Patent Number: 6143304
Docket Number: 21498
Serial Number: 9376755
Date Patented: 11/07/2000

Technology Description: ARS researchers have developed a process to extract a natural product, called podophyllotoxin, from U.S.-native mayapple plants for use in making anti-cancer drugs.  Drug manufacturers currently use podophyllotoxin extracted from Podophyllum emodii (P. emodii), a plant found in the Himalayas. P. emodii has been declared endangered due to over collection of the native plant population. This simple method allows the compound to be extracted from dried plant leaves from mayapple Podophyllum peltatum (P. Peltatum). Previous attempts have been made to develop alternative and renewable sources for this compound, with no success. This method offers a renewable source for producing this compound, possibly making it easier to produce lifesaving anti-cancer drugs. Reference: Please refer to USPN 6,143,304 (Docket #0214.98), "Process for the Enzymatic Conversion of Podophyllotoxin Beta-Glucopyranosides and Other Podophyllum Glycosides to Their Corresponding Aglycons," which issued on November 7, 2000.  Foreign rights are not available. Inventors: Franck E. Dayan National Center for Natural Products Research Oxford, MS 38677 (662)232-1136 / Fax: (662)232-1035 fdayan@ars.usda.gov Camilo Canel University of Mississippi Oxford, MS 38655 (662)915-1039 / Fax: (662)232-1035 Rita M. Moraes University of Mississippi Oxford, MS 38655 (662)231-1147