Podophyllotoxin

Podophyllotoxin is a lignan (LIGNANS) found in PODOPHYLLIN resin from the roots of PODOPHYLLUM plants. It is a potent spindle poison, toxic if taken internally, and has been used as a cathartic. It is very irritating to skin and mucous membranes, has keratolytic actions, has been used to treat warts and keratoses, and may have antineoplastic properties, as do some of its congeners and derivatives. (In Vitro) :Podophyllotoxin, a kind of non-alkaloid toxin lignan extracted from the roots and rhizomes of Podophyllum plant, has been shown to inhibit the growth of various carcinoma cells. Podophyllotoxin is a natural product that inhibits the polymerization of tubulin and has served as a prototype for the development of diverse antitumor agents in clinical use.