Distribution of anticancer drug camptothecin in Nothapodytes foetida.

The topoisomerase I-DNA inhibitor alkaloid camptothecin has been evaluated from the various parts of Nothapodytes foetida. The bark contained 0.27% dry wt of camptothecin and 0.11% dry wt 9-methoxycamptothecin followed by the root, stem, and leaves. Immature seeds contained higher concentrations of camptothecin (0.32% dry wt) and 9-methoxycamptothecin (0.16% dry wt) compared to mature seeds. Various parts of mature and immature seeds were analysed to determine the content of the major alkaloids. Zygotic embryos of immature seeds contained 0.11% dry wt of camptothecin and 0.04% dry wt of 9-methoxycamptothecin. The highest concentration of camptothecin (0.42% dry wt) and 9-methoxycamptothecin (0.18% dry wt) were accumulated in the cotyledons of immature seeds.