Viscum coloratum

Other Names

Chinese mistletoeColored mistletoeHu Ji ShengHujishengKorean mistletoeSangshangjishengViscum album subsp. coloratum Kom.Viscum album subsp. coloratum KomarovViscum album var. coloratum (Kom.) OhwiViscum album var. lutescens MakinoViscum album var. rubroaurantiacum MakinoViscum alni-formosanae HayataViscum articulatum Miq.Viscum coloratum (Kom.) NakaiViscum coloratum f. lutescens (Makino) Kitag.Viscum coloratum f. rubroaurantiacum (Makino) Kitag.Viscum coloratum var. alni-formosanae (Hayata) IwataViscum coloratum var. alniformosanae (Hayata) IwataViscum coloratum var. lutescens (Makino) MiyabeViscum coloratum var. rubroaurantiacum (Makino) MiyabeViscum magnificum Koidz.Viscum moniliforme Wight & Arn.槲寄生

Synopsis

Viscum coloratum: A Comprehensive Reference

1. Identity and Botanical Description

Accepted Name and Synonyms

Viscum coloratum (Komar.) Nakai is the accepted scientific name, described by authors Han Di, Congcong Shen, Shengyu Zhang, Yanhong Wang, and Feng Guan in a 2025 comprehensive review published in Biomolecules. It carries two botanical synonyms: Viscum album var. coloratum (Kom.) Ohwi, primarily distributed in South Korea, Japan, and North Korea, and Viscum album subsp. coloratum Kom., mainly found in Japan. The species belongs to the family Santalaceae (formerly placed in Viscaceae), genus Viscum. There are approximately 70 species of Viscum, of which 11 species and 1 variety are found in China and distributed in most provinces.

Common Names and Pharmacopoeial Status

V. coloratum was first recorded as Sangshangjisheng in the ancient Chinese medical book Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica, a name meaning that it was originally found parasitic on mulberry trees. In contemporary Chinese it is commonly referred to as Jisheng (mistletoe) or Chinese mistletoe. The Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China contains only one species, V. coloratum, which currently serves as the predominant medicinal species in the marketplace. V. coloratum was formally included in the 2020 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China (ChP 2020).

Natural Source, Morphology, and Habitat

V. coloratum can carry out photosynthesis by itself, and its roots can be specialized into parasitic roots, so that it can directly connect with the xylem ducts of the host and obtain water and inorganic salts from it. Mistletoe is an evergreen semiparasitic shrub that is located on the upper branches and trunks of Quercus, Betula, Populus, and Pinus.

In China, V. coloratum is mainly distributed in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Gansu Province, Fujian Province, Zhejiang Province, Guizhou Province, and other regions, except Xinjiang, Tibet, Yunnan, and Guangdong. Outside China, it is found in the Russian Far East, North Korea, Japan, and elsewhere.

Varieties

There are two varieties of plants depending on the color of the fruit: Viscum coloratum f. lutescens and Viscum coloratum f. rubroaurantiacum, which are equally medicinal.

Preparations and Dosage Forms

The history of pharmaceutical investigation indicates that Viscum coloratum (Kom.) Nakai and its small molecular compounds are used to treat rheumatism arthralgia and for cardiovascular protection. Many commercial preparations based on Viscum album L. and Viscum coloratum (Kom.) Nakai were developed and some prospective clinical trials conducted. Preparations used in research include aqueous decoctions, ethanolic extracts (ethyl acetate fractions, n-butanol fractions), polysaccharide isolates (designated VCP1, VCP2, VCP3), and flavonoid-enriched fractions (VCF).

2. Traditional and Historical Use

China: Ancient Texts and Classical Medicine

V. coloratum has a long history of medicinal use since ancient times; it was first recorded as Sangshangjisheng in the ancient Chinese medical book Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica, meaning it was originally found parasitic on mulberry trees. In the records of MingYi BieLu of the Northern and Southern dynasties, the medicinal value of V. coloratum was gradually revealed, including treating wounds and relieving pain, and it was pointed out that V. coloratum mainly grew on mulberry trees.

