Scientists from Perm National Research Technical University and the Institute of Technical Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences have managed to improve the solubility of an anti-cancer compound while preserving its structure and effectiveness.
The university's press office notes that substances extracted from plants and fungi with anti-tumor activity are poorly soluble in water, negatively impacting their absorption in the human body. Researchers have, for the first time, investigated the possibility of increasing the solubility of the anti-tumor compound betulin, extracted from a substance found in birch bark. They developed a method that increases its solubility by 5-10 times while preserving its structure and effectiveness. According to the researchers, this technique is simple and does not require expensive equipment or toxic chemicals, which will contribute to the development of new drugs.
The compound whose solubility was improved by the researchers is a semi-synthetic derivative of betulin, oleanane methylisoxazole, which inhibits the growth and spread of malignant cells. To achieve this, they used special molecules known as cyclodextrins, whose inner part is water-repellent while the outer part dissolves easily. This allows methylisoxazole molecules to penetrate these "barriers" without precipitating in water, thus improving their absorption in the body.
A source in the office says: "The results of the study pave the way for the creation of new anti-tumor drugs based on natural compounds. Previously, oleanan methylisoxazole and similar substances were not considered promising for medical use due to the difficulty in making them water-soluble. Now, by using special carrier molecules, scientists will be able to increase the bioavailability of the compound while maintaining its effectiveness."
