Pentacyclic Triterpene Distribution in Various Plants – Rich Sources for a New Group of Multi-Potent Plant Extracts

Abstract

Pentacyclic triterpenes are secondary plant metabolites widespread in fruit peel, leaves and stem bark. In particular the lupane-, oleanane-, and ursane triterpenes display various pharmacological effects while being devoid of prominent toxicity. Therefore, these triterpenes are promising leading compounds for the development of new multi-targeting bioactive agents. Screening of 39 plant materials identified triterpene rich (> 0.1% dry matter) plant parts. Plant materials with high triterpene concentrations were then used to obtain dry extracts by accelerated solvent extraction resulting in a triterpene content of 50 ‑ 90%. Depending on the plant material, betulin (birch bark), betulinic acid (plane bark), oleanolic acid (olive leaves, olive pomace, mistletoe sprouts, clove flowers), ursolic acid (apple pomace) or an equal mixture of the three triterpene acids (rosemary leaves) are the main components of these dry extracts. They are quantitatively characterised plant extracts supplying a high concentration of actives and therefore can be used for development of phytopharmaceutical formulations.

Anticlastogenic Effect of Eryngium foetidum L. Assessed by Erythrocyte Micronucleus Assay

“…In addition, these consumption amounts have no clastogenic effect as assessed using clastogen induced micronucleated peripheral blood of mice. Our results are consistent with the previous study data indicating that mice which consumed extract from EF rich in triterpenoids didn't show any toxic effect (Jäger et al, 2009). This result suggested that high consumption of EF does not generate adverse effect on human health.…”

A systematic review of pentacyclic triterpenes and their derivatives as chemotherapeutic agents against tropical parasitic diseases

“…PTs are synthesized mainly by the cyclization of oxidosqualene and squalene and exist in their free form or as components of saponins (glycosides) in many tropical and subtropical plants (Xu et al 2004;Jäger et al 2009). The compounds have attracted attention due to their remarkable biological activities.…”

Recovery of betulinic acid from plane tree (Platanus acerifolia L.)

“…The presence of betulinic acid at concentrations up to 3 % (30 mg/g) in the external dried bark of plane tree (Platanus acerifolia L.) was previously reported [1,16,17]. These works focused in the extraction of betulinic acid from the bark of plane tree through conventional solid-liquid extraction with methanol, chloroform and heptane.…”

“…Triterpenic acids are secondary plant metabolites that are widespread in plants, mainly located in the peel, leave and stem bark [1]. They are part of the chemical family of isoprenoids, owning polycyclic structures of thirty carbon atoms, and presenting very low solubility in water and hydrophilic solvents.…”

“…Betulinic acid (3β, hydroxy-lup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid) is a triterpenic acid which can be isolated from various botanical sources, including clove (Syzygium aromaticum), Lamiaceae herbs such as rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and java tea (Orthosiphon stamineus), and the bark of several betula species (birch trees), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) and plane (Platanus acerifolia) trees [1,[3][4][5][6][7][8].…”