Planta Medica, Table of Contents Planta Med 1982; 46(12): 221-227DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-971219 Research Articles © Hippokrates Verlag Stuttgart Stimulation of Humoral and Cellular Immunity by Viscum Preparations N. Bloksma, P. Schmiermann, M. de Reuver, H. van Dijk, J. Willers Department of Immunology, Laboratory of Microbiology, State University, Utrecht, The Netherlands Recommend Article Abstract PDF Download Buy Article Abstract The immuno-adjuvanticity of fresh plant juice of Viscum album and a polysaccharide fraction isolated from the berries was studied. Both delayed hypersensitivity and antibody formation against sheep red blood cells (SRBC) were enhanced after immunization of mice with a mixture of antigen and plant juice. Polysaccharide stimulated the immune response when administered 5 minutes before the antigen. Adjuvant-active doses of plant juice but not of polysaccharide caused non-specific inflammation as measured by paw swelling. Polysaccharide inhibited the pinocytic activity of the mononuclear phagocytic system initially but stimulated later on. Plant juice stimulated only for a short time. Both preparations caused splenomegaly while polysaccharide also increased the weight of the liver. The effects are compared with the activity of the Viscum preparation IscadorR. Key Word Index Viscum album - Loranthaceae - Iscador - Adjuvanticity - Mononuclear phagocytic system - Delayed hypersensitivity - Antibody formation PDF (475 kb)
