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Camptotheca acuminata is one of three species of the genus Camptotheca within the family Tupelogewächse (Nyssaceae). It is native to the southern Chinese provinces of Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hunan and Yunnan.

Medicinal importance: Camptothecin, an alkaloid with special pharmaceutical importance, can be extracted from the bark and roots, seeds and wood, as well as (young) leaves of Camptotheca acuminata. The highest camptothecin content is found in the young leaves and flower buds. Camptothecin, which chemically belongs to the quinoline alkaloids, inhibits the enzyme topoisomerase I and has shown cytostatic efficacy in clinical studies. Further developments of camptothecin, the pharmaceuticals topotecan and irinotecan, are approved for the treatment of malignant tumors, but camptothecin itself is not approved due to its side effects (Legarza K et al. 2005).

1. Legarza K et al (2005) Novel camptothecin derivatives. In Vivo 19:283-292.