Screening of the needles of different yew species and cultivars for paclitaxel and related taxoids.
The needles of several yew species and cultivars were analysed by high-pressure liquid chromatography for paclitaxel, 10-deacetylpaclitaxel, cephalomannine, baccatin III, 10-deacetylbaccatin III and brevifoliol. About 750 samples were collected from five different locations in the Netherlands and the UK. The results of this screening show a large variation in taxane content between the different species and cultivars. The content of paclitaxel and 10-deacetylbaccatin III varied from 0 to 500 micrograms/g and 0 to 4800 micrograms/g dried needles, respectively. Brevifoliol was found in a very high concentration in Taxus brevifolia. 10-Deacetylpaclitaxel, cephalomannine and baccatin III were found in concentrations ranging from 0 to 500 micrograms/g dried needles.
van Rozendaal
E L
EL
Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Phytochemical Section, Wageningen Agricultural University, Netherlands.
Lelyveld
G P
GP
van Beek
T A
TA
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000032:analysis*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D013045:Species Specificity; D014197:Trees / Q000737:chemistry*
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D017239:Paclitaxel