Study was performed by counting cells with chromosomal aberrations in C57Bl/6 mice. Bark dry extract was given perorally in doses of 50, 150, 450, and 1500 mg/kg. Mutagens dioxidine and cyclophosphamide were injected intraperitoneally in doses of 200 and 20 mg/kg, respectively. Bark dry extract in doses of 150 and 1500 mg/kg did not possess cytogenetic activity. Bark dry extract in doses of 50, 150, and 450 mg/kg significantly decreased the cytogenetic effect of mutagens under various regimens of treatment with the preparation (single combined administration, 5-day pretreatment, and 5-day combined administration). Our results indicate that bark dry extract possesses antimutagenic properties.

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Birch bark dry extract (BBDE) containing at least 70% betulin and betulin alone were compared with the reference drugs Suprastin and Claritin for their antiallergenic action. It is established that BBDE and betulin reduce by half the systemic anaphylactic reaction in guinea pigs immunized with ovalbumin from chicken egg white, their action being comparable with that of Suprastin in mild and medium anaphylactic shock. The course of BBDE administration per os or i.p. leads to a significant decrease in the content of IgE antibodies to ovalbumin in mice of various strains immunized in different regimens. The effect of BBDE on anaphylactic contraction of isolated guinea pig ileum samples was evaluated and showed no direct action upon the H1-receptors. Studies on models of pseudoallergenic reaction to concanavalin A in mice and carragenan-induced paw edema in rats showed that the anti-inflammatory action of BBDE is comparable with that of Suprastin and Claritin and is more pronounced than the effect of betulin.