Betulin is a natural triterpene, usually from birch bark, known for its potential wound-healing properties. Despite having a wide range of pharmacological targets, no studies have proposed betulin as a multitarget compound. Betulin has protective effects against cardiovascular and liver diseases, cancer, diabetes, oxidative stress, and inflammation. It reduces postprandial hyperglycemia by inhibiting α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity, combats tumor cells by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting metastatic proteins, and modulates chronic inflammation by blocking the expression of proinflammatory cytokines via modulation of the NFκB and MAPKs pathways. Given its potential to influence diverse biological networks with high target specificity, it can be hypothesized that betulin may eventually become a new lead for drug development because it can modify a variety of pharmacological targets. The summarized research revealed that the diverse beneficial effects of betulin in various diseases can be attributed, at least in part, to its multitarget anti-inflammatory activity. This review focuses on the natural sources, pharmacokinetics, pharmacological activity of betulin, and the multi-target effects of betulin on signaling pathways such as MAPK, NF-κB, and Nrf2, which are important regulators of the response to oxidative stress and inflammation in the body.

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by hyperglycemia and a relative loss of β–cell function. Our research investigated the antidiabetic potential of betulin, a pentacyclic triterpenoid found primarily in birch bark and, intriguingly, in a few marine organisms. Betulin has been shown to possess diverse biological activities, including antioxidant and antidiabetic activities; however, no studies have fully explored the effects of betulin on the pancreas and pancreatic islets. In this study, we investigated the effect of betulin on streptozotocin–nicotinamide (STZ)-induced diabetes in female Wistar rats. Betulin was prepared as an emulsion, and intragastric treatments were administered at doses of 20 and 50 mg/kg for 28 days. The effect of treatment was assessed by analyzing glucose parameters such as fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1C, and glucose tolerance; hepatic and renal biomarkers; lipid peroxidation; antioxidant enzymes; immunohistochemical analysis; and hematological indices. Administration of betulin improved the glycemic response and decreased α–amylase activity in diabetic rats, although insulin levels and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA–IR) scores remained unchanged. Furthermore, betulin lowered the levels of hepatic biomarkers (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alpha-amylase activities) and renal biomarkers (urea and creatine), in addition to improving glutathione levels and preventing the elevation of lipid peroxidation in diabetic animals. We also found that betulin promoted the regeneration of β–cells in a dose-dependent manner but did not have toxic effects on the pancreas. In conclusion, betulin at a dose of 50 mg/kg exerts a pronounced protective effect against cytolysis, diabetic nephropathy, and damage to the acinar pancreas and may be a potential treatment option for diabetes.

Worldwide urbanization and subsequent migration have accelerated the emergence and spread of diverse novel human diseases. Among them, diseases caused by viruses could result in epidemics, typified by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which hit the globe towards the end of December 2019. The global battle against SARS-CoV-2 has reignited interest in finding alternative treatments for viral infections. The marine world offers a large repository of diverse and unique bioactive compounds. Over the years, many antiviral compounds from marine organisms have been isolated and tested in vitro and in vivo. However, given the increasing need for alternative treatment, in silico analysis appears to provide a time- and cost-effective approach to identifying the potential antiviral compounds from the vast pool of natural metabolites isolated from marine organisms. In this perspective review, we discuss marine-derived bioactive metabolites as potential therapeutics for all known disease-causing viruses including the SARS-CoV-2. We demonstrate the efficacy of marine-derived bioactive metabolites in the context of various antiviral activities and their in silico, in vitro, and in vivo capacities.

Yoghurt is a nutrient-dense dairy food product produced by lactic acid bacteria that enhances digestion and nutrient absorption, as well as sustains gut flora. However, it is a low-phenolic food. In addition to being a potential food delivery system, creating unique yoghurts with plant-derived ingredients has become more popular. Increasingly, Moringa oleifera remains a popular phytotherapeutic plant known for its antioxidant properties, given the presence of a wide range of phenolic compounds. Adding M. oleifera to yoghurt, therefore, would enhance both mineral and phenolic compositions, as well as promote the growth of probiotic bacteria. In this review, the nutritional and production aspects of M. oleifera to fortify yoghurt is discussed. The obtained findings on M. oleifera’s therapeutic properties consolidate it as a promising ingredient for yoghurt fortification, as demonstrated by its nutritional and functional impact on yoghurt. Given that yoghurt production requires adherence to specific standardized thresholds, the rich polyphenolic content of M. oleifera, which adds an astringent taste, requires future studies to overcome this challenge.

Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) have emerged as promising green alternatives to conventional solvents for the extraction of bioactive compounds from plant materials. In this study, eight natural deep eutectic solvents were synthesized and evaluated for their efficiency in extracting betulin from birch bark. Extraction yield was assessed using high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. Among the tested systems, N3 (choline chloride and urea in a 1:1 molar) and N4 (choline chloride and fructose in a 1:1 molar) were the most effective, yielding 101.26 ± 0.03 and 243.32 ± 0.26 mg betulin per gram of dry extract, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed the structural similarity of the N4 extract to pure betulin. In addition to increased extraction performance, the N4 extract demonstrated the greatest antioxidant activity (DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl): 63% and ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)): 97% inhibition) and total phenolic content (12.12 mg GAE/g extract), and betulin yield was strongly correlated with total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity (FRAP (ferric ion reducing antioxidant power), DPPH, and ABTS), indicating the preservation of bioactivity. These findings underscore the potential of NADESs as sustainable solvents for the extraction of bioactive compounds from birch bark, supporting greener extraction technologies for biomass valorization and natural product processing.