Introduction
Betulinic acid is a naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpenoid which has anti-retroviral, anti-malarial, and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as a more recently discovered potential as an anticancer agent, by inhibition of topoisomerase. It is found in the bark of several species of plants, principally the white birch (Betula pubescens) from which it gets its name.
Main Functions
1. Adaptogenic and immunomodulating activities
2. Antioxidant and antihypoxic activities
3. Hepatoprotective, detoxic, hypolipidemic activities
4. Anti-inflammatory and antiallergic activity
5. Antimutagen and anticancer activities
6. Antiviral and antituberculous activity
7. Temoleptic activity
Applications
Also Betulinic acid was found active against cancer, several forms of herpes and even AIDS. It has also proven to have anti-inflammatory, anti-HIV and anti-malarial powers as well as showing cytotoxicity towards a number of tumor cell lines.
