A toxic polycyclic substance, C22H22O8, with cathartic properties present in podophyllum; has antineoplastic action.
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podo·phyl·lo·tox·in .päd-ə-.fil-ə-'täk-sən n a crystalline polycyclic compound C22H22O8 constituting one of the active principles of podophyllum and podophyllin
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podo·phyl·lo·tox·in (pod″o-filґo-tok″sin) [Podophyllum + toxin] a highly toxic compound, the main active component of podophyllum; it has cathartic and antineoplastic properties. Less toxic derivatives such as etoposide and teniposide are used as antineoplastics. See also podofilox.Medical dictionary. 2011.