A Review of the Bio-Activity Relationship of Mistletoes and the Leaves of their Host Trees

Abstract

An investigation into the bioactivity relationship of mistletoes and the leaves of their host trees have been carried out. The following six host trees and their mistletoes were investigated: Azadirachta indica (neem), Psidium guajava (guava), Pentaclethra macrophylla (oil-bean), Kola acuminata (cola nut), Persea americana (avocado), and Baphia nitida (cam wood). The work showed that of the six host trees and their mistletoes studied, four host trees, namely: neem, guava, cola nut and avocado had lots of significant bioactivity, while the other two host trees: oil bean and cam wood had few significant bioactivities. The study revealed that the mistletoes parasitic on the host trees with significant bioactivity possessed some of the reported activities of their host trees. While the mistletoes parasitic on the host trees with few significant bioactivities also showed less significant bioactivities. Also, it was observed from the study that some of the bioactive host trees studied possessed significant insecticidal properties. It could be inferred, that their mistletoes may also possess insecticidal properties. In conclusion, the study has established that there is a relationship between the bioactivity of host trees and the bioactivity of the mistletoes parasitic on them.

Keywords: bioactivity, Mistletoes, host tree, leaves

Nigerian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, Vol. 8 No 1 pp. 145 - 150 (September 2010)