3-Acetyl betulinaldehyde is a triterpene and derivative of the cholesterol biosynthesis inhibitor betulin that has been found in A. japonica.1 It is an intermediate in the synthesis of 3-acetylbetulinic acid, as well as various lupine and germanicane triterpenes and saponins with anticancer activity.2
1.Tung, N.H., Kwon, H.-J., Kim, J.-H., et al.An anti-influenza component of the bark of Alnus japonicaArch. Pharm. Res.33(3)363-367(2010)
2.Thibeault, D., Gauthier, C., Legault, J., et al.Synthesis and structure-activity relationship study of cytotoxic germanicane- and lupane-type 3β-O-monodesmosidic saponins starting from betulinBioorg. Med. Chem.15(18)6144-6157(2007)
