Birch bark research and development

Abstract

This review will detail progress made in the previous decade on the chemistry and bioactivity of birch bark extractive products. Current and future applications of birch bark natural products in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and dietary supplements for the prevention and treatment of cancer, HIV,and other human pathogens are reviewed. Current developments in the technology of birch bark processing are discussed. New approaches for the synthesis of potentially valuable birch bark triterpenoid derivatives are also reviewed.

Novel semisynthetic derivatives of betulin and betulinic acid with cytotoxic activity

“…IR spectra were obtained using a JASCO FT/IR-420 spectrophotometer. NMR spectra were recorder on a Bruker Digital NMR-Avance 300 apparatus and on a Bruker Digital NMR-Avance 400 apparatus in CDCl 3 (5). To a solution of compound 2 (150 mg, 0.33 mmol) and anhydrous K 2 CO 3 (115 mg, 0.83 mmol) in dry DMF (2 ml) was added methyl iodide (41 ll, 0.66 mmol).…”

“…1,2 Betulin 1 is a main component of birch bark, 3 and can be synthetically converted to betulinic acid 2 in a two-step procedure, in high yield. 4 Both 1 and 2 ( Fig.…”

New spinosin derivatives from the seeds of Ziziphus mauritiana

“…As a part of our continuing study of the chief phytotherapeutic components of traditional Chinese medicines (TCM), [17][18][19] the phytochemical investigation on the seeds of Z. mauritiana was carried on. This led to the isolation of 11 spinosin derivatives (1-11), along with 11 other known compounds (12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22). Compounds 1-3 are new acylated flavonoid C-glycosides.…”

“…Cyclopepeptide, 1,[7][8][9][10][11][12] triterpenes, 1 flavones, 1 steroids, 1,13 and aliphatic compounds 1,14 have previously been identified from the roots, barks and leaves of Z. mauritiana. Interestingly, some of these compounds showed antitumor, anti-HIV, 15,16 anti-plasmodial and anti-mycobacterial activities. 12 However, no chemical study was reported on the seeds.…”

Growth, wood density and bark thickness of silver birch originating from the Baltic countries and Finland in two Finnish provenance trials

“…Higher density provides better pulp yields, but decay is detrimental to both the pulping process and the pulp quality (Tammisola et al 1995). Trunks are debarked before pulping, but on the other hand, the content and properties of bark can be interesting also in terms of bioactive extracts, such as betulin, with beneficial pharmacological effects (Alakurtti et al 2006;Krasutsky 2006). In general, interest in the different chemical properties of bark and wood is increasing in the industries (Verkasalo et al 2017).…”