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I chose this picture, because it reminded me a lot of what I read during the Unit 1 discussion notes and videos. This is called Auxin, and if you put the plant near a window where sunlight can reach it you can start to see that the plant will gravitate to the sun. So, Auxin is a chemical and it moves to the shade of the stem. It is going to loosen it up, and make the cells bigger. It will also start to affect the roots of the plant, and it will move against gravity.

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There were so many videos that I could have added for Photosynthesis, but what better way to understand it then a video that even children can understand? I sometimes have a hard time understanding educational videos, especially when it comes to science related topics. This video over photosynthesis gets to the points, and helps me understand the process a whole lot better with the way they discuss, and show pictures. Watching this video actually made me understand it a whole lot better than the first time while reading the Unit 2 posts.

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I chose to pick Gymnosperms out the four because to me it was the most interesting. The plant that I choose from this group that was native to Georgia is Pinus palustris. Their common name is Longleaf Pine. This website that I found gives you some facts and a brief overview of the Longleaf Pine in Augusta Georgia's Recreation and Parks.
https://www.augustaga.gov/1645/Longleaf-Pine

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There are many biomes that I feel could possibly  be in the most danger of ecological change, however the one I chose was Tundra Biome. This biome may not have the same vegetation in the year 2100 because of the climate shifts. This would not only affect the animals way of living, but it would also affect us by releasing carbon dioxide as the ice melts.

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The Neolithic or First Agricultural Revolution had  many impacts. I chose one that was both negative and positive in a way. In this diagram, it shows that this revolution did not necessarily have a fast growth in population. This page discusses how the transition that they had with cereal based foods caused a reduction in life expectancy and stature, an increase in infant mortality and infectious diseases throughout the century since they were introduced to the revolution.

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I chose this web page due to the fact that it was simple, and straight to the point in my opinion. This web page gave me a clear definition of what the Third Agriculture Revolution is, and the many effects that it is having in our world today. It also gives you some arguments as to why this Revolution isn't good.

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The Third Agricultural Revolution This is also called the Green Revolution and began in the 1930's. New agricultural practices were created to help farmers all over the world and eliminate hunger by...

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It was very hard to choose what  the most influential chemical used in the world that is derived from a plant. However I chose Betulinic acid just because it has more than one way to help. The number one reason why I chose it is because it is anti cancer. In this web site, there lists a couple of more reasons why Betulinic Acid is such an influential chemical used in the world

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Have you ever heard about Chaga benefits or Chaga mushroom benefits? Chaga and birch trees are very closely related because a Chaga is a fungus which lives of the birch trees' bark. They have one ingredient in common - betulin. Both Chaga mushroom and birch tree bark have betulin in them and the scientists and a cosmetic industry like that ingredient. INCI: Betulin, Betulinic Acid

What is birch bark extract?
Birch trees have the distinguished white color bark. The white color of these trees comes from the presence of betulin inside them. The content of betulin in the birch cortex may vary from 20 to 30% and it is located in the form of crystalline clusters in the cortex layer in large, thin-walled cells arising in the spring. During that time, in early spring, the betulin is harvested from the white bark of birch trees. A Birch bark extract is a mixture of betulin (> 95%), betulinic acid and lupeol.
What is the use of birch bark extract?
The chemical compounds present in the birch bark extract (betulin, betulinic acid, and lupeol) have many interesting pharmacological properties and are also valuable cosmetic raw materials.

Betulin and betulinic acid were also found in high concentration in the Chaga mushroom which is well known and documented for its curative properties. The connection is obvious if a Chaga mushroom is a fungus of the birch tree and they symbiotically possess this same ingredient betulin then birch bark extract as valuable as Chaga.

Many scientific studies confirmed and have shown that betulin has highly curative properties and even in a very high concentration, it is not toxic to the human body at all. Then what are these benefits?

