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Planta Med 1998; 64(7): 655-657
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-957542
Letter

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Betulinic Acid Inhibits Aminopeptidase N Activity

Matthias F. Melzig, Hedda Bormann
  • Institute of Pharmacy, Humboldt-University, Berlin, Germany
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Publication History

1998

1998

Publication Date:
04 January 2007 (online)

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Abstract

The triterpene betulinic acid inhibits the activity of aminopeptidase N (EC 3.4.11.2) in a dose-dependent manner. An IC50 of 7.3±1.4 µM was determined for betulinic acid. This inhibitory activity is higher than that of bestatin (IC50 = 16.9±4.1 µM), a well known inhibitor of this enzyme. The finding supports the idea that betulinic acid acts as anti-melanoma agent via inhibition of aminopeptidase N activity.

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