An overview of taxus

Abstract

Plants synthesize certain Phytoconstituents for their protection, which, because they are not of primary need, are known as secondary metabolites. Plant cell factories constitute an alternative source of high added value phytochemical. These secondary metabolites of plants have often been found to have medicinal uses for human beings. One such gymnosperm having secondary metabolites of medicinal potential for humans is Taxus wallichiana (Himalayan yew). this plant has been investigated for its essential oil, diterpenoids, lignans, steroids, sterols and biflavonoids. Traditionally, it is used to treat disorders of the digestive, respiratory, nervous and skeletal systems. Although pharmacologically underexplored, it has been used for antiepileptic, anti-inflammatory,anticancer, antipyretic, analgesic, immunomodulatory and antimicrobial activities. The present review compiles traditional uses, phytochemical constituents (specifically the secondary metabolites) pharmacological activities and the toxicity of T. wallichiana. This review is focused on recent advances in the production of taxol and related taxanes in Taxus baccata, After a short overview of taxol production at an industrial level, the review focuses on taxol biosynthesis in plant cells and the attempts to produce taxol in T. baccata cell cultures, giving particular emphasis to the optimization steps that have improved production, and including the most recently developed new tools and Taxines are the active, poisonous constituents in yew plants (Taxus spp.) and have been implicated in animal and human poisonings.

Keywords: Taxus wallichiana; plants, medicinal; diterpenes; lignans; biflavonoids; pharmacological effect; Taxol; Secondary compounds.