viscum album extract

Viscum album extract is a preparation derived from the European mistletoe plant (Viscum album), commonly used in complementary and alternative medicine—especially in German-speaking countries—for cancer patients[1][5]. It is not approved as a pharmaceutical drug in the United States but is listed in the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States[1]. The extracts are marketed under various brand names and are typically administered by subcutaneous injection; other routes include oral and intravenous administration[1]. The primary bioactive components include mistletoe lectins (ML I-III), which bind to cell surface receptors via their B-chain and enter cells to inhibit protein synthesis through ribosome-inactivating activity of their A-chain[5]. Other constituents include viscotoxins (cytotoxic proteins), chitin-binding agglutinin (VisalbCBA), oligo- and polysaccharides, flavonoids, vesicles containing triterpene acids among others[5]. Mechanistically it may exert immunomodulatory effects—stimulating immune responses—and direct cytotoxicity against tumor cells. Additional pharmacological actions reported for Viscum album extracts include vasorelaxant effects via inhibition of calcium influx through calcium-gated channels and promotion of nitric oxide signaling pathways; possible positive ionotropic effects via β-adrenergic innervation; muscarinic receptor blockade; improvement of microcirculation; antioxidant activity; as well as potential CNS activities such as sedative or anxiolytic properties based on animal studies[3][6].

Brand names

IscadorEurixorHelixorIsorelIscucinPlenosolabnobaVISCUMIscarVysorelLektinol

Other names

viscum album L. extractEuropean mistletoe extractVAE