Chemical constituents of Taxus species

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the genus, Taxus, which belongs to the family, Taxaceae, and consists of much branched trees or shrubs. The chapter also covers phytochemical investigations on ten Taxus species have resulted in the isolation of nearly three hundred and fifty compounds belonging to the classes of taxanes, lignans, flavonoids, steroids, sugar derivatives, aromatic acids, etc. Last few years have witnessed a revolution in the phytochemistry of the yew tree; it is evident from the figures that out of the 246 references cited in the review presented in the chapter, 151 range in the period 1990–1996. Pharmaceutical industries are concentrating too much on this genus to obtain paclitaxel (taxol) and equivalent compounds of paclitaxel. The way the yew trees are being cut world-wide to obtain this drug, it is estimated that the source of supply would last for only 5–10 years and it cannot be regarded as an environmentally acceptable source. Thus, this area demands still more intensive research to make it fruitful and the updated and comprehensive review presented in the chapter will help fellow scientists in locating information in one source.