Phytotherapy research : PTR
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Mistletoe preparations are frequently used by cancer patients because of their ability to stimulate the immunity and to improve the quality of life. Moreover mistletoe and its active substances (especially lectins) possess cytotoxic effect on various cancer cell lines. However, only little is known about its interaction with anticancer drugs. ⋯ Their combination led to synergism only at those concentrations that were highly cytotoxic alone. Both substances (alone and in combination) induced DNA fragmentation in Jurkat cells. In conclusion, an aqueous extract prepared from mistletoe tops exerted cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing effects on Jurkat cells alone as well as in combination with DOXO.