• KSBB Journal
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.689-695
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• 1996

Harringtonine and homoharringtonine known as anti-cancer agents were isolated from Korean native plumyew(Cephalotaxus koreana) using column chromatography(CHCl3:MeOH=19:1, Rf=0.28). The structure of the mixture of two compounds was characterized by 1H-NMR. Comparison of our spectra of harringtonine and homoharringtonine with previously reported ones indicated that the two are identical. The contents of harringtonine and homoharringtonine in the needles, stems, and roots of Korean native plumyew were determined by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). The contents of both compounds varied with the site of location and the part of plant. The content of harringtonine was higher in needles and roots than in stems, whereas the content of homoharringtonlne was lower than harringtonine. Homoharringtonine contents in needles at Mt. Palgong, Mt. Dukyu, Mt. Baekyang, Mt. Jiri, and Namhae were higher than in stems and roots. But homoharringtonine contents in needles al Mt. Jokye and Jindo were lower than in stems and roots.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.434-437
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• 2000

The contents and composition of alkaloids homoharringtonine, harringtonine, and cephalotaxine were determined in Korean native plumyew tree (Cephalotaxus koreana) collected from 17 different sites in Korea. The alkaloid contents of C. koreana varied with locations and plant populations from 11.8 mg/g to 195.2 mg/g of dry weight while C. koreana in southern area had higher alkaloid contents. The alkaloid compositions in C. koreana were highest with homoharringtonine (40%) and followed harringtonine (32%) and cephalotaxine (28%). Total alkaloids and homoharringtonine contents in needles were higher than those of stem by 2 fold. Alkaloid contents of C. koreana were the highest in winter, and the lowest in summer. Comparison of alkaloid contents and composition with other species of Cephalotaxus revealed that C. koreana was different to C. harringtonia, and contents of homoharringtonine were higher than other species. C. koreana could be potential source for homoharringtonine and related alkaloids.