Abstract
Viscum album (VA) preparations consist of aqueous extracts of different types of lectins of mistletoe. VA exert cytotoxic and immunomodulatory properties that may be relevant for the inhibition of tumor growth. We addressed the effects of VA preparation VA Qu FrF on growth of B16F1 melanoma implanted in mice and on proliferation and cytokine synthesis of splenocytes. In C57BL6 mice, inhibition of tumor growth by VA was associated with an enhancement of splenocyte proliferation and with an up-regulation of IL-12 secretion. In IL-12-deficient strain of mice the inhibition of melanoma growth by VA and the splenocyte proliferation were abrogated. Results from the present study strongly suggest a crucial role of IL-12 in the anti-tumor properties of VA extracts.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
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Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
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Cell Line, Tumor
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Cell Proliferation / drug effects
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Culture Media, Conditioned / chemistry
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Culture Media, Conditioned / metabolism
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Cytokines / metabolism
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Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
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Interleukin-12 / genetics*
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Interleukin-12 / metabolism
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Interleukin-12 / physiology
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Melanoma, Experimental / drug therapy*
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Melanoma, Experimental / genetics
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Melanoma, Experimental / pathology
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Mice, Knockout
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Mutation
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Phytotherapy
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Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
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Plant Extracts / therapeutic use
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Plant Lectins / pharmacology
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Plant Lectins / therapeutic use
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Spleen / cytology
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Spleen / drug effects
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Spleen / metabolism
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Viscum album / chemistry*
Substances
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Antineoplastic Agents
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Culture Media, Conditioned
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Cytokines
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Plant Extracts
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Plant Lectins
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Interleukin-12