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DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-959571
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York
Sites of Accumulation of the Antitumor Alkaloid Camptothecin in Camptotheca acuminata
Publication History
1994
1994
Publication Date:
05 January 2007 (online)
![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/plantamedica/199406/lookinside/thumbnails/10.1055-s-2006-959571-1.jpg)
Abstract
Camptothecin is an anticancer and antiviral 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.
Key words
Camptothecin - 10-hydroxycamptothecin - Camptotheca acuminata - Nyssaceae - indole alkaloids