Cephalotaxus Species

Cephalotaxus harringtonia has created interest in the scientific community as it contains anticancer properties. Homoharringtonine, an alkaloid isolated from Cephalotaxus harringtonia, was recently approved by US FDA for the treatment of adult patients with chronic myeloid leukemia. Cephalotaxus oliveri Masters (Cephalotaxaceae) is a scarce medicinal conifer endemic to the south central region of China and Vietnam. It is a tertiary species of Cephalotaxus and is well known for producing the alkaloids harringtonine, homoharringtonine, and flavonoids, which are effective against leucocythemia and lymphangiosarcoma. Homoharringtonine, harringtonine, and isoharringtonine were obtained from Cephalotaxus harringtonia, active against murine leukemias, L1210 and P388, and KB cells. Homoharringtonine was also active against colon tumors, melanoma, and leukemia in mice. The root cultures contained higher levels of harringtonine and homoharringtonine compared to the callus cultures.