title: Evaluation of Betulin Mutagenicity by Salmonella/Microsome Test.
abstract: Purpose:Betulin is a pentacyclic triterpene found in the outer barks of innumerous plants. This secondary metabolite is easily isolated from plants with the major interest in converting it to betulinic acid, which pharmacological properties were much more exploited than betulin. But, investments in the own betulin have been grown since no chemical step is necessary. In this study we focused the precursor betulin in order to evaluate its mutagenicity by Salmonella/microsome assay (Ames test).Methods:The Ames test was carried out using a commercial betulin exposed to Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98, TA100, TA102, and TA97a, in experiments with (+S9) and without (-S9) metabolic activation.Results:Betulin was unable to increase the number of revertants (+S9 and -S9 metabolic activation) showing the absence of any mutagenic effect by Ames test.Conclusion:This study allowed attribute safety to betulin being important for exploiting its pharmacological uses.
authors.affiliation: Post-Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sorocaba (UNISO), Sorocaba, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Edson Hideaki
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.affiliation: Post-Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sorocaba (UNISO), Sorocaba, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Natália
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tribuiani
authors.affiliation: Post-Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sorocaba (UNISO), Sorocaba, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Giovana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sabadim
authors.affiliation: Post-Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sorocaba (UNISO), Sorocaba, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Débora Antunes
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Neto Moreno
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty of Araraquara, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rodovia Araraquara-Jau, Km 1, CEP 14801-902, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eliana Aparecida
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Varanda
authors.affiliation: Post-Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sorocaba (UNISO), Sorocaba, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Yoko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Oshima-Franco
keywords: Ames test; Betulin; Salmonella mutagenicity; Triterpenoid