In the Northern and Southern dynasties, the Notes on the Book of Bencao Jing Jizhu described in detail the morphology of parasites on mulberry for the first time, and its characteristics were consistent with the morphology of V. coloratum in modern botany, providing key evidence for confirming its identity. The Xinxiu Bencao of the Tang Dynasty not only documented the morphology and ecological habits of V. coloratum, but also described its symbiotic relationship with birds that facilitate seed dispersal.

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, V. coloratum is bitter in flavor and neutral in nature, pertains to the Liver Meridian and the Kidney Meridian, and is mainly used for lumbar and knee pain, rheumatism and paralysis, fetal restlessness, and blood leakage from the fetus.

It is used in treating rheumatism and paralysis, lumbar and knee soreness, weakness of the muscles and bones, excessive leakage of menstruation, leakage of blood in pregnancy, restlessness of the fetus, dizziness and vertigo.

Ethnic and Regional Use

Minorities use Viscum coloratum (Kom.) Nakai as traditional Chinese medicine to treat rheumatism, arthritis, hypertension, and fetal restlessness.

International Recognition

Particularly in Europe, V. coloratum has gained significant attention in both traditional medicine and modern alternative therapies. For example, Germany and Switzerland have approved its use in adjunctive antitumor therapy. Additionally, it plays an important role in immune regulation in countries such as Japan and South Korea.

3. Key Constituents and Active Compounds

Overview of Phytochemical Diversity

To date, 111 compounds have been isolated and identified from V. coloratum, including flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, terpenoids, diarylheptanoids, alkaloids, other components, and macromolecular compounds, such as polysaccharides and lectins. Among them, flavonoids account for approximately 35% of the total compounds, phenylpropanoids account for approximately 19% of the total compounds, and terpenoids account for approximately 18%, indicating that these three types of compounds are the main active components of V. coloratum.

Flavonoids

Currently, 38 kinds of flavonoids, including flavones, flavonols, and dihydroflavonoids, have been isolated and identified in V. coloratum. The content of flavonoids is relatively abundant, including homoeriodictyol and viscumneosides (26–34). These flavonoids have multiple pharmacological effects, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor, and are recognized as pivotal mediators of the pharmacological effects of V. coloratum.

Flavonoids showed good anti-angina pectoris, antiplatelet aggregation, antioxidative, anti-hypertension, anticancer, anti-osteoporosis, and anti-HIV properties. Specific named flavonoids reported from the plant include viscutin-1, viscutin-2, and viscutin-3, which exhibit growth inhibitory activity against insect pests, and rhamnazin-3-O-β-d-glucoside and homoeriodictyol-7-O-β-d-glucoside, which have been isolated and identified from Viscum coloratum.

Phenylpropanoids

Flavonoids and phenylpropanoids together account for the largest proportion of identified compounds, representing approximately 54.4% of all compounds. Phenylpropanoids are naturally occurring aromatic compounds derived from the shikimate/phenylpropanoid pathway; their role in the pharmacological activity of V. coloratum includes contributions to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, consistent with the known bioactivities of this compound class.

Polysaccharides

V. coloratum is one of the active medicinal plants, and its active components, especially polysaccharides, have been shown to exhibit bioactivity. Three purified polysaccharide fractions designated VCP1, VCP2, and VCP3 have been studied in detail.

Lectins

Korean mistletoe lectin, produced by Viscum album coloratum (KMLC), interacts with galactose and N-acetylgalactosamine and induces apoptosis in cancer cells while exerting immunomodulatory effects via NK cell induction; KMLC's antitumor properties result from enhanced NK cell cytotoxicity via perforin upregulation. KMLC also induces apoptotic pathways in two hepatoma cancer cell lines — SK-Hep-1 (p53 positive) and Hep3B (p53 negative) — independent of p53 and p21 signaling cascades.

