The acute hypoglycaemic effect of water and ethanolic extracts of three
Viscum album subspecies, ssp.
album, ssp.
austriacum, ssp.
abietis, were investigated in normoglycaemic and ...streptozotozocin-induced diabetic rats. Blood glucose level was measured according to glucose oxidase method. The antioxidant activity of these extracts was also studied in the liver, kidney and heart tissues of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats after subacute administration. In order to determine antioxidant activity of extracts, tissue MDA and GSH levels were measured by using spectrophotometric methods. All results were compared with the diabetic control groups. The findings obtained in the experiments demonstrated that European mistletoe (
Viscum album L.) subspecies possess potent antihyperglycaemic and antioxidant activity depending on host plant.
The gene space of European mistletoe (Viscum album) Schröder, Lucie; Hohnjec, Natalija; Senkler, Michael ...
The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology,
January 2022, 2022-01-00, 20220101, Letnik:
109, Številka:
1
Journal Article
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SUMMARY
European mistletoe (Viscum album) is a hemiparasitic flowering plant that is known for its very special life cycle and extraordinary biochemical properties. Particularly, V. album has an ...unusual mode of cellular respiration that takes place in the absence of mitochondrial complex I. However, insights into the molecular biology of V. album so far are very limited. Since the genome of V. album is extremely large (estimated 600 times larger than the genome of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana) it has not been sequenced up to now. We here report sequencing of the V. album gene space (defined as the space including and surrounding genic regions, encompassing coding as well as 5′ and 3′ non‐coding regions). mRNA fractions were isolated from different V. album organs harvested in summer or winter and were analyzed via single‐molecule real‐time sequencing. We determined sequences of 39 092 distinct open reading frames encoding 32 064 V. album proteins (designated V. album protein space). Our data give new insights into the metabolism and molecular biology of V. album, including the biosynthesis of lectins and viscotoxins. The benefits of the V. album gene space information are demonstrated by re‐evaluating mass spectrometry‐based data of the V. album mitochondrial proteome, which previously had been evaluated using the A. thaliana genome sequence. Our re‐examination allowed the additional identification of nearly 200 mitochondrial proteins, including four proteins related to complex I, which all have a secondary function not related to respiratory electron transport. The V. album gene space sequences are available at the NCBI.
Significance Statement
Viscum album is known for its very special life cycle, its particular biochemical composition, its unique mode of respiration and its extremely large genome. We here report the full‐length transcriptome of V. album, consisting of more than 39 000 distinct sequences, and provide new insights into secondary compound metabolism, the proteomic organization of the mitochondrial compartment and the composition of its respiratory apparatus.
Viscum album L., the European mistletoe, is a common species from the Viscaceae family. This evergreen hemiparasitic shrub grows on various trees and contains diverse, biologically active substances. ...Its chemical composition may vary depending on the time of harvest, species of the host tree and the manufacturing process. Among well-described and most active phytochemicals identified in V. album are lectins and viscotoxins, which play substantial role in cancer treatment because of their apoptotic and cytotoxic effects. Another group of compounds found in mistletoe are phenolic acids, phenylpropanoids and flavonoids with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, which decrease blood pressure. Other mistletoe components include, among others, triterpenes with cytotoxic and apoptotic properties, and phytosterols, oligo- and polysaccharides. Extracts from the plant, especially aqueous, are applied in traditional and official medicine, among others in treating hypertension or arthritis. Potentially, it can also be used as a hepatoprotective or a sedative drug.
•The transcriptome of Viscum album lacks OXPHOS complex I genes except for two.•Several alternative oxidoreductase genes are transcribed in Viscum album.•OXPHOS complex II-V genes are transcribed and ...most likely functional in Viscum album.
Mistletoes (Viscum) and close relatives are unique among flowering plants in having a drastically altered electron transport chain. Lack of complex I genes has previously been reported for the mitochondrial genome, and here we report an almost complete absence of nuclear-encoded complex I genes in the transcriptome of Viscum album. Compared to Arabidopsis with approximately 40 nuclear complex I genes, we recover only transcripts of two dual-function genes: gamma carbonic anhydrase and L-galactono-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase. The complement of genes belonging to complexes II–V of the oxidative phosphorylation pathway appears to be in accordance with other vascular plants. Additionally, transcripts encoding alternative NAD(P)H dehydrogenases and alternative oxidase were found. Despite sequence divergence, structural modeling suggests that the encoded proteins are structurally conserved. Complex I loss is a special feature in Viscum species and relatives, as all other parasitic flowering plants investigated to date seem to have a complete OXPHOS system. Hence, Viscum offers a unique system for specifically investigating molecular consequences of complex I absence, such as the role of complex I subunits involved in secondary functions.
