Study of the betulin enriched birch bark extracts effects on human carcinoma cells and ear inflammation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Pentacyclic triterpenes, mainly betulin and betulinic acid, are valuable anticancer agents found in the bark of birch tree. This study evaluates birch bark extracts for the active principles composition.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>New improved extraction methods were applied on the bark of <it>Betula pendula</it> in order to reach the maximum content in active principles. Extracts were analyzed by HPLC-MS, Raman, SERS and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy which revealed a very high yield of betulin (over 90%). Growth inhibiting effects were measured <it>in vitro</it> on four malignant human cell lines: A431 (skin epidermoid carcinoma), A2780 (ovarian carcinoma), HeLa (cervix adenocarcinoma) and MCF7 (breast adenocarcinoma), by means of MTT assay. All of the prepared bark extracts exerted a pronounced antiproliferative effect against human cancer cell lines. In vivo studies involved the anti-inflammatory effect of birch extracts on TPA-induced model of inflammation in mice.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The research revealed the efficacy of the extraction procedures as well as the antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory effects of birch extracts.</p