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Antitumoral effects of an intravesically applied aqueous mistletoe extract on urinary bladder carcinoma MB49 in mice
U Mengs1, T Schwarz, M Bulitta
1Madaus AG, Ostmerheimer Strasse 198, D-51109 Köln, Germany. u.mengs@madaus.de
Abstract:
The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of a locally applied aqueous mistletoe extract (AME) on the growth of urinary bladder carcinoma MB49 in an orthotopic murine model. On day 1, a total of 4 x 10(4) tumor cells was implanted into the bladder of female C57BL/6J mice. The animals were then randomly allocated to three groups of 13 mice each. From day 11 onwards, AME was given intravesically 3 days a week for 4 consecutive weeks at concentrations related to 30 or 300 ng bioactive mistletoe lectin (ML)/ml. The animals received a total volume of 0.1 ml. In the control group, 39% of the mice survived to the end of the scheduled study period in comparison to 69% and 85% in the groups treated with 30 or 300 ng ML/ml, respectively. At necropsy, 80% of the surviving control animals showed a visible solid bladder tumor, whereas only 56% and 18% had tumors in the treated groups. In both cases, the differences were statistically significant at the high concentration in comparison to controls (p < 0.05). A non-significant effect was observed regarding the formation of multiple metastases (40% in controls vs 33% and 18% in the treated groups). From the results, it was concluded that under the conditions described, AME shows antitumoral activity which is considered to be mainly due to the cytotoxic properties of mistletoe lectins, the main effective constituents of mistletoe extracts.
Insights
Aqueous mistletoe extract (AME) demonstrated significant antitumor activity against bladder cancer in mice. Higher concentrations of mistletoe lectin (ML) in AME reduced tumor growth and improved survival rates in an orthotopic murine model.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Natural Products
Background:
- Urinary bladder carcinoma poses a significant health challenge.
- Exploring natural compounds for cancer therapy is crucial.
- Mistletoe extracts have a history of use in complementary medicine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of aqueous mistletoe extract (AME) in treating orthotopic murine bladder cancer.
- To determine the impact of different mistletoe lectin (ML) concentrations on tumor growth and survival.
- To investigate the antitumoral mechanisms of AME.
Main Methods:
- An orthotopic murine model of urinary bladder carcinoma (MB49) was established in C57BL/6J mice.
- Mice received intravesical administration of AME at 30 or 300 ng ML/ml three times weekly for four weeks.
- Tumor incidence, survival rates, and metastasis formation were assessed at necropsy.
Main Results:
- Survival rates increased significantly in mice treated with AME (69% and 85% at 30 and 300 ng ML/ml, respectively) compared to controls (39%).
- Tumor incidence was significantly reduced in the high-concentration AME group (18%) compared to controls (80%).
- While metastasis was not significantly affected, a trend towards reduction was observed in treated groups.
Conclusions:
- Aqueous mistletoe extract (AME) exhibits significant antitumoral activity against urinary bladder carcinoma in an orthotopic murine model.
- The cytotoxic properties of mistletoe lectins (ML) are likely responsible for the observed anticancer effects.
- AME represents a potential therapeutic agent for bladder cancer, warranting further investigation.