Betulinic Acid: Prospective Cytostatic Agent

Authors

  • J. Patocka Department of Toxicology, Military Medical Academy, Hradec Kralove and Department od Radiology, Faculty of Health and Social Care, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice,
  • M. Stiborova Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague

Abstract

Betulinic acid, a pentacyclic triterpene of the lupane type, is a cytotoxic agent for malignant melanoma. It was identified as a selective inhibitor of melanoma inducing apoptosis by a direct effect on mitochondria independent of accumulation of wild-type p53 protein and independent of death-inducing ligand/receptor systems such as CD95. Mitochondrial perturbations on treatment with betulinic acid resulted in the release of soluble apoptogenic factors such as cytochrome c or alternative reading frame from mitochondria into cytosol, where they induced activation of caspases. Betulinic acid may be a promising new agent in the treatment of neuroectodermal tumors including neuroblastoma.

Published

2004-05-15

How to Cite

Patocka, J., & Stiborova, M. (2004). Betulinic Acid: Prospective Cytostatic Agent. Chemické Listy, 98(4). Retrieved from http://chemicke-listy.cz/ojs3/index.php/chemicke-listy/article/view/2146

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