rutine glycoside (Rf 11,39), as well as betulinic acid (Rf 12,20) identified.
Figure 9. Chromatogram of phenol acids of birch-apple juice
American scientists have patented data on pharmaceutical evaluation and in-vivo
bioavailability determination of salt forms of betulinic acid, namely, 3-0- (31, 31-
dimethyl-succinyl) of betulinic acid, N-methylglucalin salt and alkali metal salts [8].
According to the authors, pharmaceutical compositions based on betulinic acid
are used to treat AIDS infection and related diseases. It was stated about the anti-AIDS
effect of betulinic acid in 1994.
Betulinic acid has inhibitory activity against AIDS-1 replication in lymphocytic
cells. It is a selective inhibitor of human melanoma's growth, has anti-inflammatory
effect, is a promising inhibitor of non-enveloped RNA-virus ECON6, which is counted
as an agent of poliomyelitis, rhinovirus infections, etc.
According to biochemical nature, betulinic acid is classified as a plant secondary
metabolite of terpene group, triterpene type. Among the latter, they are a type of
cyclohexanoid compounds of polyprenol family. Notably, that betulaprenols of birch
and kastaprenols of horse chestnut are exemplary among them.
The main groups of these compounds originate from parent carbohydrates,
namely lupane.
Figure 10. Structural form of betulinic acid
Betulinic acid has a structural form shown at Figure 10, following name – (3β)-3-
Hydroxy-lup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid, and empirical formula – C
30
H
48
O
3
. Its molecular
weight is 456.7 (AMU).
According to physical properties, it is a white powder, which has a melting point
of 295-298°С, poorly soluble in water and very soluble in acetonitrile alcohol and other
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