- contains the toxic purgative, PODOPHYLLOTOXIN - podophyllotoxin = rich in foliage and root area of may apple - podophyllotoxin INHIBITS MITOSIS by binding to microtubules - because of its property, it is the interest of scientist in TREATING CANCER - At high doses or overdosage, nausea and severe PAROXYSMAL VOMITING (time to time vomit)