Chemical‐activity‐based quality marker screening strategy for Viscum articulatum

Abstract

Viscum articulatum Burm. f. is a parasitic plant rich in flavonoids, triterpenoids, and catechins and has a high nutritional value. It has been reported that consuming V. articulatum can prevent cardiac diseases. In this study, six bioactive compounds, including catechins, triterpenoids, and phenylpropanoid glycosides, were determined in alcohol extracts of the plant using HPLC. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of three catechins, two triterpenoids, and three combination drugs were measured in cardiomyocytes, and the results showed that the anti-inflammatory activity was significantly enhanced while retaining strong antioxidant activity when epicatechin and ursolic acid were used in combination. The main quality markers epicatechin and ursolic acid were screened based on the specificity of the genuine herb and a potent synergistic effect, and the lowest limitation contents of V. articulatum which could discriminate it from some other taxonomically similar materials were accordingly determined. This self-built lowest limitation content of the two screened quality markers could quickly and accurately reflect the efficacy in terms of chemical composition and reverse the disorderly market use of nongenuine herbs or confusing species for adulteration. This study is of some significance for market regulation, drug development, and clinical medication.

The Antioxidant Activity of Mistletoes (Viscum album and Other Species)

“…Research into Asian mistletoes is limited in comparison with European mistletoe [ 21 ] but Korean mistletoe is quite an exception since it has been the object of several papers, reporting positive effects in cases of hypertension, ulcers, epilepsy, inflammation, wounds, and nephrotic disease [ 78 ]. Major evidence strongly suggests immunostimulant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activity, confirming the properties already reported for the European mistletoe [ 79 , 80 ]. Among the confirmed activities was its antioxidant ability [ 81 ], which was associated with an incremental increase in the contents of caffeic acid and lyoniresinol [ 82 ].…”