Title:Immunopharmacological Activity of Betulin in Inflammation-associated Carcinogenesis
VOLUME: 18 ISSUE: 5
Author(s):Anja Schwiebs* and Heinfried H. Radeke
Affiliation:Institute of General Pharmacology and Toxicology, Immune Pharmacology, Pharmazentrum Frankfurt/ZAFES, Clinic of the Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Institute of General Pharmacology and Toxicology, Immune Pharmacology, Pharmazentrum Frankfurt/ZAFES, Clinic of the Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main
Keywords:Pentacyclic triterpene, betulin, dendritic cell, inflammation-associated carcinogenesis, cytostatic, immunomodulation.
Abstract:This review highlights the multiple properties of the birch bark-derived pentacyclic triterpene betulin
with special focus on its pharmacological activity in cancer and inflammation. While less well characterized
compared to its hydrophilic derivative, betulinic acid, it exhibits potent anticancer activity described in many publications.
Indeed, underinvestigated are its immunomodulatory functions in inflammatory diseases that appeared to
enhance innate immune cell activities in an adjuvant-like fashion towards an interleukin-12 driven antitumor immunity.
Herein, we like to emphasize the simultaneous and dual function of betulin on the basis of recent investigations
of the tumor microenvironment and enlighten the potential use of betulin in the control of inflammation-associated
carcinogenesis.
