Betulin  (Synonyms: Trochol)

Betulin (Trochol), is a sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP) inhibitor with an IC₅₀ of 14.5 μM in K562 cell line.

IC50: 14.5 μM (SREBP, K562 cell), 74.1 μM (SREBP, HeLa cell), 17.1 μM (SREBP, GOTO cell)^[1], 21.09 μM (SREBP, 181P cell), 20.62 μM (SREBP, HeLa cell)^[2]

Betulin (BE) displays a broad spectrum of biological and pharmacological properties, among which the anticancer and chemopreventive activity attract most of the attention. BE has been shown to elicit anticancer properties by inhibiting cancer cells growth. BE has exhibited quite a different range of its antiproliferative activity, depending on cancer cells type, from a weak inhibition of cell proliferation in human erythroleukaemia cell line (K562) to a strong inhibition in human neuroblastoma cells (SK-N-AS), where the effect has been most pronounced. Additionally, BE has also been found to express significant cytotoxicity against primary cancer cells cultures isolated from tumour samples obtained from ovarian, cervical carcinoma, and glioblastoma patients, where the IC₅₀ values have ranged from 2.8 to 3.4 μM, being significantly lower, when compared with established cell lines^[1]. The cytotoxic activity of crude birch bark extract and purified betulin and betulinic acid towards human gastric carcinoma (EPG85-257) and human pancreatic carcinoma (EPP85-181) drug-sensitive and drug-resistant (daunorubicin and mitoxantrone) cell lines are compared. Significant differences in sensitivity between cell lines depending on the compound used are shown, suggesting that both betulin and betulinic acid can be considered as a promising leads in the treatment of cancer^[2].

MedChemExpress (MCE) has not independently confirmed the accuracy of these methods. They are for reference only.

Betulin could improve glucose intolerance and modify basal learning performance. Treatment with betulin significantly restores SOD activity and decreased MDA content in hippocampus. Betulin also markedly reduces the contents of inflammatory cytokines in serum and hippocampus. Furthermore, administration of BE effectively upregulated the expressions of Nrf2, HO-1 and blocked the phosphorylations of IκB, NF-κB. In summary, BE might exhibit protective effect on cognitive decline in STZ-induced diabetic rats through HO-1/Nrf-2/ NF-κB pathway^[3].

MedChemExpress (MCE) has not independently confirmed the accuracy of these methods. They are for reference only.

442.72

C₃₀H₅₀O₂

473-98-3

Solid

White to off-white

C=C(C)[C@@H]1CC[C@]2(CO)CC[C@@]3(C)[C@]4(C)CC[C@@]5([H])C(C)(C)[C@@H](O)CC[C@]5(C)[C@@]4([H])CC[C@]3([H])[C@]21[H]

Room temperature in continental US; may vary elsewhere.

* Please refer to the solubility information to select the appropriate solvent. Once prepared, please aliquot and store the solution to prevent product inactivation from repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Storage method and period of stock solution: -80°C, 6 months; -20°C, 1 month. When stored at -80°C, please use it within 6 months. When stored at -20°C, please use it within 1 month.

• [1]. Król SK, et al. Comprehensive review on betulin as a potent anticancer agent. Biomed Res Int. 2015;2015:584189.  [Content Brief]

  [2]. Drag M, et al. Comparision of the Cytotoxic Effects of Birch Bark Extract, Betulin and Betulinic Acid Towards Human Gastric Carcinoma and Pancreatic Carcinoma Drug-sensitive and Drug-Resistant Cell Lines. Molecules. 2009 Apr 24;14(4):1639-51.  [Content Brief]

  [3]. Ma C, et al. Protective effect of betulin on cognitive decline in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Neurotoxicology. 2016 Dec;57:104-111.  [Content Brief]