“…Intravenous injection of the b-galactoside-specific lectin ML I or its B chain isolated from mistletoe extracts into rabbits resulted in a dose-dependent increase of NK cell cytotoxicity and increased numbers of LGL [105]. Based on these studies, mistletoe preparations were standardized for optimal ML I doses Braedel-Ruoff sia, to which postoperative immunosuppression in experimental models is partly ascribed [134], various therapies are actually tested to prevent suppression of NK cell activity after cancer surgery, such as IL-2 [135], IFN-a [136], polyadenylicpolyuridylic acid [137], cimetidine [67,138], and the Japanese traditional herbal medicine, Hochu-ekki-to (TJ-41) [139], and also the TLR ligand poly-IC is under discussion [140]. In this context, mistletoe therapy is particularly interesting: Intravenous infusion of mistletoe preparations are able to enhance NK cell function [64] and to reduce surgical suppression of NK cell activity in cancer patients [83].…”