What is Camptothecin?

About Camptothecin:

• Camptothecin (CPT) is an important anti-cancer drug lead molecule for high-value drugs like Topotecan and Irinotecan.
• It is a potent topoisomerase I inhibitor extracted mainly from - Camptotheca acuminata (native to Eastern Asia) and Nothapodytes nimmoniana (native to India).
• It is majorly produced in the Southeast Asian region, with the plant being largely found only in China and India.
• However, the conjunction of climate change and extensive deforestation undertaken for CPT extraction has pushed these plants into the endangered species category.

Key facts about Nothapodytes nimmoniana

• It is an endangered forest plant and disseminated in Sri Lanka, China, South East Asia, Taiwan, North Sumatra, Luzon Philippines and India.
• In India, this plant is prevalent to Western Ghats of Maharashtra, Goa, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala and also found in Assam and Jammu and Kashmir.
• It is native to India and especially found in the Western Ghats region.
• The allopathic medicine is produced using Nathapodytes nimmoniana.
• The plant contains camptothecin (CPT) which is a renowned anticancer drug.
• The CPT is found in many plant species but maximum amount of CPT has been reported from N. nimmoniana.
• It requires nearly 1,000 tonnes of plant material to extract 1 tonne of CPT. 
• The International Union for Conservation of Nature has red-listed the plant as in the past decade alone there has been a 20% decline in the plant’s population.  
• Due to the very good source of CPT, this plant has been explored for its Phytochemical, Biotechnological and Pharmacological aspects.