23. The anti-cancerous drug vincristine is obtained frorn-
(1) Catharanthus (2) Taxus
(3) Aribidposis (4) Cochicum
Correct answer: (1) Catharanthus
Explanation:
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Vincristine is a vinca alkaloid, an anti-cancer drug obtained from the plant Catharanthus roseus (formerly Vinca rosea), commonly known as the Madagascar periwinkle.
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(2) Taxus is the source of Taxol (paclitaxel), another anticancer drug but unrelated to vincristine.
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(3) Arabidopsis is a model plant species, not a source of vincristine.
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(4) Cochicum (Colchicum) produces colchicine, used in gout and cancer, but not vincristine.
Option-wise:
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(1) Catharanthus — Correct.
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(2) Taxus — Incorrect for vincristine.
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(3) Arabidopsis — Incorrect.
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(4) Cochicum — Incorrect.
Vincristine, a potent chemotherapy agent effective against various cancers, is isolated from Catharanthus roseus, the Madagascar periwinkle, differentiating it from Taxus and Cochicum plants which produce other distinct anticancer compounds.
