Betulin

Name: Betulin
Synonym: betulinol
CAS: 473-98-3
Molecular Formula: C30H50O2
Molecular Weight: 442.72
Botanical Source: Birch bark and leave
Major Functions:
Betulinic acid and its synthetic analogues exhibit anti-malarial, anti-inflamatory and anti-HIV activity as well as showing cytotoxicity towards a number of tumour cell lines. Even though betulin derivatives are most widely studied for their anticancer activity, also the anti-HIV effect is quite well characterized and it has been demonstrated that betulins can inhibit HIV entry to T cells by binding to the gp41, an HIV protein needed for the invasion of the virus into the cell.