Phoradendron liga (Gill. ex H. et A.) Eichl. (Viscaceae) used in folk medicine: anatomical, phytochemical, and immunochemical studies

• Published in: Journal of ethnopharmacology Vol. 94; no. 1; pp. 109 - 116
• Main Authors: Varela, Beatriz G, Fernández, Teresa, Ricco, Rafael A, Zolezzi, Paula Cerdá, Hajos, Silvia E, Gurni, Alberto A, Alvarez, Elida, Wagner, Marcelo L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.09.2004; Elsevier
• Subjects: Anatomical study; Argentina; Biological and medical sciences; Blotting, Western; Flavonoids; Flavonoids - isolation & purification; General pharmacology; immunochemistry; Immunogenic components; Lectin; Medical sciences; medicinal plants; Medicine, Traditional; Pharmacognosy. Homeopathy. Health food; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Phoradendron; Phoradendron - anatomy & histology; Phoradendron - chemistry; Phoradendron liga; phytochemicals; plant anatomy; Plant Extracts - chemistry; traditional medicine; Viscaceae; Argentina; Immunogenic components; SDS-PAGE; Lectin; Flavonoids; Phoradendron liga; Anatomical study; LPh; PMSF; TLC; PVP; Viscaceae; HPTLC; Folk medicine; Pharmacognosy; Flavonoid; Medicinal plant
• ISSN: 0378-8741; 1872-7573
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2004.04.027

Phoradendron liga (Gill. ex H. et A.) Eichl. is a Viscaceae widely distributed in Argentina. It has been commonly used in folk medicine as a substitute of the European mistletoe ( Viscum album L.) to decrease high blood pressure due to their external similarity. In this study, the anatomical features as well as micromolecular and macromolecular analysis of this species are reported. Anatomical study has shown that Phoradendron liga presents as anatomic features: papillous cuticle, clusters in leaves and stems, and isodiametric stone cells only in stems. The analysis of flavonoids showed that this species produces C-glycosylflavones and 3-desoxyproanthocyanidins. Protein study showed a protein pattern with components ranging from 14 to 90 kDa and the presence of related epitopes between the species was demonstrated by cross recognition using anti- Phoradendron and anti- Viscum antisera of both species by Western blot assay. In addition, a galactose specific lectin (L-Phl) was isolated form Phoradendron liga extracts. These results are part of a comprehensive project on Argentine hemiparasite species destinated to be applied to quality control of commercial samples and disclosed their potential use as a potential source for immunomodulatory compounds.