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.
Keywords: Pentacyclic triterpene, betulin, dendritic cell, inflammation-associated carcinogenesis, cytostatic, immunomodulation.
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
Title:Immunopharmacological Activity of Betulin in Inflammation-associated Carcinogenesis
Volume: 18 Issue: 5
Author(s): Anja Schwiebs*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,Germany
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.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Schwiebs Anja *, Radeke H. Heinfried , Immunopharmacological Activity of Betulin in Inflammation-associated Carcinogenesis, Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry 2018; 18 (5) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1871520617666171012124820
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1871520617666171012124820 |
Print ISSN 1871-5206 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5992 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Induction of cell death in cancer cells by modulating telomerase activity using small molecule drugs
Telomeres are distinctive but short stretches present at the corners of chromosomes and aid in stabilizing chromosomal makeup. Resynthesis of telomeres supported by the activity of reverse transcriptase ribonucleoprotein complex telomerase. There is no any telomerase activity in human somatic cells, but the stem cells and germ cells undergone telomerase ...read more
Role of natural compounds as anti anti-cancer agents
Cancer is considered the leading cause of worldwide mortality, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2022. Cancer outcome can be improved through an appropriate screening and early detection and through an efficient clinical treatment. Chemotherapy remains an important approach in treatment o f several types of cancers, even though ...read more
Signaling and enzymatic modulators in cancer treatment
Cancer accounts for nearly 10 million deaths in 2022 and is considered the leading cause of worldwide mortality. Cancer outcome can be improved through an appropriate screening and early detection and through an efficient clinical treatment. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery are the most important approach for the treatment of several ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Thymoquinone Lipid Nanoparticles Cut the Gordian Knots of Depression via Neuroprotective
BDNF and Downregulation of Neuro-inflammatory NF-κB, IL-6, and
TNF-α in LPS Treated Rats
Current Drug Metabolism Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Agents of Immunomodulation and Neuroprotection
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Inhibition of Inflammation by a p38 MAP Kinase Targeted Cell Permeable Peptide
Medicinal Chemistry Upregulated Long Non-coding RNA ALMS1-IT1 Promotes Neuroinflammation by Activating NF-κB Signaling in Ischemic Cerebral Injury
Current Pharmaceutical Design Arachidonic Acid Derivatives and Neuroinflammation
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Editorial [Hot topic: Targets of Research in the Metabolic Syndrome (Guest Editor: Lindsay Brown)]
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Role of PPAR in Cardiovascular Diseases
Recent Patents on Cardiovascular Drug Discovery Uveitis in Horses, Rats and Man: What Do We Learn from Our Pets?
Current Immunology Reviews (Discontinued) Neutralizing Endogenous VEGF Following Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury Modulates Microvascular Plasticity but not Tissue Sparing or Functional Recovery
Current Neurovascular Research Stem Cells as a Potential Therapeutic Option for Treating Neurodegenerative Diseases
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Novel Therapeutic Agents for Resistant Gram-Positive Infections
Current Drug Therapy Immunomodulatory Properties of Antibiotics
Current Molecular Pharmacology Targeting of Peripherally Expressed Pain-Related Molecules in Injury- Induced Chronic Neuropathic Pain
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Autoimmune Diseases and Infections: A Controversial Relationship
Current Immunology Reviews (Discontinued) Oncogenic MicroRNAs in the Genesis of Leukemia and Lymphoma
Current Pharmaceutical Design Why Should Psychiatrists and Neuroscientists Worry about Paraoxonase 1?
Current Neuropharmacology Meet Our Editorial Board Member
Current Chemical Biology AMPK - Activated Protein Kinase and its Role in Energy Metabolism of the Heart
Current Cardiology Reviews Evaluation and Management of Atrial Fibrillation
Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders-Drug Targets Emerging Peptide Therapeutics for Inflammatory Diseases
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology