Promising Protocol for In Vivo Experiments with Betulin
August 2025
in “
Pharmaceutics
”
Studysummary This study evaluated methods to administer betulin in in vivo experiments and found that olive oil, food-grade lard, and other carriers increase betulin absorption in Wistar rats, while monitoring blood levels may aid future clinical research.
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This study presents a protocol for preparing molecular solutions of betulin for in vivo use, addressing its water insolubility. Conducted on 35 NMRI mice and 2 Wistar rats, the research found olive oil to be the most effective carrier for betulin, maintaining a clear solution at 10 mg/mL. Oral administration using olive oil or lard was effective, while rectal administration was not. Betulin alone was ineffective against Ehrlich’s adenocarcinoma, but showed significant synergistic effects when combined with Namitecan, enhancing treatment efficiency. Despite the small sample size of 2 rats for organ determination, the study suggests sufficient distribution of betulin and highlights its potential in cancer treatment, though further research is needed. The study confirms the stability of pure betulin over five years and suggests that current storage guidelines may be overly cautious.
