Exploring the anticancer potential of Loranthus species: a bibliometric analysis

Loranthus species, known as mistletoes, are gaining unprecedented attention as anticancer species. This review aims to explore and evaluate the anticancer potential of Loranthus species by examining their traditional Ayurvedic uses, and phytochemical composition. The methodology involved a comprehensive literature review using academic databases such as Google Scholar (32 articles), Academia (24 articles), ResearchGate (18 articles), Web of Science (45 articles), and PubMed (34 articles), employing relevant search terms to collect data. VOS Viewer software was used to analyse the information, elaborate on the analysis, such as trend line, keywords, types of articles and phytochemicals. A structured questionnaire survey was conducted with ten Ayurvedic practitioners to gather insights on the clinical use of Loranthus species. The number of publications related to mistletoe cancer treatment has shown a marked increase since the early 1990s, peaking at 38 articles in 2023, indicating growing scientific interest in this field over the past three decades. The network visualisation highlights Mistletoe’s role in cancer treatment, focusing on clinical applications, molecular mechanisms, and biochemical properties, while also emphasising its integration in Ayurvedic and traditional medicine. This review, supported by a survey of Ayurvedic practitioners in Sri Lanka, highlights the anticancer potential of Loranthus species. Traditional use confirms their value, particularly with host-specific variations noted for medicinal effectiveness. Phytochemical analysis reveals key bioactive compounds— flavonoids, polyphenols, terpenoids, and lectins—with strong antioxidant and anticancer properties. Extracts of L. micranthus, L. europaeus, and Dendrophthoe falcata show cytotoxic effects against breast, lung, cervical, ovarian, and colon cancer cells through apoptosis induction and immune modulation involving NF-κB and JAK/STAT pathways. Survey feedback stresses the need for standardization due to host-related variability and a lack of clinical trials, despite strong preclinical evidence. These findings support further research into Loranthus as a natural anticancer agent within the Ayurvedic framework.