Other Compound Classes

Active components identified across Viscum species, including V. coloratum, include lectins, viscotoxins, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolic acids, and polysaccharides, in relation to multiple bioactivities such as anti-cancer, anti-rheumatism arthralgia, anti-inflammation, anti-cardiovascular diseases, enhancing immunity, and reducing chemotherapy side effects.

4. Established and Proposed Mechanisms of Action

Anti-inflammatory Mechanisms

Researchers conducted pharmacological validation of the pharmacodynamic material basis using metabolomics analysis, showing that twenty-two plasma-detectable flavonoid parent compounds and their metabolites act as the core therapeutic constituents of V. coloratum against rheumatoid arthritis. Specifically, components such as the demethylated viscumneoside VI derivative demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory efficacy.

An ethanol extract of V. coloratum (VEE) significantly inhibited mast cell degranulation (IC₅₀: 93.04 μg/mL), the production of IL-4 (IC₅₀: 73.28 μg/mL), TNF-α (IC₅₀: 50.59 μg/mL), PGD₂ and LTC₄, and activation of the FcεRI signaling cascade in IgE/antigen-activated RBL-2H3 cells. Moreover, VEE not only reduced cell migration but also inhibited the expression, secretion, and/or activity of MMP-1, MMP-3, or MMP-13 in MDIM-stimulated SW1353 chondrocytes.

Anticancer / Pro-apoptotic Mechanisms

Korean mistletoe lectin (Viscum album L. coloratum agglutinin) elicited apoptosis in SK-Hep-1 (p53-positive) and Hep3B (p53-negative) human hepatocarcinoma cells through p53- and p21-independent pathways, by down-regulation of Bcl-2 and telomerase and up-regulation of Bax functioning upstream of caspase-3 in both cell lines.

Flow cytometry analysis showed that the VCP2 polysaccharide fraction delayed the cell cycle in the G1 phase and induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells, a result possibly due to increased expression of p21Waf1/Cip1 and Cyclin D and decreased expression of Cyclin E and CDK4. The increased expression of Bad, Smac, and Caspase-3, and the decreased expression of Bcl-XL and XIAP, may explain the induction of apoptosis in VCP2-treated HepG2 cells.

Chinese mistletoe lectin-1 (CM-1) can induce apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells through down-regulation of miR-135a/b expression and up-regulation of expression of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene, leading to reduced activity of Wnt signaling. Many studies show pro-apoptosis effects when certain dosages of mistletoe lectins are given, while other concentrations produce anti-apoptotic consequences.

Cardiovascular Mechanisms

Viscum coloratum flavonoids (VCF) have been demonstrated to produce a variety of biological actions, and an accumulating line of evidence supports the view that VCF may exert protective effects on the cardiovascular system. In a rat model of arrhythmia induced by aconitine, VCF significantly and dose-dependently increased the dosage of aconitine required to induce arrhythmia. Electrophysiological experiments revealed that VCF shortened the action potential duration (APD) through inhibition of the L-type calcium current (ICa-L).

V. coloratum is known for its uses in improving blood circulation, treating cardiovascular diseases such as angina pectoris and arrhythmia, and contains active components like dihydroflavonoids that exhibit platelet-activating factor antagonism and coronary artery expansion effects.

Antiviral Mechanisms

A study found that VCP1, VCP2, and VCP3 (polysaccharide fractions of V. coloratum) have obvious inhibitory effects on HBV-DNA replication. Using PQ-PCR to detect the effects of VCP on HBV-DNA, the results showed that VCP significantly inhibited HBV-DNA replication, with a maximum inhibitory rate of 28.192% ± 0.021%; the inhibitory effect on HBsAg and HBeAg secretion was highest at 5.676% ± 0.012% and 4.880% ± 0.010% respectively at a concentration of 10 mg/mL. All three experimental results were concentration-dependent, indicating that VCP may be an antiviral agent.

