Paclitaxel, 100 mg

This small molecule research compound from STEMCELL Technologies is a diterpene alkaloid originally isolated from the bark of the Pacific Yew tree (Taxus brevifolia). It binds to and stabilizes microtubules, preventing their reorganization during cell division, which leads to cell cycle arrest. The compound has antitumorigenic properties and has been used as a chemotherapeutic compound. Alternative names listed in the product documentation include NSC 125973 and Taxol™.

The product is supplied as a crystalline solid. Manufacturer specifications include a molecular weight of 853.9 g/mol, a CAS number of 33069-62-4, and a purity of ≥ 98%. Recommended storage is at -20°C as supplied, protected from prolonged exposure to light. Reported solubility limits are ≤ 5 mM in DMSO and ≤ 1.5 mM in absolute ethanol. The compound has low solubility in aqueous media, and for cell culture use the stock solution should be diluted into culture medium immediately before use; final DMSO concentration above 0.1% should be avoided due to potential cell toxicity.

Published research applications include differentiation studies, in which the compound inhibits initiation and outgrowth of neurites in vitro through microtubule polymerization. In cancer research, it inhibits tumor cell growth in a variety of cancer cell lines including cervical (HeLa), lung (A549), breast (MCF-7), colon (HT-29), ovarian (OVG-1), and pancreatic (PC-Sh) carcinomas, and induces abnormal multipolar spindle formation with cell cycle arrest at prophase and G1. The compound also initiates apoptosis of cancer cells through multiple mechanisms. STEMCELL Technologies notes the product is for research use only and not intended for human or animal diagnostic or therapeutic uses unless otherwise stated.