Variation of Homoharringtonine Contents from Eight Natural Populations of Korean Native Plumyew Trees (Cephalotaxus koreana)

摘要

Homoharringtonine isolated from the plumyew tree (Cephalotaxus koreana) is currently considered as one of the most promising chemotherapeutic agents for anti-cancer. Variation of homoharringtonine contents from eight natural populations of Korean native plumyew trees was determined by HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography), and compared with the variation among populations, the variation of the different parts (needle, root, stem and seed), and the variation according to their ages and growthfeatures. Homoharringtonine contents among populations were significantly different with Mt. South Dukyu (1,048 u,g/g) having the highest and Mt. Obong having the lowest. The analyses of plant parts showed that the homoharringtonine contents were highestin plant needles (874 (ig/g), and followed by roots, stems and seeds. Homoharringtonine contents of the plumyew trees decreased about 30% in increment with their ages and growth.