Antioxidant activity (antioxidant)

Active substances of birch bark extract protect cells and tissues against so-called Oxidative stress, which leads to damage to the components of cells, especially proteins, lipids, and DNA. The excess of free radicals contributes to the development of many civilization diseases (cancer, atherosclerosis, neurodegenerative diseases), causes the body to grow faster. Research has shown that betulin and betulinic acid have strong antioxidant properties, i.e. they destroy peroxides and reactive oxygen species (free radicals) [21, 27]. When used externally, the preparation containing betulin protects the skin against free radicals and carcinogens and accelerates aging (eg ionizing radiation, UV).

The anti-cancer effect of betulin has been studied on many different tumor cell lines, including lung cancer [5], leukemia, hepatocellular carcinoma [6], gastric and pancreatic cancer [7], colon cancer, oral cavity and prostate cancer (hormonally dependent). Betulinic acid has cytotoxic activity in the following cases: cutaneous melanoma [9], leukemia, lymphoblastic leukemia [10], colorectal cancer [28], breast, cervix, prostate [11], neuroblastoma [12], glioblastoma, ovarian cancer and thyroid gland [8].

The mechanism of action of active substances present in the birch bark extract is based on the induction of apoptosis, or suicidal death, of cancer cells. Pharmacokinetic studies of betulinic acid showed that the highest concentration of this compound occurs in the tissue undergoing neoplastic changes [3]. It is related to m.in. with the acidity of the environment inside the cancer cell, whose pH (6.8) is lower than in healthy cells [7].

Another mechanism of action of betulin itself, which plays a special role in the prevention of cancer, is the increase in the production of cytokines in the blood, in particular, the tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) [13]. Cytokines affect the stimulation of cells involved in the body's immune response.

Birch bark extract is protective in case of skin cancer (melanoma, basal cell carcinoma BCC, squamous cell carcinoma SCC) [9]. The pathogenesis of this type of cancer is associated in particular with damage to the epidermis cells due to chronic ultraviolet radiation. Clinical trials confirm the high efficacy of betulin in reducing dysplastic features and changes in the type of actinic keratosis [29], which are pre-cancerous (more than 10% of such changes are transformed into cancer).

Immunostimulatory and anti-inflammatory effects.

The anti-inflammatory effect of betulin and betulinic acid is based on the inhibition of prostaglandin secretion, which is responsible for the inflammatory process, the formation of edema and pain response. Research has shown that the active substances of birch bark extract are also immunomodulators, ie they regulate the immune system, enhance the immune response and stimulate the body's self-healing [22, 23]. Contraindications are foreign tissue grafts.

When using a preparation containing birch bark extract in atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, reduction of skin lesions, swellings and pruritus symptoms can be observed.

Betulin has been tested for antiviral activity in the following viruses: herpes (HSV-1 and HSV-2), ECHO 6 [14] (causing, among others, meningitis, infection of the upper respiratory tract, diarrhea ), FPV influenza [15]. Research is ongoing on the antiviral effects of betulin and its derivatives on papilloma cells (HPV, which can cause cervical and laryngeal cancer).

Betulinic acid is currently being extensively studied for its strong antiviral activity towards HIV [16]. Positive results were also obtained in tests against viruses: EMCV (causing, among others, inflammation of the brain and myocardium), hepatitis A and C, VSV (responsible for vesicular stomatitis) [17].

Antimicrobial and antifungal activity

Betulinic acid and lupeol have antifungal and antibacterial activity against the following strains: Sporothrix schenckii, Microsporum Canis, Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida guilliermondi, Candida spicata [31].

The oleanolic and betulin acids inhibit the growth of such bacterial strains as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Mycobacterium tuberculosis [18, 31].

Pure betulin also has antifungal activity towards Fusarium oxysporum. In addition, it has been proven that betulinic acid has antimalarial activity [19].

As shown in the study, birch extract (consisting of betulin, betulinic acid, and lupeol) does not reveal immunotoxic and allergy-causing properties. It causes a significant reduction in skin lesions and a reduction in the symptoms of pruritus [22]. In the experiments conducted, it was shown that the betulin contained in the extract led to a decrease in the level of type E immunoglobulins in the blood serum. Higher concentrations of birch extract may even inhibit anaphylactic shock, which is the most severe form of the body's allergic reaction [23].

