Positive effects of Betula utilis bark powder extracts and leaves extracts in spatial learning and working memory in ketamine-induced rat model of schizophrenia

 Betula utilis (HIMALAYAN BIRCH)

FAMILY:Betulaceae

INTRODUCTION 

India is virtually a herbarium of the world. In India, we are using plants and herbs as the basic source of medicine because we are rich in them. Herbals which form a part of our nutrition and provide us an additional therapeutic effect are in demand and Betula utilis is one of such plant. 

Betula utilis is a significant medicinal plant which is widespread throughout the Himalayan region, 

commonly known as Bhoj patra . There are at least 250,00 species of plants out of which more than one thousand plants have been found to possess considerable pharmacological properties among these a traditional medicinal plant Betula utilis is a birch tree native to the Himalayas. The bark of birch tree has been the subject of respect and admiration throughout prehistory and history in the modern world

Traditionally the bark of B. utilis is widely used in the treatment of various ailments and diseases such as wound healing, skin disinfectant, bronchitis, convulsions, leprosy and diseases of the blood and the ear. The white, paper-like bark of the tree was used in ancient times for writing Sanskrit scriptures and texts, writing of sacred mantras, with the bark placed in an amulet and worn for protection

According to the Ayurvedic pharmacopeia, the bark of B. utilis contains triterpenoids components such as botulin, lupeol and oleanolic acid-3-acetate. Therefore, the bioavailability and toxicity of the birch triterpene extracts have attracted high interest in recent years 

Taxonomy 

The plant belongs to the family Betulaceae. Betula utilis is a moderate-sized tree that grows along moraines around Bhojbasa, close to the snout of the Gangotri glacier in India. It is a moderate-sized tree that grows up to 20 m in height. The bark is shining, reddish-white or white, with white horizontals smooth, lenticels. The outer bark consists of layers, exfoliating in broad horizontal rolls. The leaves are ovate-acuminate, elliptic and irregularly serrate. The flowers bloom in May June, in pendulous spikes. The flowers are monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the plant) and are pollinated by wind. Seeds are thin and winged. The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soli. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil. Its therapeutic constitutes antiseptiv, aromatic, carminative and contraceptive effects

quantitative analysis by HPTLC method. All the isolated compounds were characterized and purity was found 

>98% as determined by HPTLC 

Betulin Lupeol 

Oleanolic acid Oleanolic acid-3-acetate 

β-sitosterol 

Uses 

 The bark of Himalayan birch was used centuries ago in India as paper for writing lengthy scriptures and texts in Sanskrit and other scripts. The bark of B. utilis is widely used in Ayurveda and Unani system of medicine, in the treatment of various ailments and diseases such as skin 

disinfectant, diseases of the blood and the ear, convulsions, wound healing, bronchitis, leprosy etc. 

 The leaves of the plant show efficacy in treatment of urinary tract infections and in kidney and bladder stones. The fungal growth (bhujra-granthi) has also long been used in local traditional medicine. 

 The wood is used for constructions of buildings, houses etc. 

 The foliage is used for fodder. The most widespread use is for firewood, which has caused large areas of habitat to be eliminated or reduced 

CONCLUSION 

The multiple benefits of Betula utilis made it a true miracle of nature. The stem bark used in India for the treatment of various diseases. Betula utilis possesses various phytochemical and pharmacological properties as discussed in present paper. Numerous studies have been conducted on different parts of Betula utilis, but this plant has not yet developed as a drug by pharmaceutical industries. 

#pharmascienceanddevelopment

#pharmascienceprotocol

#bluebite

#keshbluebite

#rakfesh

#rakfeshbetulautilis

#ayurvedahezzard

#schizophreniaunzippedlive

#schizophrenia