml) of
the mistletoe lectins or mistletoe preparation (for
both the lectins and the Viscum album preparation if
compared with the contol, P<0.08). The very same
effect was also observed for the lymphocytes cul-
tured in presence of high MW components of the
preparation (if compared with the control, P<0.08).
However, there was no difference in the intensity of
the thymidine incorporation between the cultures
containing the pure lectins or entire mistletoe prep2
ration (P>0.1) just like there was no difference be.
tween the effects of the entire mistletoe preparation
andits high MV components (P>0.1) or between the
mistletoe lectins and the high MW components of the
mistletoe preparation (P>0.1). The intensity of the
thymidine incorporation wes also decreased if the
4
‘The effects of Viscum album extracts on the cell growth
8
8
8
cg, Bia Cesdrant
FIGURE 3. The effects of the plain Viscum album
preparation”, its different MW components and mis
jeloe lectins on the intensity of *H-thymidine incor-
poration into the murine lymph node lymphocytes
cultured in presence of Cond, The results are given
a5 mean CPM values per ell (SD 12-25 % of tte re
spective mean) obtained for quadruplicates of cul
tures. * -Isorel
lymphocytes were cultured with 2 ug/ml of the ow
MW components of the mistletoe preparation
(P.<0.08), However, in presence of 2 ug/ml of the [ow
MW components of the mistletoe preparation the in-
tensity of the thymidine incorporation was higher
than if the cells were cultured with mistletoe lectins,
entire mistletoe preparation or with the high MMW
;ponents of the preparation (for all the cases the
fence was significant, P<0.08). On the other
hand, mixed Fl and F2 modifications of the Vi
album preparation showed low inhibiting activity,
‘equal to the activity of the F2 modification alon
(50.08)
thermore, only a moderate inhibition of the thy:
midina imcorporation could be observed if the lym-
‘es were incubated in the presence of low con.
jon (0.2 ng/ml) of the mistletoe samples. Yer,
rences were significant f compared with the
control for all the cases (P<0.08), except if the cells,
with mistletoe lectins or with high MW
components of the Viscum album preparation
(P>0.1). Although lower intensity of the thyrnidine in-
corporation could be noticed if the cells were incu:
Period biol, Vol 97, No 1, 1995N. Parkovié at a
bated with low MW components of the mistletoe
preparation than if cultured with the entire prepara:
ton, high MW components of the preparation or with,
the mistletoe lectins, in none of the cases the differ
ence was significant (P>0.1). Thete was no differ
ence observed either if 0.2 ng/m! of mixed Fl and F2
modifications was added to lymphocytes (in compar:
{son to the other mistletoe samples, P>0.05). Thus, it
is obvious that the mistletoe preparation shows the
similay, but not the same, pattern of the concentration
depencient inhibitory activity on the cell growth in vit.
ro as the pure mistletoe lectins. The actiity of the
entire preparation could not be obtained by using
only its high or low MW components, as well as by
using the pure mistletoe lectins alone
DISCUSSION
Comparison of the effects of the com;
toe preparation and its different MW fractions on the
growth of melanoma B16 cells in vitro indicate that
either low MW components nor high 1
nents of the preparation could inhibi
growth as much as the original preparaticn. Howey.
x, ifused at high concentration (2 pg/mi) te effect of
the original preparation was similar to the eifact of its
high MW components alone. Thus obtained inhi
tion was also similar to the inhibiting e:
pure mistletoe lectins, and could be exp:
relatively high MW of the mistlstce lectins (>30 kDa)
(@), 80 the lectins should be mainly presented in the
high MW fraction of the preparation obteined after
ultrafiltration. On the other hand, the effect of the en:
tire Viscum album preparation used at low concen:
tration (0.2 ng/m)), was similar to the effect of the low
‘MW fraction of the preparation. Thus, it seems that if
the preparation was used at such low concentration,
more related of the practical dosage in vivo, its act
ity might result rom the effect of the low MW compo-
nents more likely than from the high MW compo.
ents, such as lectins. Moreover if the pure lectins
were applied at low concentration, they did not
ence the tumor growth at all. [11s known that the mis
tletoe preparations contain lower MW components,
viscotoxins, which could have the similar cytotoxic
activity lie the lectins (31). However, the viscotoxins
should be used at much higher concentration in vitro
(up to hundred fold) than the lectins to achieve the
same biological effects (23). Hen: sahibitory
efect on the growth of cultured ma cells
caused by the low MW components
tion could not be explained as
of viscotoxins because the eff
increased, but by decreased concentration
other hand, it might be possible, that th
fraction of the preparation cor:
tide complexes or proteins, des
It could be possible that the |
proteins or glycopeptide coma!
ly of physically decompased
Plexed mistletoe lectins, a3 wa:
Period biol, Vol 97, No 1, 1995
‘The effects of Viscum album extracts onthe cell growth
ly found (23). Yer, since the nature of the viscotoxins is,
stil not completely defined, it is an open question if
the low MW glycopeptide complexes in ihe mislletoe
preparation could be decomposed subunits of the
mistletoe lectins. On the other hand, the finding of a
broad major 60-70 kDa MW protein band in the plain
mistletoe preparation as well as ints Fl and F2 mod
iftcations indicates not only the presence of mistletoe
Jectns in the preparation but the presence of compo-
nents showing high ability of spontaneous or physt-
cally induced dis(re)aggregation. This possibility is
also indicated by the results which showed that the
growth inhibiting components probably exist in some
form of conjugate sensitive to membrane filtration,
since the activity of the native preparation could net
be restored by mixing together low and high MW
crude fractions obtained after membrane ultrailtra
ton:
However this possibilty could be considered only
as a speculation as long as the nature of the com-
plexed interactions between the different compo.
