Antitumor effects of Viscum album L. on Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma In vivo

Abstract

Viscum album L. is a parasitic plant that grows on various trees, commonly known as European mistletoe. In the present study, the antitumor effects of mistletoe have been assessed. The model of choice was Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC), which was inoculated in Swiss female mice. The Viscum album (VA) therapy was applied before and after EAC inoculation, and the results were both compared to EAC inoculated alone and with doxorubicin treated groups. In EAC injected animals, VA significantly increased the WBC count and the granulocytes number; while in the animals receiving VA before EAC administration, the plant extract seems to provide a lesser effect. The antiproliferative effect of VA was stronger in pretreated group, manifested by a lower cellular concentration, and a higher percentage on non-viable tumor cells.