Isolation and properties of three lectins from mistletoe (Viscum album L.)

Isolation and properties of three lectins from mistletoe (Viscum album L.).

Three lectins have been isolated from an extract of mistletoe (Viscum album) by affinity chromatography on partially hydrolysed Sepharose and human immunoglobulin- Sepharose. The lectins differ in molecular weight and sugar specificity (lectin I, mol.wt. 11500, D-galactose-specific; lectin II, mol.wt. 60000, both D-galactose- and N-acetyl-D-galactosamine-specific; lectin III, mol. wt. 50000, N-...

Antioxidant Activity of European Mistletoe (Viscum album)

Inhibition of protein synthesis by a toxic lectin from Viscum album L. (mistletoe).

1. The haemagglutinating and toxic lectin from Viscum album L. (mistletoe) inhibits protein synthesis in a lysate of rabbit reticulocytes, with an ID50 (concentration giving 50% inhibition) of 2.6 microgram/ml. This effect is enhanced (ID50 0.21 microgram/ml) if the lectin is reduced with 2-mercaptoethanol. 2. The lectin inhibits protein synthesis also in BL8L cells in culture. Inhibition occur...

Induction of apoptosis of endothelial cells by Viscum album: a role for anti-tumoral properties of mistletoe lectins.

BACKGROUND Viscum album (VA) preparations consist of aqueous extracts of different types of lectins of VA. Mistletoe lectins have both cytotoxic and immunomodulatory properties that support their study for the development for cancer therapy. However, the mechanisms of the anti- tumoral properties in vivo of mistletoe lectins are not fully understood. Because endothelial cells (EC) play a pivota...

Paediatric medulloblastoma cells are susceptible to Viscum album (Mistletoe) preparations.

BACKGROUND Medulloblastoma constitute more than 20% of all paediatric brain tumours and are the most common malignant brain tumours in children. Adjuvant chemotherapy has seen a strong increase in the use of complementary medicine for cancer treatment. Evidence for cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of Viscum album (Mistletoe) in vitro is available, however, no data concerning paediatric tumours, ...