[Investigating cytostatic substances in tissue of plants Maytenus Molina in in-vitro cultures. II. chromatographic test of extracts from callus of Maytenus wallichiana R. et B].

Maytenus wallichiana callus tissue was extracted. The extract was fractionated to achieve maytansine containing residue. In none of the fractions maytansine corresponding substance was found. However evaluation by Tetrahymena test indicated strong cytotoxicity (ID50 1.8 micrograms/cm3). Chromatography of biologically active fractions demonstrated the presence of colour chinone methide triterpenes (tingenone).