Q.71 Taxol medicine used in treatment of cancer is extracted from:
1. Taxus brevifolia
2.Ephedra sp.
3. Pinus roxburghii
4. Catharanthus roseus
Taxol, a key chemotherapy drug for cancer treatment, is extracted from the Pacific yew tree, Taxus brevifolia. This makes option 1 the correct answer in this multiple-choice question.
Question Breakdown
Taxol (paclitaxel) targets cancer by stabilizing microtubules, halting cell division in tumors like those in breast, ovarian, and lung cancers.
Option Analysis
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Taxus brevifolia: Correct. This Pacific yew species provides Taxol from its bark, first isolated in 1971; harvesting once killed trees, but now semi-synthesis aids supply.
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Ephedra sp.: Incorrect. Yields ephedrine, used for asthma, colds, or as a stimulant, not cancer drugs.​
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Pinus roxburghii: Incorrect. A chir pine tree valued for timber and resin, unrelated to Taxol production.​
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Catharanthus roseus: Incorrect. Madagascar periwinkle source of vincristine and vinblastine for leukemia and lymphoma, but not Taxol.​
Taxol medicine used in cancer treatment stands out as a breakthrough from nature, primarily extracted from Taxus brevifolia, the Pacific yew tree. This chemotherapy agent revolutionized oncology by targeting rapidly dividing cancer cells.
What is Taxol and Its Cancer-Fighting Role?
Taxol medicine used in cancer treatment refers to paclitaxel, which binds microtubules to block cell division, effective against breast, ovarian, lung, and other cancers. Approved in 1993, it remains on the WHO’s essential medicines list despite supply challenges.
Correct Source: Taxus Brevifolia Extraction
Taxus brevifolia bark yields Taxol at low levels (0.02% by weight), sparking early conservation issues as harvesting killed trees. Modern methods use needles or semi-synthesis from precursors, balancing efficacy and ecology.
Why Other Options Fail
| Option | Plant Details | Medicinal Use | Relevance to Taxol |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ephedra sp. | Desert shrub | Ephedrine for asthma, congestion ​ | None; no anticancer taxanes. |
| Pinus roxburghii | Himalayan pine | Resin, timber | No Taxol compounds ​. |
| Catharanthus roseus | Periwinkle | Vincristine for leukemia ​ | Alkaloids differ from Taxol ​. |
These plants offer other therapies but not Taxol medicine used in cancer treatment.​
Taxol’s Legacy in GATE Life Sciences
For exams like GATE Life Sciences, knowing Taxol medicine used in cancer treatment extracted from Taxus brevifolia tests plant-derived drug knowledge, linking botany and pharmacology. Production innovations continue to enhance accessibility.
