Betulin and betulinic acid: triterpenoids derivatives with a powerful biological potential
TLDR
The aim of this review is to comprehensively summarise the potential of betulin and betulinic acid, both in vitro and in vivo, including previous studies of anti-cancer activity of the compounds, with listed cancer cell types susceptible to therapy.Abstract:
Betulin, a pentacyclic triterpene and a plant pentacyclic triterpene metabolite, can be found in large quantities in the outer bark of the birches (Betula, Betulaceae). Betulinic acid, obtained by betulin oxidation, is also abundantly present in nature. Both compounds show a wide spectrum of biological and pharmacological properties, such as anti-HIV, anti-inflammatory, and, considered the most important, anti-cancer. Although the specific mechanism of action of betulin against malignant cells is still a subject of detailed research, the activity of betulin acid has been linked to the induction of the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. As this process occurs with the sparing of non-cancer cells, and the induction of apoptosis can occur under conditions in which standard therapies fail, both substances seem as promising experimental anti-cancer drugs. The aim of this review is to comprehensively summarise the potential of betulin and betulinic acid, both in vitro and in vivo. The discovery, structure, organic synthesis and derivatives forming were shortly described. Also, the potential molecular mechanisms of action and numerous medical applications of betulin and betulinic acid were presented, including previous studies of anti-cancer activity of the compounds, with listed cancer cell types susceptible to therapy.read more
Citations
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Narasimha M Beeraka,Surya P. Sadhu,SubbaRao V. Madhunapantula,Rajeswara Rao Pragada,Andrey A. Svistunov,Vladimir N. Nikolenko,Vladimir N. Nikolenko,Liudmila M. Mikhaleva,Gjumrakch Aliev +8 more
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Targeting mitochondrial ion channels for cancer therapy
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Tetracyclic and Pentacyclic Triterpenes with High Therapeutic Efficiency in Wound Healing Approaches.
Roxana Ghiulai,Oana Janina Roşca,Diana Antal,Marius Mioc,Alexandra Mioc,Roxana Racoviceanu,Ioana Macasoi,Tudor Olariu,Cristina Dehelean,Octavian Marius Creţu,Mirela Voicu,Codruţa Şoica +11 more
TL;DR: The current review aims to summarize the main results of in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies conducted on lupane, ursane, oleanane, dammarane, lanostane and cycloartane type triterpenes as potential wound healing treatments.
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A Review on Preparation of Betulinic Acid and Its Biological Activities.
TL;DR: A review of the preparation of betulinic acid and its pharmacological activities can be found in this paper, in order to provide a reference for the research and utilization of the drug.
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Immunomodulatory properties of triterpenes.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors highlight the efficacy of triterpenes in light of the available literature evidence regarding the immunomodulatory properties of Triterpenes, one of the secondary metabolite groups of medicinal plants.
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