Beta-amyrin

HAYASHI, H., HUANG, P.Y., KIRAKOSYAN, A..INOUE, K., HIRAOKA, N., KESHIRO, Y., KUSHIRO, T., SHIBUYA, M EBIZUKA, Y., Cloning and characterization of a cDNA encoding beta-amyrin synthase involved in glycyrrhizin and soyasaponin biosynthesis in licorice, Biol. Pharm. Bull, 2001, 24,912-916. 

Lobelia contains 14 alkaloids, of which lobeline is the most significant (figure 4.13). Other alkaloids include lobelanine, lobelanidine, norlobelanine, and isolobinine. Another relevant chemical that is isolated from the leaves of lobelia is beta-amyrin palmitate. 

Another psychoactive constituent of lobelia, beta-amyrin palmitate, causes a release of norepinephrine in mouse brain synaptosomes, possibly releasing it from newly synthesized pools (Subarnas et al. 1993b). 

Antidepressant Some animal models show antidepressant effects of lobelia extract (Subarnas et al. 1992). Similar to imipramine and mianserin, beta-amyrin palmitate shows antidepressant-like effects in the forced-swimming test (Subarnas et al. 1993a). Whereas mianserin and beta-amyrin palmitate reduce locomotor activity induced by methamphetamine, imipramine increases it. It potentiates sodium pentobarbital-induced sleep more potently than imipramine, but less than mianserin. Collectively, the effects of beta-amyrin palmitate in behavioral and physiological assays suggests it may work in a manner more similar to mianserin than imipramine. However, the mechanism of antidepressant-like effects of lobelia is uncertain. It may be through the beta-amyrin palmitate s ability to release norepinephrine (Subarnas et al. 1993b). An antidepressant effect of lobelia has not been established in humans. 

Subarnas A, Tadano T, Kisara K, Ohizumi Y. (1993c). An alpha-adrenoceptor-mediated mechanism of hypoactivity induced by beta-amyrin palmitate. J Pharm Pharmacol. 45(11) 1006-8. 

Aleurites fordii Hemsl. You Tong (Candlenut) (fruit, aerial part, seed) Saponin, alpha-elaeo stearic, oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, tannins, phytosterols, n-hentriacontane, alpha-amyrin, beta-amyrin, stigmasterol, beta-sitosterolm, campesterol.50-219 Analgesic activity. Treat anemia, atrophy, edema, vermicide, oil (toxic internally) for parasitic skin diseases. 

Artocarpus altilis (Park.) Fosberg. Mian Bao Shu (bark) Triterpenes, beta-amyrin acetate, lupeol acetate.60 Poultice for ulcers. 

Chimaphila umbellata (L.) W. Barton Mei Li Cao (whole plant) Arbutin, ursolic acid, homoarbutin, chimaphilin, isohomoarbutin, hyperin, avicularin, kaempferol, renifolin, beta-amyrin, ericolin, andromedotoxin, chinic acid.48 Diuretic, relieve stomach, tooth and after-birth pains, antifungal. 

Cirsium chinense Gardn. et Champ. C. japonicum DC Chinese Ji Da Ji (Thistle) (leaf, stem) Alpha-amyrin, beta-amyrin, beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, taraxsteryl acetate, inulin, labenzyme, pcctolinarin.50 60 Hemostat, diuretic, treat intestinal bleeding caused by ulcers, externally for abscesses and scabies. 

Cuscuta chinensis Lam. C. eumpaea L. C. japonica Choisy C. lupuliformis Krocker Tu Si Zi (Dodder) (seed) Cuscutalin, bergenin, cuscutin, amarbelin, cholesterol, campesterol, beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, beta-amyrin.48 Improve immunity, increase blood sugar metabolism. 

Eclipta erecta L. Mo Han Lian (Eclipta) (aerial part) Essential oils, tannic acid, saponin, wedolactone, nicotine, ecliptine, demethylwedolactone, alpha-tertiary methanol, stigmasterol, beta-amyrin.33-450 Hemostatic effect, antimyotoxic, antihemorrhagic. 

