Sites of accumulation of the antitumor alkaloid camptothecin in Camptotheca acuminata. Academic Article

abstract

• Camptothecin is an anticancer and anti-viral alkaloid produced by the Chinese tree Camptotheca acuminata (Nyssaceae). Despite previous reports of low levels of anticancer activity in leaves of Camptotheca acuminata, we have discovered that camptothecin accumulates to approximately 0.4% of the dry weight of young leaves. This level is 1.5-fold higher than that of the seeds and 2.5-fold higher than that of the bark, the two currently used sources of the drug. As the leaves mature, the concentration and absolute amount of camptothecin decreases rapidly. The high levels of camptothecin in young leaves could provide an easily harvested, non-destructive source of this important drug.

authors

• Mcknight, Thomas
• Nessler, Craig

published proceedings

• Planta Med

author list (cited authors)

• Lpez-Meyer, M., Nessler, C. L., & McKnight, T. D.

citation count

• 83

complete list of authors

• López-Meyer, M||Nessler, CL||McKnight, TD

publication date

• January 1994

publisher

• Thieme  Publisher

published in

• Planta Medica: natural products and medicinal plant research  Journal

keywords

• Camptothecin
• Trees

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

• 10.1055/s-2006-959571

start page

• 558

end page

• 560

volume

• 60

issue

• 6