PJB-2022-76
Paclitaxel content in various parts of Taxus wallichiana from moist temperate forests of Swat and Hazara, Pakistan
Nasreen Ghaffar, Linda S. Lee, Bushra Khan, Hizbullah Khan, Javaid Iqbal, Ishaq Ahmad Mian, Shumaila Ihtisham, Rukhsana, Iftikhar Ahmad and Shah Khalid
Abstract
Paclitaxel, isolated from Taxus wallichiana, has clinically been used as a standard anticancer agent. Although Paclitaxel has been quantified in species from forests in different countries of the world and its concentration show variation with environmental factors, no studies have been conducted on it in Pakistan. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Paclitaxel and quantify its concentration in various parts of T. wallichiana, sampled from Hazara and Swat Forest Divisions, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. Paclitaxel levels in 119 samples (leaves, stem, bark, and root) of T. wallichiana were measured and compared within and between the two forest divisions. Extraction of biomass was accomplished using Ultrasound-assisted ethanol extraction and liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection analysis after an ENVI-Carb cleanup step. Paclitaxel content (wt %) measured in plant biomass followed; roots (0.023 ± 0.018) > bark (0.014 ± 0.013) > leaf (0.011 ± 0.006) > stem (0.006 ± 0.006) samples. A significant difference (p<0.05) was observed in Paclitaxel content between the two Forest Divisions. The mean Paclitaxel content for different plant parts was significantly greater for trees from Hazara Forests compared to Swat Forests. T. wallichiana can be grown in its natural zones “Hazara Forests” for a high yield of Paclitaxel.
To Cite this article:
Ghaffar, N., L.S. Lee, B. Khan, H. Khan, J. Iqbal, I.A. Mian, S. Ihtisham, Rukhsana, I. Ahmad and S. Khalid. 2023. Paclitaxel content in various parts of Taxus wallichiana from moist temperate forests of Swat and Hazara, Pakistan. Pak. J. Bot., 55(5): DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30848/PJB2023-5(20)
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