Podophyllotoxin

Podophyllotoxin, otherwise known as podofilox is a non-alkaloid toxin in the lignan family present at concentrations of 0.3 to 1.0% by mass in the rhizome of American Mayapple Podophyllum peltatum. Another common source of podophyllotoxin are the rhizomes of Podophyllum hexandrum Royle (Berberidaceae).

It is synthetised biologically from two molecules of coniferyl alcohol by phenolic oxidative coupling and a series of oxidations, reductions and methylations

The melting point of Podophyllotoxin is 183.3 - 184.0 °C.

Podophyllotoxin is the pharmacological base for the important anti-cancer drug Etoposide.

It is also used as a gel or solution to treat genital warts.