Botanical Overview
Camptotheca acuminata, commonly known as Happy tree or Cancer tree, belongs to the family Nyssaceae. It is native to Central and Eastern China and is valued mainly for its bark, leaves, and wood. The tree is notable for its potent bioactive compounds with antineoplastic properties, which have led to the development of important chemotherapy drugs.
Energetics
Energetic properties including temperature, moisture, tastes, directionality, tonicity, and qi/blood/fluid associations have not been established for Camptotheca acuminata.
Primary Actions
- Antineoplastic
- Antiviral
- Cytotoxic
- Immunomodulatory
Indications
Western
- Malignant tumors (e.g., leukemia, ovarian, colorectal, lung cancers)
- Viral infections
Syndromes
- Various cancers treated by camptothecin derivatives
TCM
Specific symptom and syndrome indications are not well documented.
Ayurveda
Traditional uses and syndromes are not established.
Unani
Traditional uses and syndromes are not established.
Constituents & Mechanisms
Key phytochemicals include the alkaloid camptothecin and its derivatives, which exert cytotoxic effects by inhibiting topoisomerase I, leading to DNA damage in cancer cells.
Dosage & Preparations
- Extracts standardized to camptothecin content (medical use only)
- No traditional oral dosage forms established due to toxicity
Safety & Contraindications
This plant and its derivatives have significant toxicity and must be used with caution. Contraindicated in pregnancy and lactation. Avoid use in patients with bone marrow suppression. Interactions with other cytotoxic agents can increase toxicity risks.
Astrological Correspondences
No clearly established planetary or elemental rulers documented in credible traditional or modern sources.
Selected References
- Camptothecin: A novel cytotoxic chemotherapy drug from a natural product (Wall ME, Wani MC, 1986)
- Medicinal Plants of China (Jin Yu, 2003)
- Phytochemistry and pharmacology of Camptotheca acuminata (Chen et al., 2012)