Distribution and variation of paclitaxel and cephalomannine contents in wild Taxus cuspidata

Abstract

Paclitaxel and cephalomannine contents in wild Taxus cuspidata were determined by HPLC. The results indicated that paclitaxel and cephalomannine contents in T. cuspidate at the sunny side were slightly higher than that at the shadow side in the current-year and biennial branches. Paclitaxel and cephalomannine contents had no obvious regularity in leaves. Paclitaxel and cephalomannine contents were both the highest in the bark, then in the current-year branches, lower in the current-year leaves, and the lowest in the fruits. There were no remarkable correlation between stem diameter and paclitaxel and cephalomannine contents in the current-year branches and leaves. Significant difference was observed among samples collected in different period, and higher paclitaxel and cephalomannine concentrations were detected at the dormancy stage than that at the flower and fruit stages.