It’s a cold December night. The air is filled with laughter and hymns, and the houses sparkle with festive lights. Among the seasonal decorations, sprigs of mistletoe are hung over doorways, inviting warm exchanges of affection.
For centuries, mistletoe has symbolized love, peace, and healing and has been an important part of Christmas traditions. But beyond its romantic reputation, mistletoe contains a surprising scientific story that offers hope in the fight against cancer.
European mistletoe (Latin name) viscam album) has been evaluated for over 2000 yearsespecially regarding its medicinal properties. Many of its uses, including the treatment of diabetes, pain, inflammation, arrhythmias, and high blood pressure, are recognized in traditional medicine in Europe, Asia, and Africa, and it is still used in some countries today.
Mistletoe is also famous as a symbol of good luck and prosperity. It was once considered a magical plant in pagan traditions and used in rituals. celtic druid.
Mistletoe is a source of many compounds that are thought to have medicinal properties. Mistletoe also contains proteins called lectins, which bind to carbohydrates on cells and aid in communication between them.
Galectins, a type of lectin, play interesting roles such as: cancer biology. Galectins occur naturally in the human body and regulate cell communication and the immune system. But in the case of cancer, they often act as accomplices.
Some galectins help tumors evade immune detection, while others support cancer cell growth and spread. These abilities make galectins a double-edged sword. health and illness.
Mistletoe becomes an unexpected hero here. Scientists have discovered that extracts from mistletoe stimulate the immune system and increase its activation. Recognize and destroy cancer cells.
Like an ally in battle, it activates important immune cells to fight cancer more effectively. This immune-boosting effect is especially valuable if your body’s defenses are weakened by cancer.
Even more noteworthy is the ability of mistletoe to induce apoptosis. cell self-destruction. Cancer cells often bypass this process, which is critical to suppressing cell proliferation.
Mistletoe lectins appear to selectively target cancer cells, causing their death while sparing healthy tissue. This precision makes mistletoe an interesting candidate for cancer therapy against many targets.
Old and new treatments
In Europe, mistletoe extract has been used as a complementary treatment for cancer for nearly a century. What makes mistletoe particularly appealing is its potential role in integrative cancer treatment.
Scientists are studying how its extracts can be used in conjunction with new treatments such as immunotherapy, which also aims to strengthen the body’s immune response. This marriage of nature and modern science opens up new possibilities in the fight against cancer, and mistletoe can become a symbol of hope in many ways.
As we gather under the mistletoe this Christmas season, it’s worth pausing to consider its deeper meaning. Traditionally associated with love and joy, this humble plant has the power to inspire and heal.
Its parasitic nature, which derives its nutrients from host trees, parallels its transformation into a therapeutic tool that harnesses its power to combat one of humanity’s greatest challenges.
This Christmas, mistletoe is more than just a backdrop for romance and holiday cheer. It reminds us of nature’s quiet resilience and its ability to surprise us with unexpected gifts.
Beneath its green leaves lies a story of scientific discovery and human ingenuity, and how even the simplest traditions can inspire us to something much greater: healing, renewal, and life itself. It emphasizes how it can be connected to hope.
Lokesh JoshiStokes Professor of Glycoscience; galway university
This article is republished from conversation Under Creative Commons License. please read original article.
