Biological activity and chemistry of taxoids from the Japanese yew, Taxus cuspidata

Approximately 120 taxoids have been isolated to date from the Japanese yew, Taxus cuspidata. These taxoids possess various skeletons containing 5/7/6-, 6/10/6-, 6/5/5/6-, 6/8/6-, or 6/12-membered ring systems. Among the taxoids, some non-paclitaxel-type compounds have been shown to reduce CaCl(2)-induced depolymerization of microtubules, increase cellular accumulation of vincristine in multidrug-resistant tumor cells, and exhibit potent cytotoxicity. Chemical derivatization of taxoids of T. cuspidata is also reviewed.