摘要
Maytansine （I） (C34H46CIN3O10) is a novel type of ansa macrolide with potent antitumor activity. It was isolated by Kupchan et al. with great efforts from several Maytenus species （0.2 p.p.m.—1.5 p.p.m, dried plant material） collected in Kenya and Ethiopia. It showed highly inhibitory activity against several experimental tumors （L-1210, P-388, W-256, S-180, Lewis lung carcinoma and B-16 melanocarcinoma） at the level of micrograms per kilogram body weight and the safety dosage ranging about 50—100 folds. Therefore, maytansine has been considered as one of the most promising anticancer agent of natural origin, attracting the interest of many relevant scientists.