Bone Metabolism (Osteoporosis) Mechanisms

In an ovariectomized mouse model simulating postmenopausal osteoporosis, oral administration of the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) component of V. coloratum at 50 or 100 mg/kg for 6 weeks significantly improved bone parameters and inhibited the decrease in cancellous bone mineral density (BMD) caused by ovariectomy. The BMD of ovariectomized rats in the EtOAc-100 group was 203 ± 19 mg/cm³, in the EtOAc-50 group was 151 ± 27 mg/cm³, and in the 17β-estradiol group was 198 ± 51 mg/cm³. The effect of oral EtOAc was superior to that of 17β-estradiol in terms of bone strength and improved compression strength and cortical bone thickness without the adverse effects of uterine weight gain. This study was the first to show that the ethyl acetate component of V. coloratum improves bone metabolism by inhibiting osteoclast activity without estrogen-related side effects.

5. Scientific Evidence by Area of Use

5.1 Rheumatoid Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Inflammation

Evidence level: Preclinical (animal and in vitro); no published human clinical trials specific to V. coloratum identified in this review.

One study demonstrated a marked decrease in joint inflammation scores and digital swelling measurements in a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) murine model, indicating that an ethanol extract of V. coloratum (EVC) effectively mitigates arthritic symptoms while maintaining an excellent safety profile with no observed adverse effects. Subsequent metabolomics-based pharmacological validation showed that twenty-two plasma-detectable flavonoid parent compounds and their metabolites act as the core therapeutic constituents of V. coloratum against rheumatoid arthritis, with the demethylated viscumneoside VI derivative demonstrating significant anti-inflammatory efficacy.

In vitro, the ethanol extract of V. coloratum (VEE) was tested in an in vitro model of mast cell-mediated osteoarthritis, evaluating its effect on IgE/antigen-activated mast cells and mast cell-derived inflammatory mediator-stimulated chondrocytes. The anti-allergic effect of VEE was evaluated by degranulation, inflammatory mediators, and FcεRI signaling cascade, while the anti-osteoarthritic action was evaluated by cell migration and MMP expression in SW1353 cells. The conclusion was that VEE possesses both anti-allergic and anti-osteoarthritic properties. These findings are preliminary and require replication in clinical settings.

5.2 Cancer and Tumor Biology

Evidence level: In vitro and animal model studies; very limited human clinical data specific to V. coloratum.

In one study, three purified polysaccharide fractions from V. coloratum (VCP1, VCP2, VCP3) were tested against hepatic HepG2 cells and colorectal Caco2 cells for 48 hours using a CCK-8 assay. All three fractions inhibited HepG2 and Caco2 cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, showing stronger inhibitory ability against HepG2 cells. VCP2 showed the strongest inhibitory ability against HepG2 cells, with treatment at 100 μg/mL causing nearly a 50% reduction in cell viability.

Clinical trials evaluating mistletoe extracts reported a decrease of adverse events due to conventional cancer therapies, with enhanced survival and no adverse interactions with the antitumor agents being applied. Others, however, do not strongly support mistletoe lectin extracts as antitumor products or adjuvant therapeutics in cancer. It should be noted that most such clinical evidence derives from the European species Viscum album, and high-quality, randomized controlled clinical trials specifically using V. coloratum in human cancer populations have not been identified in the peer-reviewed literature surveyed here.

A wide range of biological activities has been demonstrated in the compounds of V. coloratum, such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antioxidant effects, and they are clinically used in conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, lung cancer, and arrhythmia. This statement, from the 2025 review, refers largely to use patterns in East Asian clinical contexts and should not be interpreted as meaning that rigorously controlled clinical evidence has been established for each of these indications.

5.3 Cardiovascular Disease and Arrhythmia

Evidence level: Animal model and in vitro electrophysiology; limited human clinical data directly for V. coloratum.

