Comparison of Antitumor Effect in Two Viscum album L. Extracts

Abstract

Viscum album L. is a parasitic plant, widely used in addition to the treatment of cancer. Mistletoe alcoholic extract and glycerine macerate were inoculated in 40 white Swiss male mice, previously inoculated with Ehrlich Ascitic Carcinoma (EAC). Animals were divided in four equal groups; first group received i.p. in the day 1, 4 and 7 - 50 mg d.s./kg b.w. Viscum album 1:1 alcoholic extract. The second group received i.p. in the day 1, 4 and 7 – 20 ml/kg b.w. Viscum album 1 to 100 glycerine extract. The third group received i.p. Doxorubicin chloride 2.5 mg/ kg b.w. in day 6 of experiment, while the last group received a placebo. Other 40 animals were injected with the same plant extracts, placebo and Doxorubicin chloride, without EAC. In EAC group only 8 from 10 animals survived in the end of the study, in the other groups all animals survived to the end. V. album alcoholic extract increased the white blood cells (WBC) as compared to control, due to granulocytes (GRA), but the most important both mistletoe extracts provided increase WBC as compared to Doxorubicin injected group. Mistletoe extracts elevated the platelets total count (PLT) in non EAC inoculated groups. The Viscum album alcoholic extract prevented the development of ascitic fluid, but it was less effective in reduction of EAC cell concentration. In conclusion, Viscum album alcoholic tincture, and glycerine macerate provided an anticancer effect; they stimulate the immune mechanisms and inhibit the tumor cells proliferation.