Publicação
Betula spp na clínica: evidência científica
| Resumo: | Introduction: Nowadays, medicinal plants are reaching a spotlight, with their biopharmacological properties taking a centre stage in human health. Birch is a tree from the Betulaceae family, which has been used empirically since ancestral times, due to its wide therapeutic actions. Through unceasing investigation, researchers have been able to gather the necessary scientific evidence to prove such therapeutic properties, sustaining current uses. Nevertheless, the latest advances also allowed to unveil new ones. Objective: To write a critical review, aiming to compile and describe the main scientifically sustained biopharmacological properties of birch tree and of its main phytoconstituents: betulin and betulinic acid. Methods: Scientific articles that fulfil the objectives were selected from Pubmed and Embase databases. They were reviewed and the major benefits of birch were organized according to therapeutic properties.Results: The main effects of birch were grouped into: anti-microbiological, nephro-urinary, dermatological, anti-inflammatory, endocrine-metabolic, neuroprotective and oncological. The collected information shows enough scientific evidence to support such properties, reflecting birch’s potential therapeutic application. Conclusion: The state-of-play concerning birch supports its empiric and ancestral use. Moreover, new applications have also been discovered, while the safety and efficacy of this medicinal plant were confirmed. Through biotechnological progress, researchers revealed the underlying mechanisms of action and, at the same time, improved some limitations of these bioactives, specially their decreased bioavailability. Although more studies, particularly in vivo, are still needed to corroborate these findings, today’s scientific evidence allows us to believe that, in the coming years, a clinical application of birch might actually be achieved. |
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| Autores principais: | Jardim, Ana Sofia Lourenço |
| Assunto: | Betula spp Bétula betulina ácido betulínico queratose actínica Betula spp Betula betulin betulinic acid actinic keratosis |
| Ano: | 2019 |
| País: | Portugal |
| Tipo de documento: | dissertação de mestrado |
| Tipo de acesso: | acesso aberto |
| Instituição associada: | Universidade de Coimbra |
| Idioma: | português |
| Origem: | Estudo Geral - Universidade de Coimbra |
| Resumo: | Introduction: Nowadays, medicinal plants are reaching a spotlight, with their biopharmacological properties taking a centre stage in human health. Birch is a tree from the Betulaceae family, which has been used empirically since ancestral times, due to its wide therapeutic actions. Through unceasing investigation, researchers have been able to gather the necessary scientific evidence to prove such therapeutic properties, sustaining current uses. Nevertheless, the latest advances also allowed to unveil new ones. Objective: To write a critical review, aiming to compile and describe the main scientifically sustained biopharmacological properties of birch tree and of its main phytoconstituents: betulin and betulinic acid. Methods: Scientific articles that fulfil the objectives were selected from Pubmed and Embase databases. They were reviewed and the major benefits of birch were organized according to therapeutic properties.Results: The main effects of birch were grouped into: anti-microbiological, nephro-urinary, dermatological, anti-inflammatory, endocrine-metabolic, neuroprotective and oncological. The collected information shows enough scientific evidence to support such properties, reflecting birch’s potential therapeutic application. Conclusion: The state-of-play concerning birch supports its empiric and ancestral use. Moreover, new applications have also been discovered, while the safety and efficacy of this medicinal plant were confirmed. Through biotechnological progress, researchers revealed the underlying mechanisms of action and, at the same time, improved some limitations of these bioactives, specially their decreased bioavailability. Although more studies, particularly in vivo, are still needed to corroborate these findings, today’s scientific evidence allows us to believe that, in the coming years, a clinical application of birch might actually be achieved. |
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