betulinic acid

A pentacyclic lupane-type triterpene derivative of betulin (isolated from the bark of Betula alba, the common white birch) with antiinflammatory, anti-HIV and antineoplastic activities. Betulinic acid induces apoptosisthrough induction of changes in mitochondrial membrane potential, production of reactive oxygenspecies, and opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pores, resulting in the release of mitochondrialapogenic factors, activation of caspases, and DNA fragmentation. Although originally thought to exhibit specific cytotoxicity against melanoma cells, this agent has been found to be cytotoxic against non-melanoma tumor cell types including neuroectodermal.and brain tumor cells.