Abstract:

Camptotheca acuminata Decne. (Nyssaceae) is a major source of the anticancer camptothecin (CPT). It is important to understand how CPT accumulates in C. acuminata in order to improve CPT production strategies. The aim of this study was to anatomically and morphologically characterize the secretory structure in leaves and stems of C. acuminata and determine their relationship to accumulation of CPT. Secretory canals and glandular trichomes were found in young stems and young leaves. Secretory canals consisted of a sub-epidermal canal delimited by one to two layers of cells. Glandular trichomes were unicellular. Fluorescence microscopy and CPT analysis showed that CPT was primarily accumulated in secretory canals and glandular trichomes of leaves and stems.

Key words: Camptotheca acuminata , secretory structures, camptothecin (CPT), fluorescence microscopy