| Camptotheca | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Camptotheca acuminata | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Cornales |
| Family: | Nyssaceae |
| Genus: | Camptotheca Decne. |
| Species | |
Camptotheca acuminata | |
Camptotheca (happy tree,cancer tree, ortree of life) is a genus of medium-sizeddeciduoustrees growing to 20 metres (66 ft) tall, native to southernChina and Tibet. The genus is usually included in thetupelo familyNyssaceae, but sometimes included (with the tupelos) in thedogwood familyCornaceae.
The name "happy tree" is a direct translation of theChinese namexǐ shù (Simplified Chinese:喜树).
There are two species:
The bark and stems ofC. acuminata contain thealkaloidcamptothecin.[1] Several chemicalderivatives of camptothecin are under investigation for or used as drugs for cancer treatment, includingirinotecan,topotecan,rubitecan.[2]
C. acuminata also contains the chemical compoundstrifolin andhyperoside.[1]
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| Other | |