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•Viscum album ethanol extracts have high levels of phenolic, flavonoid, and antioxidant activity.•A cheap and simple method for the synthesis of ZnO/SnO2 green nanoparticles was ...performed.•The ZnO/SnO2 green nanoparticles exhibited greatly increased visible-light photocatalytic efficiency.•The mechanism for the increased photocatalytic activity of ZnO/SnO2 green nanoparticles was propounded.•Efficient photoactivity and high stability were obtained for organics pollutant degradation.
Plants are rich sources of antioxidant compounds including phenols and flavonoids. These antioxidants are crucial elements in diet and protect the body against oxidative stress. In this study, antioxidant activity of the phenolic compounds and flavonoids of mistletoe (Viscum album), as a substituent for synthetic antioxidants, was quantitatively investigated. The plant alcoholic (ethanol) extract was used for biosynthesis of the ZnO/SnO2 composite nanoparticles that were employed for photodegradation of three organic pollutants (Congo red (CR), Biphenyl A (BPA), and tetracycline (TC)) under solar light. The photodegradation tests were performed considering the effect of pH, photocatalyst dosage, temperature, and initial concentration of the pollutants. The obtained data were analyzed by a Pseudo-first-order kinetic model. The most optimum conditions for photodegradation of the organic pollutants were found to be: 5 mg/l initial pollutant concentration, 0.5 g/l photocatalyst dosage, and acidic pH. The reusability test implied that the nanoparticles remain stable and can perform well even after 4 cycles of reuse. Conclusively, Viscum album extract offers promising antioxidant properties and allows for biosynthesis of the composite nanoparticles that can optimally photodegrade organic pollutants of wastewater under solar light.
Tensile tests and analysis of fracture surface roughness revealed that the mechanical bonding strength of mistletoe–host interfaces is age-independent. Cracks initiate along the interface at local ...strains of about 30%.
Abstract
The European mistletoe (Viscum album) is an epiphytic hemiparasite that attaches to its host by an endophytic system. Two aspects are essential for its survival: the structural integrity of the host–parasite interface must be maintained during host growth and the functional integrity of the interface must be maintained during ontogeny and under mechanical stress. We investigated the mechanical properties of the mistletoe–host interaction. Intact and sliced mistletoe–host samples, with host wood as reference, were subjected to tensile tests up to failure. We quantified the rough fractured surface by digital microscopy and analysed local surface strains by digital image correlation. Tensile strength and deformation energy were independent of mistletoe age but exhibited markedly lower values than host wood samples. Cracks initiated at sites with a major strain of about 30%, especially along the mistletoe–host interface. The risk of sudden failure was counteracted by various sinkers and a lignification gradient that smooths the differences in the mechanical properties between the two species. Our results improve the understanding of the key mechanical characteristics of the host–mistletoe interface and show that the mechanical connection between the mistletoe and its host is age-independent. Thus, functional and structural integrity is ensured over the lifetime of the mistletoe.
Inflammatory mammary carcinoma is a highly aggressive tumor that affects dogs, characterized by progressive disease and a high mortality rate. Affected dogs have diffuse swollen mammary glands with ...little demarcation between tissues, making the region firm, in the form of plaques, hot and painful on palpation with possible thickening of the skin and sero-bloody secretion. Acupuncture is considered as an adjunctive treatment modality, as it improves the quality of life of cancer patients, in addition to controlling these metabolic changes. This paper reports the case of a female dog treated with pharmacopuncture in association with the Viscum album. The animal arrived with normocardia, eupnea, pale mucous membranes and a lump in the breast region. Preoperative and imaging exams were carried out, followed by a pan-hysterectomy and partial mastectomy procedure, with sample collection for histopathological analysis. A Grade II Mixed Tumor Carcinoma was diagnosed and then the pharmacopuncture treatment with Viscum album was proposed. Sessions were held weekly for 9 months and there was an improvement in the clinical and physical aspect of the animal. The growing development of medicine associated with new treatment techniques promotes better results and favorable quality of life for animals. As a prophylactic measure of the disease, castration remains the best option, especially when used before the first heat.
