[MPWG] tamoxifen v. taxol

[Patricia_DeAngelis at fws.gov]

I asked the following two questions of James Duke...

       Q: Tamoxifen - I understand it is a purely synthetic drug - was it
      based
       on taxol?

      A: TAMOXIPHEN IS UNRELATED TO TAXOL (THE LATTER OF WHICH OCCURS IN
      ALL TAXUS THIS FAR
      EXAMINED).

       Q. As I recall, you mentioned recently that although it is possible
      to synthesize
      taxol, it is still cheaper to harvest it from the wild.  Is this
      correct?

      A: SECOND QUESTION A BIT TOUGHER. SOME TAXOL IS SYNTHESIZED FROM
      STARTED
      MATERIALS INCLUDING YEW FOLIAGE STARTER MATERIALS. BUT EXTRACTION IS
      STILL
      ENERGETICALLY CHEAPER THAN TOTAL SYNTHESIS.
      [AKA: CHEAPER TO USE PRECURSORS FROM PLANTS]
      AS PRICE OF FUELS GO UP, PLANT-STARTED MATERIALS WILL BECOME
      ECONOMICALLY MORE ATTRACTIVE FOR MANY COMPLEX
      PHYTOCHEMICALS WHICH ARE DIFFICULT TO SYNTHESIZE.

      ALSO THIS QUOTE FROM FARNSWORTH HAS ALWAYS APPEALED TO ME:
      "FEWER THAN 10% OF THE NATURAL CHEMICALS WE USE AS MEDICINES
      ARE CHEAPER TO SYNTHESIZE THAN EXTRACT."

-Patricia

Patricia S. De Angelis, Ph.D.
Botanist - Division of Scientific Authority
Chair - Plant Conservation Alliance - Medicinal Plant Working Group
US Fish & Wildlife Service
4401 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 750
Arlington, VA  22203
703-358-1708 x1753
FAX: 703-358-2276
Working for the conservation and sustainable use of our green natural
resources.
<www.nps.gov/plants/medicinal>