Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2012, 13(11), 14992-15011; doi:10.3390/ijms131114992
Article

Betulin Complex in γ-Cyclodextrin Derivatives: Properties and Antineoplasic Activities in In Vitro and In Vivo Tumor Models

Codruta Şoica 1 email, Cristina Dehelean 1,* email, Corina Danciu 1 email, Hai Ming Wang 2 email, Gerhard Wenz 2 email, Rita Ambrus 3 email, Florina Bojin 4 email and Mariana Anghel 4 email
1 Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2 Eftimie Murgu, Timisoara 300041, Romania 2 Organic Macromolecular Chemistry, Saarland University, Campus Saarbrücken, Saarbrücken D-66123, Germany 3 Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Szeged, 6 Eotvos ut., Szeged H-6720, Hungary 4 Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2 Eftimie Murgu, Timisoara 300041, Romania
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 24 August 2012; in revised form: 23 October 2012 / Accepted: 24 October 2012 / Published: 15 November 2012
(This article belongs to the Section Material Sciences and Nanotechnology)
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Abstract: Given the present high incidence of melanoma and skin cancer, interest in potential drugs of plant origin has increased significantly. Pentacyclic lupane-type triterpenes are widely distributed in plants, offering numerous pharmacological benefits. Betulin is an important compound in the bark of Betula pendula Roth and has important therapeutic properties, including antitumor activities. Its biological effect is limited by its poor water solubility, which can be improved by cyclodextrin complexation. The best results have been obtained by using a novel cyclodextrin derivative, octakis-[6-deoxy-6-(2-sulfanyl ethanesulfonate)]-γ-CD. The complexes between betulin and the previously mentioned cyclodextrin were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM)and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and pharmacologically evaluated in vitro (MTT and immunocytochemistry tests) and in vivo in C57BL/6J mice. The solubility of betulin is improved by cyclodextrin complexation, which creates a stable complex that improves the in vitro and in vivo properties of the active compound.
Keywords: melanoma; betulin; cyclodextrin; MTT; immunocytochemistry; C57BL/6J mice; antitumor activity

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MDPI and ACS Style

Şoica, C.; Dehelean, C.; Danciu, C.; Wang, H.M.; Wenz, G.; Ambrus, R.; Bojin, F.; Anghel, M. Betulin Complex in γ-Cyclodextrin Derivatives: Properties and Antineoplasic Activities in In Vitro and In Vivo Tumor Models. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2012, 13, 14992-15011.

AMA Style

Şoica C, Dehelean C, Danciu C, Wang HM, Wenz G, Ambrus R, Bojin F, Anghel M. Betulin Complex in γ-Cyclodextrin Derivatives: Properties and Antineoplasic Activities in In Vitro and In Vivo Tumor Models. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2012; 13(11):14992-15011.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Şoica, Codruta; Dehelean, Cristina; Danciu, Corina; Wang, Hai M.; Wenz, Gerhard; Ambrus, Rita; Bojin, Florina; Anghel, Mariana. 2012. "Betulin Complex in γ-Cyclodextrin Derivatives: Properties and Antineoplasic Activities in In Vitro and In Vivo Tumor Models." Int. J. Mol. Sci. 13, no. 11: 14992-15011.

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