AI Article Synopsis
- Betulinic acid, a natural compound from white birch bark, has been identified as a specific agent that can kill melanoma cells without harming healthy tissue.
- In studies with mice that had human melanoma, betulinic acid completely stopped tumor growth and triggered apoptosis (a form of programmed cell death).
- The compound is not only affordable and readily available, but it is also in preclinical development for treating or preventing malignant melanoma.
Article Abstract
As a result of bioassay-guided fractionation, betulinic acid, a pentacyclic triterpene, was identified as a melanoma-specific cytotoxic agent. In follow-up studies conducted with athymic mice carrying human melanomas, tumour growth was completely inhibited without toxicity. As judged by a variety of cellular responses, antitumour activity was mediated by the induction of apoptosis. Betulinic acid is inexpensive and available in abundant supply from common natural sources, notably the bark of white birch trees. The compound is currently undergoing preclinical development for the treatment or prevention of malignant melanoma.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nm1095-1046 | DOI Listing |
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