ABSTRACT
Currently, lectins have acquired a great interest on the part of investigators due to the properties that they possess. Lectins are proteins present in plants, animals, and microorganisms. The main characteristic of this kind of protein is its ability to join sugar in a specific way. This ability made it a great tool in the treatment and diagnostics of diseases like cancer, and it has been used in another illness like diabetes or pains. Mistletoe lectins (MLs) can be considered as powerful treatments of different disorders and diseases. It has been reported the negative effects of lectin for the digestive system; however, the wide properties of lectins in cancer diseases can be a potential alternative for these diseases, which can be used as a dietary supplement. Due to mistletoe grows in pines and trees, it is considered as a hemiparasitic plant and it causes losses of money. However, mistletoe acquires nutrients like vitamins and minerals from its host, which made it rich in compounds 94of industrial interest. Although MLs from Europe are the most studied, American Mistletoe is an area for researches due to the low papers about lectin from this material and the greatest application of lectins. MLs represent an alternative option for using in different diseases. The purpose of this chapter is to analyze the potential of MLs as bioactive compounds and their current application.