Very important is the fact that a standardized birch bark extract containing isolated active substances does not cause allergic reactions even in people allergic to pollen. The extract is devoid of molecules of proteins that build pollen grains of plants (eg birch) or some mold fungi. Therefore, preparations containing betulin and betulinic acid are completely safe for allergy sufferers.

Betulin regulates the process of melanin production and distribution in the skin by inhibiting the enzyme tyrosinase (which is responsible for the transformation of tyrosine into a pigment - melanin). This property is used in prophylaxis and care of the skin with disturbed melanin synthesis (freckles, dye stains, chloasma, vitiligo). Preparations with betulin effectively prevent the appearance of abnormal pigmentation changes in the skin, which may lead to the development of melanoma [32].

The action regulating the collagen and elastin synthesis

As studies of betulin acid showed, it inhibits the enzyme elastase (which breaks down elastin) and effectively protects the skin against loss of elasticity. In addition, it stimulates the synthesis of collagen, the main connective tissue protein, which has a very high tensile strength, hence responsible for skin elasticity. Products containing betulin and betulinic acid prevent skin sagging and cellulite.

Betulin has a choleretic and choleretic effect, activates protective effects on liver cells. At this point, it should be noted that the preparation containing active compounds of the birch bark should not be used in confirmed biliary obstruction, and in the case of urolithiasis, consult a physician.

Recent research has also shown that betulin has a lipotropic effect (reduces blood lipids, liver, and adipose tissue) and promotes the metabolism of the body.

Betulin acid effectively inhibits the secretion of stomach acids and therefore reduces inflammatory changes in the gastrointestinal tract [24].

The action of betulin and lupeol was also confirmed as the compounds responsible for reducing renal tubular damage and lowering the rates of crystal deposition in the kidneys (kidney stones).

Birch juice is wildly used in the Eastern European natural medicine as a remedy for kidney stones and gastrointestinal problems

Birch bark extract, containing betulin and betulinic acid, accelerates the regeneration of tissues while acting antiseptically in the case of wounds difficult to heal and after burns. In addition, it accelerates granulation and scarring of wounds, limiting the size of the scar, prevents tissue degeneration.

In the case of an external application on the scalp, it strengthens hair roots, stimulates hair regrowth in the case of hair loss, women in baldness after childbirth, seborrhoeic baldness, after chemotherapy.

Betulin and betulinic acid have been proven effective ingredient in combating many diseases and very valuable ingredient of the cosmetics. Recently Chaga mushroom is well known and popular in homeopathic and holistic healing circles and birch tree extract and juice was always used in traditional medicine and now we have scientific proofs that betulin and betulinic acid included in these plants have very highly curative effects.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

