Author(s): S Karuppusamy and R Mohanraj

Abstract: In this study reported the two new plant sources for anticancer alkaloid Camptothecin (CPT) producing plants from southern Western Ghats namely Mycetia acuminata and Neurocalyx calycina (Rubiaceae). HPTLC profile of the N. calycina and M. acuminata showed the significant concentration of anticancer alkaloid were found in the plant parts. Roots of N. calycina were found to produce the highest content of CPT 0.233% (W/W) and followed by stem (90.152%) and leaves (0.024). Whereas in M. acuminata yielded comparatively the lower quantity of alkaloid content in roots (0.012%), stem (0.012%) and leaves (0.001%). Plant derived monoterpene pyrrolidine alkaloid camptothecin possessed to have unique antitumor activity. The compound is naturally distributed in several unrelated botanical groups with about 53 taxa of higher plant species. The market demand of CPT drug is urged to search the alternative sources of plant species and extraction technology. Hence the present study is added two more genera of Rubiaceae and summarized the CPT producing plants with distribution of anticancer drug in various plant taxa.