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podophyllotoxin

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pod·o·phyl·lo·tox·in (pd-fl-tksn)
n.
A toxic polycyclic substance having cathartic properties and antineoplastic activity.

podophyllotoxin
[pō′dōfil′ətok′sin]
Etymology: Gk, pous + phyllon, leaf, toxikon, poison
any one of a group of substances derived from the roots of Podophyllum peltatum, a common plant species known as mayapple or American mandrake. Podophyllin, a resinous preparation of podophyllotoxin, is prescribed in the topical treatment of condyloma acuminatum and other types of warts. Several podophyllotoxin derivatives have been used as purgatives and studied for their antineoplastic effects, including the inhibition of mitosis. Podophyllotoxins are not recommended for use in early pregnancy.

podophyllotoxin [pod″o-fil″o-tok´sin]
a highly toxic compound that is the main active component of podophyllum resin and has cathartic and caustic properties. Some of its less toxic derivatives, such as etoposide and teniposide, are used as antineoplastic agents.

podophyllotoxin
podophyllin resin.


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The researchers point out that podophyllotoxin is used in manufacturing etoposide, the active ingredient in a drug used for treating lung and testicular cancer.
Etoposide, a semi-synthetic derivative of podophyllotoxin, is associated with leukemias with MLL gene translocations and other translocations as a treatment complication.
For example, Mayapple (a forest herb) contains the chemical podophyllotoxin, which seems useful in treating skin cancer (Mayapple in the wild may be the only source of this chemical).
 
 
 
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