Three lignan derivatives, (-)-taxiresinol (1), (-)-3'-demethylisolariciresinol-9'-hydroxyisopropylether (2) and (-)-3-demethylisolariciresinol (3), previously isolated from the heart-wood of Taxus baccata L. (Taxaceae) were investigated for cytotoxicity against the Oncology Cell Line Panel (breast, colon, ovary, prostate, lung and a normal adult bovine aortic endothelial cell line) as well as f...

This study was proposed to investigate the in-vitro antifungal, antibacterial, insecticidal, cytotoxic and phytotoxic potential of ethanolic extract of twigs of Taxus wallichiana Zucc. Traditionally, this plant is used in folk medicines in Pakistan, for the treatment of various microbial infections. The crude sub fractions of ethanolic extracts of the plant were tested against six bacterial and...

The objective of this study was to isolate endophytic fungi producing paclitaxel from yew for the purpose of paclitaxel manufacture. Surface sterilized bark of Taxus wallichiana var. mairei was used as source material and potato dextrose agar culture medium was used in isolation of endophytic fungi. Fungal cultures were extracted with a mixture of chloroform / methanol (1:1, v/v) and the paclit...

Two 11(15-->1)abeotaxanes having a tetrahydrofuran ring along the carbon atoms C-2, C-3, C-4, C-20 were identified for the first time from the needles of the Canadian yew, Taxus canadensis. The compounds could be identified as 4alpha,10beta,13alpha-triacetoxy-15-benzoyloxy-2alpha,20beta-epoxy-11(15-->1)abeotax-11-ene-5alpha,7beta,9alpha-triol (1) and 4alpha,7beta,9alpha,10beta,15-pentaacetoxy-2...

—During research on black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus), we repeatedly observed a female American badger (Taxidea taxus) hunting prairie dogs on a colony in southern Phillips County, Montana. During 1–14 June 2006, we observed 7 aboveground attacks (2 successful) and 3 successful excavations of prairie dogs. The locations and circumstances of aboveground attacks suggested that the ...

Paclitaxel (Taxol®) is a potent anticancer agent, but the widespread pharmaceutical use of paclitaxel hampered by its limited availability due to low accumulation levels in native yew (Taxus spp.) plants. Currently, hairy root culture an emerging biotechnological tool that presents several advantages such as reduced costs and higher specialized metabolite production, therefore, application prod...

The SYNTAX trial, presented in the congresses of the European Society of Cardiology in Munich, Germany and the European Association of Cardiothoracic Surgery in Lisbon, Portugal in September 2008, is the first study to compare the clinical results of the best technology of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) using pharmacological stents (paclitaxel-eluding stent – Taxus, Boston Scientific...

Taxus baccata Linn., a tree which grows abundantly in India, has been reported to possess an antifertility effect (Kirtikar & Basu, 1935; Chopra, Nayar & Chopra, 1956; Chopra, Chopra, Handa & Kapoor, 1958; Chaudhury, 1966). Khanna, Garg, Vohora, Walia & Chaudhury (1969) recently reported that anti-implantation activity is present in the leaves. Possible anti-ovulatory activity of different extr...