Taxus brevifolia otherwise known as Pacific yew or Western yew is a conifer and originates from the Pacific Northwest of North America. The chemotheraphy drug paclitaxel (taxol) is derived from Pacific Yew. This is the most well known cancer drug and the molecule important in the fight against cancer is 10-deacetyl-baccatin III. Pacific Yew was already scarce when its potential to fight against cancer was discovered and as a result scientists not derive the taxol needed to fight cancer from close relatives of the plant.
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Leave a Reply