Bioactive Properties and Pharmaceutical Potential of New World Mistletoes of the Genus Tristerix: A Review

Mistletoes of the genus Tristerix, native to South America, represent a unique group of mostly hemiparasitic plants with potential medicinal applications. This review synthesizes existing knowledge on their biological and phytochemical properties, focusing on three main species endemic to Chile: Tristerix aphyllus, T. corymbosus, and T. verticillatus. These species exhibit diverse interactions with host plants, animal pollinators, and seed dispersers, where host identity can influence their chemical profile. Around 17 metabolites have been found in flowers, fruits, and leaves from Tristerix spp., including flavonoids (e.g., quercetin, apigenin, luteolin), phenolic acids (e.g., caffeic acid; gallic acid), and alkaloids (e.g., pronuciferine and glaucine). Those have demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-tumoral properties. Despite their traditional uses in Chilean medicine for ailments such as gastric ulcers and throat infections, experimental research on Tristerix spp. remains scarce. This review highlights their bioactive potential, emphasizing the need for further investigation into their pharmacological applications, including in vivo and clinical studies.