The present invention relates to an improved and economical process for the isolation
of anticancer agent Camptothecin from the twigs and stem of Nothapodytes foetida
using hot extraction 20(S) Camptothecin is an alkaloid, which contains a pentacyclic
ring system that includes a pyrrolo [3,4-b] quinoline moiety (ring A, B and C),
the pyridone ring D and a chiral center at C-20 in ring E.
