Birch bark dry extract (BBDE) containing no less than 70% of betulin and betulin alone were compared with the reference drugs suprastin and claritine for their antiallergenic action. It is established that BBDE and betulin reduce by half the systemic anaphylactic reaction in guinea pigs immunized with ovalbumin from chicken egg white, their action being comparable with that of suprastin in mild and medium anaphylactic shock. The course of BBDE administration per os or intaperitoneally leads to a significant decrease in the content of IgE antibodies to ovalbumin in mice of various strains immunized in different regimens. The effect of BBDE on anaphylactic contraction of isolated guinea pig ileum samples was evaluated and showed no direct action upon the H1-receptors. Studies on models of pseudoallergenic reaction to concanavalin A in mice and carragenan-induced paw edema in rats showed that the anti-inflammatory action of BBDE is comparable with that of suprastin and claritine and is more pronounced than the effect of betulin.

Birch bark dry extract (BBDE) containing at least 70% betulin and betulin alone were compared with the reference drugs Suprastin and Claritin for their antiallergenic action. It is established that BBDE and betulin reduce by half the systemic anaphylactic reaction in guinea pigs immunized with ovalbumin from chicken egg white, their action being comparable with that of Suprastin in mild and medium anaphylactic shock. The course of BBDE administration per os or i.p. leads to a significant decrease in the content of IgE antibodies to ovalbumin in mice of various strains immunized in different regimens. The effect of BBDE on anaphylactic contraction of isolated guinea pig ileum samples was evaluated and showed no direct action upon the H1-receptors. Studies on models of pseudoallergenic reaction to concanavalin A in mice and carragenan-induced paw edema in rats showed that the anti-inflammatory action of BBDE is comparable with that of Suprastin and Claritin and is more pronounced than the effect of betulin.

Birch bark dry extract (BBDE) containing no less then 70% of betulin was studied in complex tests on mice and guinea pigs. Administered perorally in doses of 100 and 1000 mg/kg (p.o.), BBDE exhibited neither immunotoxic nor allergenic effects. In luminol-dependent chemiluminescence tests, BBDE administered in mice in a dose of 100 mg/kg (p.o.) during 14 days inhibited the production of active oxygen species by neutrophiles. Upon a single administration in doses of 100 and 1000 mg/kg BBDE suppressed Con-A-induced inflammation in mice. BBDE administered in guinea pigs at doses of 100 and 1000 mg/kg reduced the intensity of systemic anaphylaxis.

Birch bark dry extract (BBDE) containing no less then 70% of betulin was studied in complex tests on mice and guinea pigs. Administered perorally in doses of 100 and 1000 mg/kg (p.o.), BBDE exhibited neither immunotoxic nor allergenic effects. In luminol-dependent chemiluminescence tests, BBDE administered in mice in a dose of 100 mg/kg (p.o.) during 14 days inhibited the production of reactive oxygen species by neutrophils. Upon a single administration in doses of 100 and 1000 mg/kg, BBDE suppressed a model inflammation induced by concanavalin A in mice. BBDE administered to guinea pigs in doses of 100 and 1000 mg/kg reduced the intensity of systemic anaphylaxis.

The study deals with the evaluation of antimycobacterial activity of betulinol, a dry birch bark extract (BBE), on a model of infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MBT). It has established the inhibitory action of betulinol on the in vitro and in vivo growth of MBT and its positive effect on reparative processes in the lung, liver, and spleen of tuberculosis-infected mice.

The interferon-inducing activity of dry birch bark extract containing betulin and its effect on hepatitis C virus (HCV)-induced infection were studied in the cultured cells. All samples of the extract induced increased interferon (IFN) production when it was orally and intraperitoneally administered. The dose-dependence of the production of IFN showed a direct relation of the extract to interferon induction. There is strong evidence for that the extract can decrease the antigenic and infective activity of HCV in both in vitro experiments and HCV-induced infection in mice. The preventive effect of the extract was found in both the HCV-infected cell cultures and the HCV-infected mice.

Study was performed by counting cells with chromosomal aberrations in C57Bl/6 mice. Bark dry extract was given perorally in doses of 50, 150, 450, and 1500 mg/kg. Mutagens dioxidine and cyclophosphamide were injected intraperitoneally in doses of 200 and 20 mg/kg, respectively. Bark dry extract in doses of 150 and 1500 mg/kg did not possess cytogenetic activity. Bark dry extract in doses of 50, 150, and 450 mg/kg significantly decreased the cytogenetic effect of mutagens under various regimens of treatment with the preparation (single combined administration, 5-day pretreatment, and 5-day combined administration). Our results indicate that bark dry extract possesses antimutagenic properties.