TORONTO – Mistletoe may not just be good for stealing a kiss during the holiday season. According to researchers in Australia, the festive yet parasitic plant can act as a possible therapy for those with colon cancer.
Scientists from the University of Adelaide found that extract from the mistletoe plant species called Fraxini can act against the cancer cells in colon cancer. They say they believe the finding can potentially work as an alternative to chemotherapy.
Colorectal cancer, commonly known as colon cancer, often starts in the large intestine, the rectum or in the appendix. One in 14 men and one in 18 women will develop colon cancer over the age of 50.
“Of the three extracts tested, and compared with chemotherapy, Fraxini was the only one that showed a reduced impact on healthy intestinal cells,” said lead researcher Zahra Lotfollahi. “This might mean that Fraxini is a potential candidate for increased toxicity against cancer, while also reducing potential side effects.”
Chemotherapy is effective at killing healthy cells as well as cancer cells but can result in both acute and chronic side effects. Some common side effects from chemotherapy can include pain, diarrhea, mouth sores, hair loss, nausea and vomiting.
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“Mistletoe extract has been considered a viable alternative therapy overseas for many years,” said University of Adelaide’s Professor Gordon Howarth, a Cancer Council senior research fellow. “But it’s important for us to understand the science behind it. Although mistletoe grown on the ash tree was the most effective of the three extracts tested, there is a possibility that mistletoe grown on other, as yet untested, trees or plants could be even more effective.”
Dr. Dugald Seely, a naturopathic doctor and director of research at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM), tells Global News that he would not characterize mistletoe as an alternative to chemotherapy.
“Mistletoe, as well as other natural agents, is supported by the evidence that they can provide a useful additional complementary therapy for people living with many types of cancer.”
In 2008, a review of studies in The Cochrane Library found only weak evidence that mistletoe treatment provides any benefits. Dr. Markus Horneber, the lead review author and member of the Work Group for Biological Cancer Treatment based in Nuremberg, Germany said there is much debate about whether mistletoe extract works at all in oncology therapy.
“While the plant contains several biologically active substances that could kill cancer cells, fight viruses and tune the immune system, how these substances work is still not clearly understood,” said Horneber.
Lotfollahi said that despite the results, laboratory testing is needed to further validate the research.
History of mistletoe
In early European folklore, mistletoe was considered to be a magical and scared plant. It was believed the plant would protect against poison and would bestow life and fertility. Branches of mistletoe were hung in homes to ward off evil spirits.
The practice of “kissing under the mistletoe” has also been linked to ancient Celtic and Greek rituals and is also believed to have its roots in Norse mythology. The story begins with the goddess Frigga, who made all living and nonliving things promise not to harm her son Balder, god of the summer sun. But Balder’s rival, Loki, knew Frigga had forgotten to secure a promise from the lowly mistletoe. So Loki used mistletoe to make an arrowhead and struck Balder dead with it. Frigga was eventually able to revive her son, however, and she was so overjoyed she kissed everyone passing beneath the tree where the mistletoe grew.
– With a file from The Edmonton Journal
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