• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.94 no.6
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• pp.397-401
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• 2005

Homoharringtonine isolated from the plumyew tree (Cephalotaxus koreana) is currently considered as one of the most promising chemotherapeutic agents for anti-cancer. Variation of homoharringonine contents from eight natural populations of Korean native plumyew trees was determined by HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography), and compared with the variation among populations, the variation of the different parts(needle, root, stem and seed), and the variation according to their ages and growth features. Homoharringonine contents among populations were significantly different with Mt. South Dukyu ($1,048{\mu}g/g$) having the highest and Mt. Obong having the lowest. The analyses of plant pans showed that the homoharringtonine contents were highest in plant needles ($874{\mu}g/g$), and followed by roots, stems and seeds. Homoharringtonine contents of the plumyew trees decreased about 30% in increment with their ages and growth.

• 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.