Oak mistletoe 20mg/1ml solution for injection ampoules

Mistletoe-frugivore interactions stand out as one of the classic examples of specialized and reciprocal relationships in ecology and evolutionary biology. Additionally, many theoretical advances have been made by using the interactions between mistletoes and their seed dispersers as study models. Although generally well-studied, there is no single global review on mistletoe frugivory and seed dispersal, creating an opportunity to synthesize existing knowledge, identify major gaps, and advance unresolved and new research questions. We conducted a systematic review of studies on mistletoe frugivory and seed dispersal, focusing on taxonomic, geographic, and methodological patterns, showcasing the plant perspective, which has been comparatively underappreciated relative to seed dispersers' perspective. The number of studies (n = 58) and species studied (n = 36) was proportional to the number of species per genus, although several diverse genera remain understudied. We found very few studies in the tropical rainforests and in the north temperate forests. No endangered mistletoe species (n = 58) have been studied, and only one species has been studied in urban areas. Methodologically, searching for seeds or seedlings in potential recruitment sites predominated, while tracking movements of seed dispersers with radio or GPS devices remains poorly used. Mistletoe-frugivore interactions offer excellent study models for exploring a different suite of ecological questions, yet substantial gaps persist across taxa, regions, and biomes. Future studies should prioritize rarer species, especially those threatened and endemic. Studies should also prioritize understudied biomes, such as the tropical rainforests and north temperate forests. We further believe that many unanswered research questions could be clarified using appropriate and modern methods to assess and record interactions between mistletoes and frugivores, thereby advancing the use of these systems as model frameworks for studying the ecological and evolutionary consequences of seed dispersal.

Abstract licence: CC BY

Mistletoe (Viscum album L.) has been used as complementary anticancer treatment for ~100 years. Although the clinical efficacy of mistletoe in cancer and associated survival benefits remain contested, several studies point to its effectiveness and others have reported antitumor and immunomodulatory properties. In the present review, a search was conducted for original articles reporting the outcomes of treatments for experimental animal tumors with mistletoe. The inclusion criteria were: Publication in English, from 1996 onwards and in peer-reviewed journals included in the database PubMed. The parameters analyzed were: Provenance and time of publication, rationale, methods (animal species used, mistletoe preparation, treatment protocol, tumor lineage, blinding, randomization, controls and concomitant treatments), outcomes and investigated mechanisms of action. A total of 37 studies met the inclusion criteria. The quality of the studies was adequate in the terms of sample size and use of controls, and the only animal species employed were mice and rats. However, few studies reported having performed random allocation and none reported blinding. There was wide variation in the type and preparation of mistletoe used, route of administration, regimen, tumor type and the mechanism of action assessed. A temporal trend was identified; earlier studies sought to establish the antitumor effect of mistletoe and its possible mechanisms, cytotoxicity and immunomodulation in particular, whereas the later ones tended to focus more on biologically active principles, genomics and oxidative stress. A total of 32/37 studies reported an antitumor effect, 3 of which had mixed results. A total of 2 studies did not detect any antitumor effect and a further 2 found stimulation of tumor growth in the treated groups. One study did not assess antitumor effects, investigating immunomodulation action instead. The quality of the studies was satisfactory and the majority reported positive outcomes. Nevertheless, there is a great deal of methodological heterogeneity among the studies, which precludes conclusive comparisons. Based on these results, the present authors strongly suggest developing guidelines for reporting in vivo mistletoe cancer treatment experiments.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-ND