In a rat model of arrhythmia induced by aconitine, V. coloratum flavonoids (VCF) significantly and dose-dependently increased the dosage of aconitine required to induce arrhythmia. Electrophysiological experiments revealed that VCF shortened action potential duration through inhibition of the L-type calcium current (ICa-L). This study was in animal and cellular models only; human clinical data for VCF specifically were not identified.

The pharmaceutical investigation record indicates that V. coloratum and its small molecular compounds are used to treat rheumatism arthralgia and for cardiovascular protection. For the related species Viscum album, favorable cardiovascular effects including antihypertensive and vasorelaxant activity have been observed, and nitric oxide (NO) pathway upregulation has been proposed as the underlying mechanism, with NO also playing an important role in the pathophysiology of heart failure.

5.4 Antiviral Activity (Hepatitis B)

Evidence level: In vitro cell culture only.

A study found that polysaccharide fractions VCP1, VCP2, and VCP3 have obvious inhibitory effects on HBV-DNA replication. A CCK-8 kit was used to detect the proliferation of HepG2.2.15 cells, showing V. coloratum had a certain inhibitory effect on proliferation. PQ-PCR detected that VCP significantly inhibited replication of HBV-DNA, with a maximum inhibitory rate of 28.192% ± 0.021%; the inhibitory effect on HBsAg and HBeAg secretion was highest at 5.676% ± 0.012% and 4.880% ± 0.010% at a concentration of 10 mg/mL. The experimental results were concentration-dependent. No human clinical data on V. coloratum for hepatitis B have been identified in the sources reviewed.

5.5 Bone Metabolism and Osteoporosis

Evidence level: Preclinical animal study.

A study found that the ethyl acetate extract of V. coloratum has a significant effect on inhibiting osteoporosis. In vivo, oral administration of the EtOAc component at 50 or 100 mg/kg for 6 weeks in an ovariectomized mouse model significantly improved bone parameters and inhibited the decrease in cancellous bone BMD caused by ovariectomy. The BMD of ovariectomized rats in the EtOAc-100 group was 203 ± 19 mg/cm³, in the EtOAc-50 group was 151 ± 27 mg/cm³, and in the 17β-estradiol group was 198 ± 51 mg/cm³. The effect of oral EtOAc was superior to that of 17β-estradiol in bone strength and improved compression strength and cortical bone thickness without adverse effects of uterine weight gain. This was the first study to show that the ethyl acetate component of V. coloratum improves bone metabolism by inhibiting osteoclast activity without estrogen-related side effects. No human clinical data were identified.

5.6 Antioxidant Effects

Evidence level: In vitro and animal models.

Researchers used ESR technology to detect the antioxidant capacity of V. coloratum, showing that mistletonone has a scavenging effect on hydroxyl radicals and superoxide radicals, and that VCP (polysaccharide fractions) has a significant antioxidant effect. Pharmacological studies have further identified a spectrum of bioactive properties in mistletoe, including antioxidant effects, underscoring its potential in modern therapeutic application.

5.7 Immunomodulation

Evidence level: In vitro.

Korean mistletoe lectin (KMLC), produced by Viscum album coloratum, exerts immunomodulatory effects via NK cell induction, and its antitumor properties result from enhanced NK cell cytotoxicity via perforin upregulation. This has been documented in cell culture and animal models. Large, rigorous clinical trials specific to V. coloratum immunomodulation in humans have not been identified in the sources surveyed.

6. Body Systems and Health Areas

Musculoskeletal system: Rheumatism, paralysis, lumbar and knee soreness, weakness of muscles and bones.
Cardiovascular system: Improving blood circulation, treating cardiovascular diseases such as angina pectoris and arrhythmia, containing dihydroflavonoids that exhibit platelet-activating factor antagonism and coronary artery expansion effects.
Immune system: Enhancing immunity and reducing the side effects of chemotherapy.
Oncology (adjunctive): Germany and Switzerland have approved its use in adjunctive antitumor therapy.
Reproductive/obstetric: Excessive leakage of menstruation, leakage of blood in pregnancy, restlessness of the fetus.
Neurological: Dizziness and vertigo as listed traditional indications.
Skeletal/bone metabolism: Preclinical evidence for inhibition of osteoclast activity and improvement of bone mineral density as described above.
Hepatic/antiviral: In vitro inhibition of HBV-DNA replication by polysaccharide fractions.

