PMID:
16077972 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Physical,
Chemical and Pharmacological Characterization of a New Oleogel-Forming
Triterpene Extract from the Outer Bark of Birch (Betulae Cortex).
Carl Gustav Carus-Institut,
Niefern-Oschelbronn , Germany .
Triterpenes are biologically active secondary
plant substances that display antimicrobial, hepatoprotective and
anti-inflammatory effects. However, the poor solubility of triterpenes in both
polar and non-polar solvents as well as expensive purification procedures have
prevented the large-scale isolation of these compounds for medicinal purposes.
Here, we describe a novel quantitative extraction method of triterpenes from
the outer bark of birch ( BETULA species) in which betulin, a lupan triterpene,
predominates. The resulting highly purified triterpene extract (TE) in the form
of a dry powder contains betulin as the major compound, but also betulinic
acid, lupeol, erythrodiol and oleanolic acid. We have found that this TE is
able to form an oleogel, thus providing an opportunity for the topical
application of pharmacologically relevant amounts of triterpenes. Furthermore,
we have investigated the TE in comparison to its major isolated compounds in
cell culture experiments with human immortalized keratinocytes and skin cancer
cells. We could demonstrate dose-dependent cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing
effects of TE and betulin. These experimental data support the notion from a
previous clinical study that TE from the outer bark of birch might represent a
new tool for the topical treatment of skin cancer and skin cancer precursors
like actinic keratoses.
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