Betulinic acid has been connected to various types of anti-cancer effects. The exact mechanisms of its cytotoxic activity have not been elucidated yet, but several potential pathways have been identified that may lead to programmed cell death in cancer cells. BA has been shown to induce apoptosis (type I programmed cell death), e.g. by mitochondrial membrane permeabilization, or by modulation of NF-κB activity. Moreover, BA is able to promote autophagy in certain types of cancer cells (type II programmed cell death), for example by inhibiting the PI3K–AKT–mTOR pathway. Which pathway eventually leads to programmed cell death is believed to depend on cancer and cell type. BA has also been reported to downregulate and inhibit certain matrix metalloproteinases which are essential for angiogenesis and metastasis, thereby slowing cancer progression. Lastly, betulinic acid is believed to have a chemosensitizing effect, which may be important to overcome resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapy. Remarkably, betulin and betulinic acid do not seem to affect normal cells, which has been demonstrated in various cell lines. 

Lupane pentacyclic core structure (A), structures with numbering of Betulin (B) and Betulinic acid (C).

Additionally, betulins have been shown to exhibit anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-malarial, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, anti-fibrotic, anti-nociceptive, immunomodulatory and anxiolytic properties. Due to these properties, various formulations containing betulin, betulinic acid or derivatives thereof have entered clinical trials. One example is Bevirimat, an anti-HIV drug derived from betulinic acid. Therefore, betulins are interesting compounds for pharmaceutical research and development. Due to their lipophilic nature, natural betulins have a rather low water solubility and bioavailability. Consequently, many derivatives have been developed that increase water solubility and pharmacokinetics. Other modifications allow for the selective attachment of targeting ligands or other moieties. 

Betulinic acid may promote programmed cell death via multiple pathways.

Common composition of a carrier for targeted drug delivery.

Iris Biotech now offers natural betulin and betulinic acid, as well as an array of various derivatives that exhibit increased water solubility, or allow for regioselective functionalization. Among our range of betulins are completely novel compounds that have not been described in the literature so far.

→ Find the full range of our betulin derivatives on our website in the category Life Sciences

LSB3001 Betulin
LSB5008 Betulinic acid
LSB2015 Betulinic acid N-(propargyl)amide
LSB7020 28-(Poc-amino)betulin
LSB1016 N-(2-Azidoethyl)betulonamide
LSB3040 2,3-Indolobetulin
LSB2017 Betulinic glycine amide

References:

• Betulin and its derivatives as novel compounds with different pharmacological effects; S. Amiri, S. Dastghaib, M. Ahmadi, P. Mehrbod, F. Khadem, H. Behrouj, M. R. Aghanoori, F. Machaj, M. Ghamsari, J. Rosik, A. Hudecki, A. Afkhami, M. Hashemi, M. J. Los, P. Mokarram, T. Madrakian and S. Ghavami; Biotechnol Adv 2019; 38 doi:10.1016/j.biotechadv.2019.06.008
• Betulinic acid chemosensitizes breast cancer by triggering ER stress-mediated apoptosis by directly targeting GRP78; Y. Cai, Y. Zheng, J. Gu, S. Wang, N. Wang, B. Yang, F. Zhang, D. Wang, W. Fu and Z. Wang; Cell death & disease 2018; 9: 636. doi:10.1038/s41419-018-0669-8
• Overaccumulation of p53-mediated autophagy protects against betulinic acid-induced apoptotic cell death in colorectal cancer cells; S. Wang, K. Wang, C. Zhang, W. Zhang, Q. Xu, Y. Wang, Y. Zhang, Y. Li, Y. Zhang, H. Zhu, F. Song, Y. Lei and Y. Bu; Cell death & disease 2017; 8: e3087. doi:10.1038/cddis.2017.485
• Synthesis and cytotoxicity of Baylis-Hillman template derived betulinic acid-triazole conjugates; P. Suman, A. Patel, L. Solano, G. Jampana, Z. S. Gardner, C. M. Holt and S. C. Jonnalagadda; Tetrahedron 2017; 73: 4214-4226. doi:10.1016/j.tet.2016.11.056
• Synthesis and cytotoxic evaluation of novel amide–triazole-linked triterpenoid–AZT conjugates; T. A. Dang Thi, N. T. Kim Tuyet, C. Pham The, H. Thanh Nguyen, C. Ba Thi, H. Thi Phuong, L. Van Boi, T. Van Nguyen and M. D’hooghe; Tetrahedron Letters 2015; 56: 218-224. doi:10.1016/j.tetlet.2014.11.069
• Betulinic Acid for cancer treatment and prevention; S. Fulda; Int J Mol Sci 2008; 9: 1096-107. doi:10.3390/ijms9061096
• Anti-AIDS agents 38. Anti-HIV activity of 3-O-acyl ursolic acid derivatives; Y. Kashiwada, T. Nagao, A. Hashimoto, Y. Ikeshiro, H. Okabe, L. M. Cosentino and K. H. Lee; J Nat Prod 2000; 63: 1619-22. doi:10.1021/np990633v