Name:
Paclitaxel
Type:
Chemotherapeutic agent
AKA:
Taxol, Pacific Yew
Paclitaxel image
Taxus brevifolia - Pacific Yew
Paclitaxel image
Paclitaxel was first isolated from the bark of the Pacific yew tree in the 1960s. It has become a crucial chemotherapeutic agent for treating various cancers.
Paclitaxel history image
Paclitaxel works by inhibiting cell division, which makes it effective in stopping the growth of cancer cells.
Paclitaxel does not have psychoactive effects. It is used in chemotherapy to treat cancers such as ovarian, breast, and lung cancer.
The discovery of paclitaxel highlighted the importance of natural sources in the development of effective cancer treatments. Its extraction and synthesis have had a significant impact on oncology.