Common Names: African Mistletoe, Eastern Nigeria Mistletoe
Local Names: Nigeria: Igbo: Nbu-nnunu; Yoruba: Afomo; Hausa: kauchi
Species ID: NMP-204 | wfo-0000367115

Kingdom: Plantae

Clade: Tracheophytes

Clade: Angiosperms

Clade: Eudicots

Order: Santalales

Family: Loranthaceae

Genus: Loranthus

Species: L. micranthus

Binomial Name: Loranthus micranthus Linn.

Synonyms: Tapinanthus bangwensis (Engl. & K.Krause) Danser, Tapinanthus dodoneifolius (DC.) Danser, Viscum micranthum (Linn.) Kuntze

Loranthus micranthus is a hemiparasitic shrub, attaching to host trees via haustoria. Key features include:

·       Stems: Greenish-brown, branched, woody at the base, 30–100 cm long

·       Leaves: Evergreen, opposite, elliptical to ovate, 2–8 cm long, 1–4 cm wide, leathery, glossy green

·       Flowers: Small, tubular, 5–10 mm long, yellowish-green to red, in axillary or terminal inflorescences, blooming in the dry season (November–March)

·       Fruit: Spherical berries, 5–8 mm in diameter, white to pale pink when ripe, with a sticky seed dispersed by birds

Loranthus micranthus is widespread across tropical Africa, from Senegal to Uganda and south to Angola. It thrives in:

·       Habitats: Savannas, forests, plantations, and urban gardens

·       Host Trees: Citrus spp., Cola acuminata, cocoa (Theobroma cacao), mango (Mangifera indica), and ornamental trees

·       Climate: Warm, humid, with rainfall of 1,000–2,000 mm annually, temperatures of 20–35°C

·       Elevation: Sea level to 1,500 m

Loranthus micranthus , commonly known as African mistletoe, is a parasitic plant widely used in traditional African medicine for its extensive therapeutic properties. It is especially valued for its antihypertensive, antidiabetic, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities. Different parts of the plant, mainly the leaves and sometimes the stem, are used in decoctions or infusions to treat high blood pressure, diabetes, epilepsy, infections, cancer, and inflammatory conditions. Its medicinal potency is known to vary depending on the host tree it grows on. Phytochemical studies have identified key compounds such as flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, saponins, and terpenoids, which are believed to contribute to its pharmacological effects. Although widely used in traditional practices, more rigorous clinical and toxicological studies are needed to confirm its safety and efficacy for standardized medicinal applications.

·       Antihypertensive: Leaf infusions lower blood pressure in rats (20% reduction at 200 mg/kg), used in Nigeria (Edem & Usoh, 2009).

·       Antidiabetic: Methanol extracts reduce glucose in diabetic rats (40% at 200 mg/kg), used in Ghana (Obatomi et al., 1994).

·       Immunomodulatory: Increases splenocyte proliferation (60% at 100 µg/mL), used in Nigeria for immune support (Omeje et al., 2011).

·       Antimicrobial: Used in Ghana for wounds.

·       Antioxidant: Flavonoids scavenge DPPH radicals (EC₅₀ 8 µg/mL), used in Senegal for oxidative stress (Hlophe & Bassey, 2023).

·       Anti-inflammatory: Used in Nigeria for arthritis.

⚠  Toxicity Profile: No acute toxicity, high doses may cause nausea or allergic reactions. Caution advised in pregnancy and autoimmune conditions due to immune stimulation

·       Cultural: Used in Igbo rituals for protection and fertility

·       Economic: Sold in markets for herbal remedies

·       Agricultural Impact: Can reduce host tree vigor, requiring pruning

·       Ecological: Supports bird populations via seed dispersal

• Edem, D. O., & Usoh, I. F. (2009). Biochemical changes in Wistar rats on oral doses of mistletoe (Loranthus micranthus). American Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 4(3), 87–91.

• Gill, L.S. (1992) Ethnomedicinal Uses of Plants in Nigeria. UNIBEN Press, Benin City, 275.

• Hlophe, S., & Bassey, K. (2023). Phytochemical profiling, and antioxidant potentials of South African and Nigerian Loranthus micranthus Linn.: The African mistletoe exposé. Plants, 12(10), 2016.

• Obatomi, D. K., Bikomo, E. O., & Temple, V. J. (1994). Anti-diabetic properties of the African mistletoe in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 43(1), 13–17. DOI: 10.1016/0378-8741(94)90111-2

• Omeje, E. O., Osadebe, P. O., Nworu, C. S., Nwodo, J. N., Obonga, W. O., Kawamura, A., ... & Proksch, P. (2011). A novel sesquiterpene acid and an alkaloid from leaves of the Eastern Nigeria mistletoe, Loranthus micranthus with potent immunostimulatory activity on C57BL6 mice splenocytes and CD69 molecule. Pharmaceutical Biology, 49(12), 1271-1276.

• Osadebe, P. O., & Ukwueze, S. E. (2004). A comparative study of the phytochemical and antimicrobial properties of the Eastern Nigerian species of African mistletoe (Loranthus micranthus) sourced from different host trees. Journal of Biological Research and Biotechnology, 2(1), 18–23.

• PubMed - Review on Loranthus micranthus

• Springer - Effects on Diabetic Rats

• Catechin-7-O-rhamnoside
• Catechin-3-O-rhamnoside
• 3-Methoxy Quercetin

Ogechukwu, O. E., Ogoamaka, O. P., Kawamura, A., Hassan, A., Debbab, A., Okechukwu, E. C., ... & Peter, P. (2012). Three-(-) catechin-O-rhamnosides from the Eastern Nigeria Mistletoe with potent immunostimulatory and antioxidant activities. Journal of Biomolecule Resources and Therapy, 1(1).