ANTICANCER DRUGS

1- Catharanthus roseus
2- Podophyllum
3- Colchicum
 1- Catharanthus
Common name: Rosy periwinkle or old maid
Botanical origin: Catharanthus roseus
Family: Apocynaceae
Part used: Crude extract
Constituents:
150 alkaloids has been isolated,most important are
1- Vincristine
2- Vinblastine
•
Structure:
 Uses:

• Vincristine is used in breast cancer.

• Vinblastine is used in Hodgkin disease and
choriocarcinoma.
• Both are antimitotic resulting in tumour
cell death during replication.
 2- Podophyllum

• Common name: May-apple root

• Botanical origin: Podophyllum
paltatum
• Family: Podophyllaceae
• Part used: Dried roots and rhizome
Constituents:-
The active principle of podophyllum is:
Podophyllin
Structure:-
 Uses:-
• 1- It is used in the treatment of
a) Small cell lung cancer
b) Testicular cancer
c) Lymphoma
d) Leukemia
 3- Colchicum

• Common name: Autumn crocus corm

• Botanical origin: Colchicum
autumnale
• Family: Liliaceae
• Part used: Fresh entire corm
 Constituents:
• Colchicum contain:
• Colchicine
• Other alkaloids 0.2 to 1.0%
Structure:
 Uses:
• Colchicine is mitotic inhibitor and
is used in malignant tumour.