Rapid Micro-Assay of Camptothecin in Camptotheca acuminata

Abstract

A micro-assay has been developed to extract and rapidly quantify the anticancer alkaloid, camptothecin (CPT), from two leaf disks of Camptotheca acuminata Decaisne (Nyssaceae). This assay utilizes thin-layer chromatography in conjunction with fluorescence imaging to obtain reproducible measurements in the nanogram range. A large number of trees can be screened using this procedure to identify high producers of CPT in a relatively short period of time.

Abbreviations

CPT:camptothecin

DCM:dichloromethane

HPLC:high performance liquid chromatography

TLC:thin-layer chromatography

TOPI:topoisomerase I

References

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