Planta Med 2006; 72(15): 1389-1395
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-951723
Original Paper
Pharmacology
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Physical, Chemical and Pharmacological Characterization of a New Oleogel-Forming Triterpene Extract from the Outer Bark of Birch (Betulae Cortex)

Melanie Laszczyk1 , Sebastian Jäger1 , Birgit Simon-Haarhaus2 , Armin Scheffler1 , Christoph M. Schempp2
  • 1Carl Gustav Carus-Institut, Niefern-Öschelbronn, Germany
  • 2Department of Dermatology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
Parts of this study were presented at the 4th Congress on Phytotherapy, October 6 - 8, 2005, Berlin, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Received: May 9, 2006

Accepted: September 12, 2006

Publication Date:
07 November 2006 (online)

Abstract

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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Christoph M. Schempp

Department of Dermatology

University of Freiburg

Hauptstrasse 7

79104 Freiburg

Germany

Phone: +49-761-974-911

Fax: +49-761-6829

Email: cschempp@haut.ukl.uni-freiburg.de