CAPITULO II ANÁLISIS FORMAL
ANÁLISIS FORMAL “HÉCTOR”
1University of veterinary medicine, Košice, The Slovak Republic, [email protected] 2The Pharmaceutical Faculty of the UVP, Brno, The Czech Republic
ABSTRACT
White mistletoe can be used for the therapy both in people and also in animals. Its use is advantageous for the therapy of GIT, cardiovascular, tumorous diseases and at some other risk diagnoses & states. It would be useful if also various research veterinary workplaces, as well as veterinary practice were engaged in the study of Viscum album. Experiences following from this study could effectivly contribute to the good quality and success of various disease treatments.
INTRODUCTION
White mistletoe, Viscum album (V.A.) is semi-parasiting on the deciduous tree branches (15-17) by haustorias that penetrate under the bark and they branch in the host wood. It settles most often on poplars with wide top, on willows, white birches, maples, oaks, lindens and fruit trees, (especially on apple and pear trees). In Europe occurs V.A. L., in Asia it is Korean V.A. var. coloratum), and in USA Phoradendron serotinus and P.
flavescens. It is takeing water and minerals from plant, but it itself produces organic agents also due to the
activity of chlorophyll.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The tops of Visci albi herba are most often collected, esp. in winter months, but they can be collected during the whole year. It is dried in bunches in well-ventilated rooms, at the temperature of 45 0C & the dried drug is
typical with its bitter taste and its effect is preserved for three years. More industrially produced preparations (1-9) contain them (Helixor: M from apple trees; A from fir trees and P from pine trees; Eurixor; Isodor®; Isorel®; fermented water extract is known under the trade name Iscador® for humans).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
V.A.L contains: choline that acts as a vitamin regulator, acetylcholine – neurotransmitter, aminobutyric acid – nutrient regulator, histamine – autacoid of smooth muscle, flavonoids – cofactorial regulators, saponins – glycoside surfactant and stimulant, triterpenes – oil effectors, alcaloids – cytotoxic effect, viscotoxin basic peptides – apoptosic cytostatic drug (10-14), polysaccharides galacturonan, arabinogalactan – immunomodulating effect, glycoprotein I, II, III lectins – immunomodulating inhibitors of tumour cells, Vester proteins – complex basic protein with immunomodulating & cancerostatic effect, waxes, oils and others. Lectins are cytotoxic glycoproteins, which are capable to agglutinate erythrocytes & are also able to react with isolated timorous cells. They are known under the name of viscumin or agglutinin. Viscotoxins are polypeptides composed of 46 amino acids that damage cellular membranes. They belong to the group of thionines; their structure is similar to that of snake toxins and also causes similar effects on the muscular contractions, induction of hypotension, bradycardia & negative inotropic effect on cardiac cells of animals. Leaves and twigs of V.A.L contain polysaccharides esterified – galacturonan and berries contain arabinolactane with immunomodulating and antitumourous activities. In vivo application of polysaccharides to mice, which were exposed to gamma radiation, increased the period of survival, after administration 15 minutes before radiation. The extracts are used at following risk indications: cardiovascular system - hypertension, tachycardia, arteriosclerosis, disorders of blood circulation; immune system - immunodeficiency, immunosuppression, tumours, AIDS; GIT system - lazy intestines and stomach tumours; pancreas diseases - tumours, diabetes mellitus; liver diseases - tumours; haematopoietic organs - leukaemia
and haemorrhagic diathesis; neural system - especially epilepsy and neuroses; locomotory system - arthrosis, spondylosis, chronic diseases of joints; urogenital system - tumours, sterility, abortions; respiratory system – tumours; skin – inflammations & tumours. In animals attention is paid mainly to the immunostimulating and cytotoxic effects of V.A.L. for the treatment of different tumorous diseases. 2/3 of cases exhibit remission or reduction of the size of tumours or pathological symptoms. It is recommended to combine chemotherapy with V.A. The use of V.A. can help to reach longer survival of patients. In Europe (18-24) are used the liquid extracts of V.A. in the form of s.c. injections (also intrapleural, i.v., intratumourous & into the vicinity of the tumour). The best results are reported at solid tumours before and after surgical and radiating therapy (10–14 days before operation helps to prevent the onset of metastases and improve recovery). V.A. is also used in advanced stages, at inoperable tumours (urinary bladder, stomach, intestines, genitals) and skin. Duration of the treatment is different, but at complete removal of the tumours it may be finished after months. A liquid form of drug is prepared from V.A. in SR. The infusion can be obtained for example so that 4 teaspoons of crushed top are poured with 1 L of boiling water (15-17). After 0.5 h of infusion (at macerates longer) and cooling it is recommended to administer to large animals 2x a day, half litre of infusion (or more). Medium- large animals obtain 2–3 x a day from 5 to 8 soupspoons, and small animals 2x a day 2–4 teaspoons of the extract. The dosage depends on the size of patients and seriousness of the health status. In the literature, however, also other procedures for preparation of V.A. extracts and dosage for animals are described. V.A. can be also toxic (alkaloids and viscotoxin) as for people as for the animals, esp. after eating its berries. Symptoms of intoxication are: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, shivers, fever, hypotension, bradycardia, miosis or even mydriasis, several anaphylaxis has been recorded after use of V.A. parenterally. At the oral use of the plant and its berries the pathological attacks, coma and death have been recorded, too. Intoxications are rare, and when they occur it is recommended symptomatic treatment.
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