El carcinoma inflamatorio de mama es un tumor muy agresivo que afecta a las hembras caninas, caracterizado por una enfermedad progresiva y una alta tasa de mortalidad. Los perros afectados presentan inflamación difusa de las glándulas mamarias con poca demarcación entre los tejidos, lo que hace que la región sea firme, en forma de placas, caliente y dolorosa a la palpación con posible engrosamiento de la piel y secreción sanguinolenta. La acupuntura se considera una modalidad de tratamiento coadyuvante, ya que mejora la calidad de vida de los pacientes con cáncer, además de controlar estos cambios metabólicos. En este trabajo se reporta el caso de una perra tratada con farmacopuntura en asociación con Viscum album. El animal llegó con normocardia, eupnea, mucosas pálidas y un bulto en la región del pecho. Se realizaron exámenes preoperatorios y de imagen, seguidos de panhisterectomía y mastectomía parcial, con toma de muestras para análisis histopatológico. Se diagnosticó un carcinoma tumoral mixto grado II y luego se propuso el tratamiento de farmacopuntura con Viscum album. Las sesiones se realizaron semanalmente durante 9 meses y hubo una mejoría en el aspecto clínico y físico del animal. El creciente desarrollo de la medicina asociado a nuevas técnicas de tratamiento promueve mejores resultados y una calidad de vida favorable para los animales.
O carcinoma inflamatório mamário é um tumor altamente agressivo que acomete cadelas, caracterizado por doença progressiva e com alta taxa de mortalidade. Os cães acometidos apresentam as glândulas mamárias difusamente edemaciadas com pouca demarcação entre os tecidos tornando a região firme, sob forma de placas, quente e dolorosa à palpação com possível espessamento de pele e secreção sero-sanguinolenta. A acupuntura é considerada como modalidade adjuvante de tratamento, pois melhora a qualidade de vida dos pacientes oncológicos, além de controlar estas alterações metabólicas. Este trabalho relata o caso de uma cadela tratada com farmacopuntura em associação ao Viscum album. O animal chegou apresentando normocardia, eupneia, mucosas hipocoradas e um nódulo na região das mamas. Foram realizados exames de imagem e pré-operatórios e posteriormente procedimento de pan-histerectomia e mastectomia parcial, com coleta de amostra para análise histopatológica. Foi diagnosticado Carcinoma em Tumor Misto Grau II e em seguida proposto o tratamento de farmacopuntura com Viscum album. Foram realizadas sessões semanalmente durante 9 meses e evidenciou-se melhora no aspecto clinico e físico do animal. O crescente desenvolvimento da medicina associado a novas técnicas de tratamento promove melhores resultados e qualidade de vida favorável aos animais.
Herbal medicine is now globally accepted as a valid alternative system of pharmaceutical therapies. Various studies around the world have been initiated to develop scientific evidence-based herbal ...therapies. Recently, the therapeutic potential of medicinal plant derived miRNAs has attracted great attraction. MicroRNAs have been indicated as new bioactive ingredients in medicinal plants. However, the stability of miRNAs during the herbal preparation process and their bioavailability in humans remain unclear.
L. (European mistletoe) has been widely used in folk medicine for the treatment of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Our previous study has indicated the therapeutic potential of mistletoe miRNAs by using bioinformatics tools. To evaluate the stability of these miRNAs, various mistletoe extracts that mimic the clinical medicinal use as well as traditional folk medicinal use were prepared. The mistletoe miRNAs including miR166a-3p, miR159a, miR831-5p, val-miR218 and val-miR11 were quantified by stem-loop qRT-PCR. As a result, miRNAs were detectable in the majority of the extracts, indicating that consumption of medicinal plant preparations might introduce miRNAs into mammals. The factors that might cause miRNA degradation include ultrasonic treatment, extreme heat, especially RNase treatment, while to be associated with plant molecules (e.g., proteins, exosomes) might be an efficient way to protect miRNAs against degradation. Our study confirmed the stability of plant derived miRNAs during herb preparations, suggesting the possibility of functionally intact medicinal plant miRNAs in mammals.
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