What is "podophyllotoxin"

n. A toxin obtained from the rhizomes of some South American plants that is the base of the anticancer drug etoposide.

Podophyllotoxin (abbreviated as PPT), otherwise known as podofilox, is a non- alkaloid toxin lignan extracted from the roots and rhizomes of Podophyllum species. Under the trade names Condylox, a gel, and Wartec, a solution or cream, it is used on the skin as a topical treatment of external genital warts, caused by some types of the human papillomavirus (HPV), and other warts. PPT and its synthetic derivatives display a wide selection in medical applications such as purgative, vesicant, antirheumatic, antiviral, and antitumor agents. These derivatives include etoposide and teniposide. Their anticancer activity has been heavily under study and used in various chemotherapies, including lung cancer, lymphomas, and genital tumors.

Historically, podophyllin, a resin extracted from Podophyllum and Sinopodophyllum species, was also used.

It is on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, the most important medications needed in a basic health system.