Abstract: On the basis of the literature research,this paper summarized the studies on the active components and derivatives of Taxus.The results showed that diterpenoids,lignins,polysaccharides were found from the bark,needles,branches and leaves,endophytic fungas of Taxus,which arised the effects of inhibiting the cancer cell lines of prostate,cervical,ovarian cystadenocarcinoma,lung,gastric,liver,melanin,tongue squamous,renal,colon,intestine,breast and leukemiafrom and had some potential value as lead compounds.A series of active anti-tumor components such as fluorine-containing docetaxel,ferrocenyl-paclitaxel,oxadiazole-docetaxel,pyridine-paclitaxel,quinoline-docetaxel,alkylated docetaxel and propylene/propylene-docetaxel derivatives,and monomer compounds of larotaxe,carbazitaxe,5-oxo-13-TBDMS-taxchinin A,5-oxo-13,15-epoxy-13-epi-taxchinin A,which had higher activities and lower side effects,were found by modifying the structure of taxanes in C-1,C-2,C-7,C-8,C-10,C-13,C-14,C-2′ and C-3′,which provided the new medicine sources for clinical application.

Key words: Taxus, anti-tumor, active components, derivatives, review