Podophyllotoxin

Podophyllotoxin, otherwise known as podofilox, is a non-alkaloid toxin in the lignan family present at concentrations of 0.3 to 1.0% by mass in the rhizome of American Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum). Another common source of podophyllotoxin is the rhizomes of Podophyllum hexandrum Royle (Berberidaceae).

Additional recommended knowledge

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It is synthetised biologically from two molecules of coniferyl alcohol by phenolic oxidative coupling and a series of oxidations, reductions and methylations

The melting point of Podophyllotoxin is 183.3 - 184.0 °C. ^[1]

Podophyllotoxin is the pharmacological base for the important anti-cancer drug etoposide. ^[2]

It is also used as a gel or solution to treat genital warts.^[3]

References

1. ^ Podophyllum (PIM 427). Retrieved on 2007-12-03.
2. ^ Gordaliza M, García PA, del Corral JM, Castro MA, Gómez-Zurita MA (2004). "Podophyllotoxin: distribution, sources, applications and new cytotoxic derivatives". Toxicon 44 (4): 441–59. doi:10.1016/j.toxicon.2004.05.008. PMID 15302526.
3. ^ Xie FM, Zeng K, Chen ZL, et al (2007). "[Treatment of recurrent condyloma acuminatum with solid lipid nanoparticle gel containing podophyllotoxin: a randomized double-blinded, controlled clinical trial]" (in Chinese). Nan Fang Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao 27 (5): 657–9. PMID 17545082.

• Canel, C; Moraes, RM; Dayan, FE; Ferreira, D (2000). "Molecules of Interest: Podophyllotoxin". Phytochemistry 54 (2): 115-120.
• J. L. Hartwell, A. W. Schrecker (1951). "Components of Podophyllin. V. The Constitution of Podophyllotoxin". Journal of the American Chemical Society 73 (6): 2909 - 2916. doi:10.1021/ja01150a143.