Taxus wallichiana (Zucc.), an Endangered Anti-Cancerous Plant: A Review

Abstract

Taxus one of the slow growing species, is found to be the major source of Taxol (anti-cancer agent). Since very less is known about the biology of Taxus genus alongside the controversies going on with the species, profitable mechanism for large scale Taxol production is still in debate. Commercially, Taxol synthesis is unlikely because of the limited sources and probability of over consumption of natural product, which would be an issue concerning the endangered species of Taxus like Taxus wallichiana. The only possible alternative way for high production of Taxol is by generating Taxol in plant-based mediums without exploiting the plant in its natural vegetation. Before that, one should have detailed understanding about Taxus. Here, in this study Taxus wallichiana, an endangered Taxus species, native to Nepal has been briefly reviewed.