Eupatorium odoratum L. Pei Lan (seed) Eupatol, lupeol, beta-amyrin, salvigenin, isosakuranetin, odoratin, aromatic acids, anisic acid.50 Anodyne, hemostat, spasmolytic, vermifuge. 

Euphorbia antiquorum L. Huo Yu Jin (Fleshy spurge) (whole plant) Friedelaun-3-ol, alpha-taraxerol, beta-amyrin, cycloarternol, euphol, alpha-euphorbol.33 Diuretic. 

Firmiana simplex (L.) W. F. Wight Wu Tong (Chinese parasol tree) (leaf, seed, bark, root) Betaine, choline, beta-amyrin, beta-amyrin acetate, rutin, lupenone, heutriacontane, octacosanol, beta-sitosterol.33 Detoxicant, smooth lung function, increase appetite. 

Pedicularis resupinata L. P. resupinata L. f. pubescens Kom. P. resupinata L. f. ramosa Kom. Ma Xian Gao (Lousewort) (whole plant) Alpha-amyrin, beta-amyrin, betulinic acid, cholesterol, kaempferol.50-218 Used in fever, leucorrhea, rheumatism, sterility, urinary difficulties, anti-inflammation, dryness of the mouth, tongue, and tinnitus. 

Tamarindus indicus L. Luo Huang Zi (Tamarind) (stem, fruit) Tannins, beta-amyrin, campesterol, beta-sitosterol, palmitic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, eicosanoic acid, arabinose, xylose, galactose, glucose, uronic acid, pectins, mucilage, vitamin B.60-216 Diuretic, purgative, for liver disorders, inappetence, digestion, and hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic properties. 

Viscum album L. subsp. coloratum Kom. V. album L. subsp. coloratum Kom. f. rubroaurantiacum (Makino) Kitag. V. coloratum (Kom.) Nakai Hu Ji Shang (Asiatic mistletoe) (leaf, stem) Oleanolic acid, beta-amyrin, fatty acids, mesoinositol, flavoyadorinin, homoflavoyadorinin, lupeol, myristic acid, agglutinins, alkaloids, quercitol, querbrachitol, quencetine, acetylcholine, choline, histamine, tyramine, vitamins E and C.33-450 Antihypertensive, prolong the life of patients with late stage stomach cancer. 

N.A. Ranunculin, tannin, resin, saponin, anemonin, delphinidin, pelargonidin glycosides, beta-amyrin, beta-sitosterol. Treat asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, diarrhea, rheumatism, and warts. It is alterative, antidotal, diuretic and emmengague. 

Viscum album L. China Oleanolic acid, beta-amyrin, mesoinositol, flavoyadorinin, homoflavoyadorinin, lupeol, myristic acid, agglutinins, alkaloids, quercitol, querbrachitol, vitamins E and C.33 Antihypertensive, prolong the life of patients with late stage of stomach cancer. 

China Viburnum sargenti Koehne f. glabram Kom. Scopoletin, aesculetin, caffeic acid, citric acid, malic acid, chlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid, essential oil, kaempferol-3-glucoside, beta-amyrin, beta-sitosterol, paeonin.48 For blood circulation, swelling, detoxicant, relieve itchiness, arthritis. 

There are several natural non-combustion sources of PAHs. A study in 1980 by Wakeham [43] concluded that phenanthrene could be created by the dehydrogenation of steroids, retene could be produced by the diagenesis of abietic acid, and alkyl chrysenes could form from the degradation of the pentacyclic triterpenes alpha- and beta-amyrin, which are components of higher plant waxes. In this section we will look at the natural non-combustion sources of retene and perylene and how these sources might impact the Great Lakes. 

Kushiro, T., Shibuya, M. Ebizuka, Y. beta-Amyrin synthase Cloning of oxidosqualene cyclase that catalyzes die formation of the most popular triterpene among higher plants. Eur J Biochem 1998 256 238-244. 

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