A pilot study on oral treatment of equine sarcoid with mistletoe extract (Viscum album L.)

There are many therapeutic options for equine sarcoid (ES). Unfortunately, these are not satisfactory and often lead to recurrences. An RCT study on the use of a pine mistletoe injection preparation (PMP) showed astonishing results. The treatment group showed significantly higher cure and remission rates than the placebo group. However, repeated injections may lead to treatment refusal. The present study aimed to compare injection application with oral administration of PMP. An experimental group (EG) of 10 equids was treated orally with one vial TIW for 15 weeks, followed by continuous updates within one year. The setup was the same as in the previous RCT study. The EG was 3-10 years old, horses had between 1 and 10 ES. In only one horse the sarcoids continued to grow, in three the number of sarcoids decreased, five horses and one donkey were completely cured.

The results were compared to 20 placebo-treated horses from the previous RCT study. Both groups showed no significant differences before PMP treatment (mean±standard deviation: number of ES placebo: 5.3±3.2, PMP: 5.0±3.1; surface ES placebo: 3.8±2.1, PMP: 4.7±2.6). The results show a significant reduction in number and surface area of the ES in horses orally treated with PMP (number of ES: placebo:+0.2±2.5; PMP: -2.3±2.1; surface area decline/months: placebo:+0.0145±0.248; PMP: -0.234±0.220). These results indicate that oral application of PMP may be effective in the treatment of ES.

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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
16. November 2023