The influence of ultraviolet radiation on the content of pharmacologically active taxoids in yew tissues.

The aim of the work was the investigation of the influence of UV radiation on the taxoids contents in yew tissues. The experiment was performed using Taxus baccata var. Aurea Corr. twigs irradiated with UV C (lambda = 254 nm) and UV A (lambda = 366 nm) in comparison to control samples. Multistep procedure of sample preparation was applied before the analysis of paclitaxel and 10-DAB III: SPE using alumina - for purification from the chlorophylles, waxes and polar balasts as well as zonal micropreparative TLC on silica - for isolation of partially separated fractions. The quantitation of some taxoids in the isolated fractions was performed using RP-HPLC procedure in system C18/acetonitrile + water. The experiments with UV-A and especially UV-C radiation showed changes in concentrations of paclitaxel and its precursor-10-deacetylbaccatin III. The results can be utilized to increase the yield of the taxoids isolated for medicinal and practical purposes.