Ligaria cuneifolia (R. et P.) Tiegh. (Loranthaceae), the “Argentine mistletoe”: An old remedy for modern diseases

Abstract

Ligaria cuneifolia (L. cuneifolia) (Ruiz & Pav.) Tiegh (Loranthaceae), the “Argentine mistletoe,” is a hemiparasite species largely used in folk medicine that has been regarded as a substitute for the “European mistletoe,” Viscum album L. (Santalaceae), for its putative activity of decreasing high blood pressure. L. cuneifolia fractions tested in different animal models have shown a wide spectrum of beneficial biological effects, such as decreasing plasma cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as vasoactive, immunomodulatory, cytostatic, and antioxidant properties. Given that quercetin derivatives, catechins, and proanthocyanidins of different polymerization degrees are the main components, these flavonoids could be responsible for exerting these actions. Moreover, L. cuneifolia could be an efficient therapeutic alternative to tackle the underlying mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of noncommunicable diseases. This chapter presents a comprehensive work on L. cuneifolia’s chemistry and its relationship with its health-promoting effects.