Method of producing betulinic acid

Abstract

A method of producing betulinic acid from the bark of plane trees by fractional extraction with a solvent of medium polarity and subsequent recrystallization out of methanol.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of producing betulinic acid, comprising the steps of: 
 providing plane tree bark;    extracting betulinic acid from the bark with a solvent;    inspissating the extracts; and    recrystallizing the obtained betulinic acid.    
     
     
         2 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein the betulinic acid is extracted by a solvent of medium polarity.  
     
     
         3 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein the solvent of medium polarity consists of the group of dichloromethane, chloroform and diethylether.  
     
     
         4 . The method of    claim 2   , wherein the step of extraction comprises fractional extraction.  
     
     
         5 . The method of    claim 4   , further including the steps of inspissating initial fractions of the extraction to about one fifth of their volume and cooling for precipitating the betulinic acid.  
     
     
         6 . The method of    claim 5   , further including the step of inspissating terminal fractions to a dry state.  
     
     
         7 . The method of    claim 6   , further comprising the step of recrystallizing the betulinic acid from methanol.