A component of birch bark, the so-called betulin lowers blood cholesterol, prevents diet-related obesity and increases cell sensitivity to insulin, Shanghai researchers report in Cell Metabolism.
Researchers have shown that betulin works by interacting with the so-called sterol regulatory factor binding proteins (SREBPs) that control the activity of genes involved in the synthesis of cholesterol, fatty acids and triglycerides.
Bao-Liang Song, lead author of the Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences study, argues that the findings of his research group prove that the SREBP signaling pathway is a good target for the treatment of several metabolic diseases.
Scientists were looking for a substance that would directly affect the SREBP proteins. After numerous studies, it turned out that betulin reduces the activity of genes that are turned on by SREBP, which results in lowering the level of fats in cells.
The authors of the study gave laboratory mice a high-fat caloric-like unhealthy Western diet plus betulin, or a cholesterol-lowering statin called lovastatin, or a placebo for 6 weeks. Rodents treated with lovastatin or betulin during the experiment gained significantly less weight than mice that received a placebo. Betulin caused the animals to burn more calories, and lovastatin reduced the amount of fat taken from the diet.
Birch bark betulin not only supports metabolism. Its properties are also used in cosmetics. We recommend a body lotion for problem skin, which contains this ingredient, as well as a moisturizing serum with betulin Skin Dry Over FEEDSKIN for dry, dry and dehydrated skin.
Further research has also shown that betulin lowers the level of lipids in the blood, liver and adipose tissue and makes the cells of treated animals more sensitive to the effects of insulin. Mice that are genetically susceptible to atherosclerosis of blood vessels treated with lovastatin or betulin have fewer atherosclerotic plaques.
According to the authors of the research, betulin works similarly or even better than lovastatin – one of the most commonly used drugs for people with high cholesterol levels. Importantly, betulin is a widely available substance that is already used as a precursor in the production of other drugs.
As the scientists emphasize, it seems that betulin has minimal toxicity, but further studies are needed to confirm the safety of betulin use in the clinic. (PAP)