spindle

(-)-Epipodophyllotoxin (2) is an antiproliferative agent targeting cancer cells, exhibiting GI50 values of 0.36 μM in HeLa cells and 0.24 μM in MCF-7 cells, and inhibiting mitotic spindle assembly in vitro.

Podofilox ((+)-Shikonin) is a lignan (LIGNANS) found in PODOPHYLLIN resin from the roots of PODOPHYLLUM plants. It is a potent spindle poison, toxic if taken internally, and has been used as a cathartic. It is very irritating to skin and mucous membranes, has keratolytic actions, has been used to treat warts and keratoses, and may have antineoplastic properties, as do some of its congeners and derivatives.

Hemiasterlin is a cytotoxic peptide that acts by inducing mitotic arrest and abnormal spindle formation.