Comprehensive review on betulin as a potent anticancer agent

Area of Science:

• Phytochemistry
• Pharmacology
• Oncology

Background:

• Plant-derived compounds are vital in cancer treatment and prevention.
• Resistance to current natural compounds necessitates novel therapeutic agents.
• Betulin (BE), a triterpene from birch bark, exhibits significant biological activities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the anticancer and chemopreventive potential of Betulin (BE).
• To analyze in vitro and in vivo studies on BE's efficacy.
• To elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of BE's action.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing studies on Betulin (BE).
• Comparative analysis of doses and tumor lines in previous research.
• Focus on cellular and molecular mechanisms of BE's antineoplastic activity.

Main Results:

• Betulin (BE) and its derivatives demonstrate specific activity against cancer cells.
• Low cytotoxicity of BE towards normal cells is observed.
• BE exhibits broad anticancer and chemopreventive potential.

Conclusions:

• Betulin (BE) represents a promising candidate for novel anticancer drug development.
• Understanding BE's mechanisms can optimize its therapeutic application.
• Further investigation into BE's derivatives may enhance its efficacy and specificity.