Betülinik Asit ve Antikanser Etkileri

Abstract

In recent years, interest in naturally occurring compounds in plants has been increasing. Due to the benefits of these compounds, various studies have been carried out for their therapeutic use in cancer treatment as well as in daily use. These studies have aimed to develop chemotherapeutics that are natural and can stimulate apoptosis due to the side effects of chemotherapeutics used in current cancer treatments. One of these compounds, betulinic acid, is lupane-type pentacyclic triterpenoid, a secondary metabolite found in the bark of various trees. Betulinic acid has strong anticancer properties as well as antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects. It performs its anticancer functions by promoting the mitochondrial apoptosis, regulating cell cycle and angiogenesis, and activating or deactivating many pathways which are important for cancer development. Molecules that directly affect mitochondria such as betulinic acid, hold great promise in preventing drug resistance that may occur in the treatment process. In addition, the fact that betulinic acid directly affects cancer cells and has no toxic effect on healthy cells makes it a potential anticancer molecule in developing chemotherapy strategies. This review aims to discuss the structural and biological properties of betulinic acid and the anticancer effects in various cancer types.