Alkaloids derived from tree bark destroy cancer cells

Tree bark acts as an important chemical defence mechanism against pests. When a plant comes under threat from bacteria or an insect, alkaloids secreted by the plant may, for example, inhibit cell division or the activity of DNA in the insect, preventing reproduction. This is the operating mechanism of paclitaxel and camptothecin, two compounds isolated from the bark of different trees and developed into effective anticancer drugs. Data analyses and databases have now become available to help identify bioactive compounds in trees and other plants.