Description

Extracts from European mistletoe (Viscum album) have been used in alternative cancer treatments for nearly a century, and the extracts have modest antimutagenic properties. The dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium americanum) and V. album are from the same family and share similar characteristics. Both are plant-plant parasites, taking water and minerals from their hosts. However, it remains unknown as to whether A. americanum extracts are also antimutagenic. The objective of this research is to determine if extracts of A. americanum have antimutagenic properties when tested against some standard mutagens. Methanol extraction of A. americanum’s fruits and stem were conducted, and the extracts were tested against histidine dependent Salmonella typhimurium strains via the Ames test, a standard method of detecting mutagenicity/antimutagenicity. The S. typhimurium strains contain different mutations in assorted genes in the histidine operon and are more easily back mutated than others in the presence of mutagens. The increased S. typhimurium growth can then be an indicator of increased genetic mutations that resulted in histidine reversions. The same test was conducted with modifications to test for antimutagenic activity. This research revealed modest A. americanum antimutagenic properties similar to V. album; however, the results were not statistically significant and difficult to get replicates. This result is a first for the Arceuthobium genus. Future research into this field could find more concrete evidence into the potential for the plant.