Dysoxylum binectariferum Hook.f (Meliaceae), a rich source of rohitukine.

Rohitukine, a chromane alkaloid, is a precursor of flavopiridol, a promising anti-cancer compound.Currently in Phase III clinical trials, flavopiridol is a potent inhibitor of several cyclin-dependentkinases (CDKs). Rohitukinewas first reported fromAmoora rohituka (0.083% dryweight) followedby that in Dysoxylum binectariferum (0.9% dry weight), both belonging to the family Meliaceae.Here, we report incredibly high yields of rohitukine (7% dry weight) in trees of D. binectariferumfrom theWestern Ghats, India. Crude extracts of the treewere found to be highly effective againstovarian and breast cancer lines tested.