1. A. Sami, M. Taru, K. Salme, Yli-Kauhaluoma Jari, 2006. Pharmacological properties of the ubiquitous natural product betulin. European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 29. 2. E.W.H. Hayek, U. Jordis, W. Moche, F. Sauter, 1989. A bicentennial of betulin. Phytochemistry, Vol. 28.3 J.Achrem-Achremowicz, Z. Janeczko, 2002. Betulina - prekursor nowych środków leczniczych. Farmacja Polska, Tom 58. 3. Y. Geun Shin, K. Hee Cho, S.M. Chung, J.. Graham, T.K. Das Gupta, J.M. Pezzuto, 1999. Determination of betulinic acid in mouse blood, tumor and tissue homogenates by liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry. Journal of Chromatography. 4. S. Jager, M.N. Laszczyk, A. Scheffler, 2008. A preliminary Pharmacokinetics Study of Betulin, the Main Pentacyclic Triterpene from Extract of Outer Bark of Birch (Betulae alba cortex). Molecules. 5. J. Sung Pyo, Si Hun Roh, D. Ki Kim, J. Gyun Lee, Y. Yook Lee, S. Sun Hong, S. Won Kwon, J. Hill Park, 2008. Anti-Cancer Effect of Betulin on a Human Lung Cancer Cell Line: A Pharmacoproteomic Approach Using 2D SDS PAGE Coupled with Nano-HPLC Tandem Mass Spectrometry. Planta Medica. 6. A.B. Shintyapina, E.E. Shults, N.I. Petrenko, N.V. Uzenkova, G.A. Tolstikov, N.V. Pronkina, V.S. Kozhevnikov, A.G. Pokrovsky, 2007. Effect of Nitrogen-Containing Derivatives of the Plant Triterpenes Betulin and Glycyrrhetic Acid on the Growth of MT-4, MOLT-4, CEM, and Hep G2 Tumor Cells. Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry, Vol. 33. 7. M. Drag, P. Surowiak, M. Drag-Zalesinska, M. Dietel, H. Lage, J. Oleksyszyn, 2009. Comparison of the Cytotoxic Effects of Birch Bark Extract, Betulin and Betulinic Acid Towards Human Gastric Carcinoma and Pancreatic Carcinoma Drug-sensitive and Drug-Resistant Cell Lines. Molecules. 8. S. Fulda, 2008. Betulinic Acid for Cancer Treatment and Prevention. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 9. D.S.H.L. Kim, J.M. Pezzuto, E.Pisha, 1998. Synthesis of Betulinic Acid Derivatives with Activity Against Human Melanoma. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters. 10. A.G. Pokrovskii, A.B. Shintyapina, N.V. Pronkina, V.S. Kozhevnikov, O.A. Plyasunova, E.E. Shults, G.A. Tolstikov, 2005. Activation of Apoptosis by Derivatives of Betulinic Acid in Human Tumor Cells in vitro. Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology. 11. J.H. Kessler, F.B. Mullauer, G.M. De Roo, J.P. Medema, 2006. Broad in vitro efficacy of plant-derived betulinic acid against cell lines derived from the most prevalent human cancer types. Cancer Letters 251 (2007). 12. M.L. Schmidt, K.L. Kuzmanoff, L. Ling-Indeck, J.M. Pezzuto, 2007. Betulinic Acid Induces Apoptosis in Human Neuroblastoma Cell Lines. European Journal of Cancer. 13. B. Zdzisińska, W. Rzeski, R. Paduch, A. Szuster-Ciesielska, J. Kaczor, K. Wejksza, M. Kandefer-Szerszeń, 2003. Differential Effect of Betulin and Betulinic Acid on Cytokine Production in Human Whole Blood Cell Cultures. Polish Journal of Pharmacology. 14. Y. Gong, K.M. Raj, C.A. Luscombe, I. Gadawski, T. Tam, J. Chu, D. Gibson, R. Carlson, S.L. Sacks, 2004. The Synergistic Effects of Betulin with Acyclovir against herpes simplex viruses. Antiviral Research 127-130. 15. N.I. Pavlova, O.V. Savinova, S.N. Nikolaeva, E.I. Boreko, O.B. Flekhter, 2003. Antiviral Activity of Betulin, Betulinic and Betulonic Acids Against Some Enveloped and Non-enveloped Viruses. Fitoterapia 74. 16. R.H. Cichewicz, S.A. Kouzi, 2003. Chemistry, Biological Activity, and Chemotherapeutic Potential of Betulinic Acid for the Prevention and Treatment of Cancer and HIV Infection. Medicinal Research Reviews, Vol.24. 17. T. Kamińska, J. Kaczor, W. Rzeski, K. Wiejksza, M. Kandefer-Szerszeń, M. Witek, 2004. A comparison of the antiviral activity of the three triterpenoids isolated from Betula alba bark. Annales Universitatis Mariae Curie-Skłodowska Lublin-Polonia, Vol.LIX. 18. S. Fontanay, M. Grare, J. Mayer, Ch. Finance, R.E. Duval, 2008. Ursolic, oleanolic and betulinic acids: Antibacterial spectra and selectivity indexes. