Effects of mistletoe extract on markers of platelet activation and aggregation

BACKGROUND: Viscum album preparations are extensively used complementary therapy in cancer and are shown to exert antitumor activities which involve cytotoxic properties, induction apoptosis, inhibition and several other immunomodulatory mechanisms. AIM: The aim this study to investigate effects extract on well as functions, an important factors in immunomodulation cancers metastatic potencial and angiogenesis in tumors. METHODS: The effect of different concentrations extract on agonist-induced platelet activation markers and their aggregation with leukocytes was examined in the blood healthy subjects (n=6) using flow cytometry. Effects on LPS -induced activation markers was determined in blood healthy subjects well as on THP-1 cell line using an ELISA essays and flow cytometry. RESULTS: Mistletoe extract significantly inhibited agonist induced P selectin expression and platelet-monocytes aggregation. Additionally, mistletoe extract exerts anti-tumor effect through stimulation TNF-a production in LPS induced monocytes activation. CONCLUSION: Obtained data demonstrate that extract was effective in modulating and monocyte functions, a part pleiotropic anticancer effect. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III 41030]