Camptothecin is an anticancer quinoline alkaloid effective against colon cancer. It acts by inhibition of the enzyme DNA topoisomerase I. A comparative study of camptothecin from the indigenous plants namely Nothapodytes foetida, Ophiorrhiza mungos and Ophiorrhiza rugosa indicated highest yields of camptothecin and 9-methoxy camptothecin in N. foetida. The other two plants O. mungos and O. rugosa contained low levels of alkaloids.