nents of the mistletoe extract will be verified, Inter-
estingly, the band of the same MW was also found in
the medium of mononuclear cells cultured in pres-
ence of Chinese mistletoe extract, and appeared to
be the major factor secreted by the mistletoe activat
ed mononuclears (3). This factor was found to be dif
st from the well known cytokines, but able to in
duce differentiation of HL- 60 leukemic cells into ma:
ture monocytes (4). The possibility that mistletoe
preparation ISOREL itself contains factor similar 10
the one released by mistletoe treated mononuclear
cells seems provocative bul requires further studies,
‘The results obtained on the lymphocyte cultures indi-
cate again that if used at high concentration in vitro
the mistletoe preparation shows equal efficiency as
the pure lectins. Itis interesting that the lymphocytes
were more sensitive to the high MW components of
the preparation than were the melanoma cells, while
the original preparation and the pure lectins shawed
the same efficiency in the growth inhibition for both
types of cells if used at high concentration, Unusual
finding was the moderate inhibitory effect of the pure
lectins on the lymphocyte growrh if used at low con:
centration. This could be the result of the caroohy-
drate moiety usually present in the puritied
lectins, since the biological
oligosaccharides are stil not completely dafined (22,
26), Moreover, mist
lotds, which might also inhibit the growih of the cul
tured cells (16, 18). They appear fo exist as labile
glycoconjugates with mistlsiee proteins (including
lectins). Yet tis supposed that the loose of such ba:
sic nitrogenous compounds from the mistletoe ex.
tracts curing the isolation of lectins or seperation of
the components according to the MW might be an
explanation for the weaker biological activity of :s0-
lated components of mistletoe preparation in coz
parison with the effects of the entire one (18). Finally,
in spite of the lot of uncertainties concerning the na-
ture of the active principle of the mistletoe prepara-
tions, t could be concluded that the lectins could not
be the only or the major active constituents of these
65IN. Zarkowié at al
preparations, or at least not of the particular Viscum
album preparation used. More likely, the effects of
the mistletoe preparation depends on the concentra-
tion used, the type of cells treated and the combined
effects of he low and the high MW components of the
preparation. The mistletoe lectins might be the main
high MW active components, but the nature of the
low MW active principle of the mistletoe prepara:
tions has yet to be explained,
Acknowledgements. This study was supported by
the research found of Croatian Ministry of Science
and Technology. The authors would also like to ex-
press their sincere gratitude to Mrs, Nevenka HirS!
fo Mrs. Gordana Franz and Mrs. Margareta Cveik
ovski for excellent technical assistance’
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ABSTRACT
Comparison of the effects of high and low concentrations of the
separated Viscum album I. lectins and of the plain mistletoe plant
preparation (Isorel) on the growth of normal and tumor cells in vitro
Background and purpose: Due to their cytotoxic, but not immunosup:
pressive effects various mistletoe (Viscum album L.) preparations are
Used for the therapy of human diseases, particularly cancer. However,
nature of the active principle of mistletoe is stil uncertain, while itis sup
posed that the toxic mistletoe lectins could be the main active component
ofthe plant extracts. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of the
mistletoe lectins with the mistletoe preparation Isorel and its di MW
components (prepared by membrane ultrailtration) on the growth of mu
tne melanoma cells and Cond stimulated lymphocytes in vito.
Material and methods: The effects were determined for high @ ug.
proteins/ml) concentration, which allows the maximal efficiency of the
mistletoe lectins in vitro, and for low concentration (02 ng proteins/m)) ,
which corresponds better to the in vivo applied doses of the mistletoe
preparations, The effects of the samples added to the culture medium
were determined according to their influence on the intensity of “H-thymi
dine incorporation,
Results: The results obtained indicate that the effects of used at higher
dose could be result of the unspecified toxic activiy of the mistletoe lec.
tins, On the contrary, if used at lower concentration, Viscum album prepa.
ration showed mainly growth inhibiting effect on tumor ce
result of the activity of the low MW components, but ni
Conclusions: Hence, itis supposed that the beneficial therapeutic ef
fects of the Viscum album preparation might result irom the combined bi-
logical activity of the high and the low MW components, since none of
them separately was as efficient as the entie preparation. While the high
MW cytotoxic components of the preparation might mainly be mistletoe
lectins, the nature of the low MW active components is sul
ff, Cliical Hospital Centar, Uniecsty of
Zagreb, Kapaa
O18
12, $1000 Zag
re 1, 82010, Graz, £08
* Deparment of Patology and Laborato:
xy Medicine, Unversity af Texas Housion,
Unrest of Teas, Heat
‘erat San Antone, Depart
and Gyneccogy, §
Botconé fate
at Zag.
Key Words:
scum album, Missive, Lactns, Mela
roma, Limpictes, Coma
emisiny, University of
Dedicated to the late Mr. Rudolf Weiss, whose ideas inspired us for this research
Period biol, Vol 97, No 1, 1995
or