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 19. J.C.P. Steele, D.C. Warhurst, G.C. Kirby, M.S.J. Simmonds, 1999. In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of Betulinic Acid as an Antimalarial. Phytotherapy Research. 20. R. Gautam, S.M. Jachak, 2009. Recent Developments in Anti-Inflammatory Natural Products. Medicinal Research Reviews. 21. A. Szuster-Ciesielska, M. Kandefer-Szerszeń, 2005. Protective effect of betulin and betulinic acid against ethanol-induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells. Pharmacological Reports. 22. L.P. Kovalenko, V.V. Balakshin, G.A. Presnova, A.N. Chistyakov, E.V. Shipaeva, S.V. Alekseeva, A.D. Durnev, 2007. Immunotoxicity and Allergenic Properties od Betulin-containing Birch Bark Dry Extract. Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal. 23. Eui-Chul Kim, Hyung-Suk Lee, S. Kwang Kim, Myoung-Suk Choi, S. Lee, Jae-Bok Han, Hyo-Jin An, Jae-Young Um, Hyung-Min Kim, Na-Youn Lee, H. Bae, Byung-Il Min, 2007. The Bark of Betula platyphylla var. Japonica inhibits the development od atopic-dermatitis-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 24. J.K. Adesanwo, O. Ekundayo, F.S. Oluwole, O.A. Olajide, A.J.J. Van Den Berge, J.A> Findlay, 2003. The effect of Tetracera potatoria and its constituent betulinic acid on gastric acid secretion and experimentally-induced gastric ulceration. Nigerian Journal of Physiological Sciences. 25. L. Vidya, P. Varalakshmi, 2000. Control of urinary risk factors of stones by betulin and lupeol in experimental hyperoxaluria. Fitoterapia 71. 26. K. Hiroya, T. Takahashi, N. Miura, A. Naganuma, T. Sakamoto, 2002. Synthesis of Betulin Derivatives and Their Protective Effects against the Cytotoxicity of Cadmium. Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry. 27. K. Yamashita, H. Lu, J. Lu, G. Chen, T. Yokoyama, Y. Sagara, M. Manabe, H. Kodama, 2002. Effect of three triterpenoids, lupeol, betulin, and betulinic acid on the stimulus-induced superoxide generation and tyrosyl phosphorylation of proteins in human neutrophils. Clinica Chimica Acta 325. 28. Gwon-Ryul Jung, Kyung-Jong Kim, Cheol-Hee Choi, Tae-Beum Lee, Song Iy Han, Hyo-Kyung Han and Sung-Chul Lim, 2007. Effect of Betulinic Acid on Anticancer Drug-Resistant Colon Cancer Cells.Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology. 29. C. Huyke, J. Reuter, M. Rödig, A. Kersten, M. Laszczyk, A. Scheffler, D. Nashan, C. Schempp, 2009. Treatment of actinic keratoses with a novel betulin based oleogel. A prospective, randomized, comparative pilot study. JDDG. 30. L.J. Shai, L.J. McGaw, M.A. Aderogba, L.K. Mdee, J.N. Eloff, 2008. Four pentacyclic triterpenoids with antifungal and antibacterial activity from Curtisia dentata (Burm.f) C.A. Sm. Leaves. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 31. B.R. Copp, A.N. Pearce, 2007. Natural product growth inhibitors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Natural Products Report. 32. R. Muceniece, K. Saleniece, U. Riekstina, L. Krigere, G. Tirzitis, J. Ancans, 2007. Betulin binds to melanocortin receptors and antagonizes a-melanocyte stimulating hormone-induced cAMP generation in mouse melanoma cells. Cell Biochem Funct.

Sylveco Company, Article: "Betulin" https://sylveco.pl/betulina/

Translated from Polish and curated by Alina Cosmetics

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Chaga Benefits & Birch Trees - 10 Reasons To Love Betulin

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Chaga benefits and betulin are closely related. Betulin or betulinic acid is an extract harvested from the birch bark. Chaga is a mushroom, a fungus living off the birch trees. Therefore Chaga also contains betulin. Many scientific studies confirmed and have shown that betulin has highly curative properties and even in a very high concentration, it is not toxic to the human body at all.

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I chose this picture, because this   is what is already going on in our planet in some places. If we continue the way that we're going, then its just going to get worse. Oceans will be filled with garbage causing all of the wildlife to come to an end, which would eventually make us come to an end.

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