7. Dosage Forms and Dosages Reported in Studies

The following dosages derive exclusively from identified published research sources. They represent doses used in specific experimental contexts, not recommended therapeutic doses.

VCP polysaccharide fractions (in vitro, hepatocellular carcinoma): All three purified fractions (VCP1, VCP2, VCP3) inhibited HepG2 cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner; VCP2 at 100 μg/mL caused nearly a 50% reduction in HepG2 cell viability.
VCP polysaccharide fractions (in vitro, HBV): Inhibitory effect on HBsAg and HBeAg secretion was highest at a concentration of 10 mg/mL.
EtOAc extract (in vivo, osteoporosis mouse model): Oral administration of the EtOAc component at 50 or 100 mg/kg for 6 weeks in an ovariectomized mouse model significantly improved bone parameters.
Ethanol extract VEE (in vitro, mast cell model): VEE inhibited mast cell degranulation with IC₅₀ of 93.04 μg/mL; IL-4 production with IC₅₀ of 73.28 μg/mL; TNF-α with IC₅₀ of 50.59 μg/mL.

No standardized human clinical dosage for V. coloratum preparations has been identified in the peer-reviewed literature or the pharmacopoeial sources surveyed. The ChP 2020 monograph provides official guidance for the Chinese market, but detailed dosage specifications from that source were not retrievable in the present search.

8. Safety Considerations

Toxicity of Alkaloids and Lectins

Alkaloids, lectins, and other chemical components present in V. coloratum may induce toxicity due to excessive intake or accidental ingestion. However, there are few reports on the toxicology of V. coloratum, and there is a lack of studies on the toxicity of V. coloratum with known in vitro or preclinical activity. It is suggested that further studies on the toxicology of V. coloratum should be conducted in the future.

Dose-Dependent Lectin Effects

Extracts of lectins from mistletoe plant species have been well studied due to their widespread effectiveness on a variety of neoplastic cells, yet they are among the more controversial lectins when regarding cancer treatment. Many studies show pro-apoptosis effects when certain dosages of mistletoe lectins are given, while other concentrations produce anti-apoptotic consequences. This bidirectional, dose-dependent behavior underscores the importance of dose precision.

Safety Profile in Animal Anti-Arthritic Studies

In the CIA murine model study, the ethanol extract of V. coloratum (EVC) maintained an excellent safety profile with no observed adverse effects at the doses employed. This finding is from an animal study and does not establish human safety.

Osteoporosis Model: No Estrogen Side Effects

The effect of oral EtOAc from V. coloratum was superior to that of 17β-estradiol in terms of bone strength, and improved compression strength and cortical bone thickness without the adverse effects of uterine weight gain. This is a preclinical observation.

Overall Toxicological Knowledge Gap

According to the reports, alkaloids, lectins, and other chemical components present in V. coloratum may induce toxicity due to excessive intake or accidental ingestion. However, there are few reports on the toxicology of V. coloratum, and there is a lack of studies on the toxicity of V. coloratum with known in vitro or preclinical activity. It is suggested that further studies on the toxicology of V. coloratum should be conducted in the future.

Commercial Preparations: Quality and Consistency

The safety, significant efficacy, and controllable side effects of Viscum album L. preparations were constantly confirmed, despite quality control and in vivo exposure studies being more deeply conducted in Viscum coloratum (Kom.) Nakai. Moreover, some of its active compounds can be totally biosynthesized. The quality control basis for V. coloratum preparations is still under active development.

References

Health Conditions

Health conditions that Viscum coloratum may help support.

No conditions available.

Body Systems

Body systems that Viscum coloratum may help support.

No body systems available.