Mitotic inhibitors 

Mitotic inhibitors are drugs derived from natural plant sources. They inhibit cell division or mitosis, where a single cell divides into two genetically identical daughter cells. Mitotic inhibitors bind to tubulin and inhibit its polymerization into microtubules. Microtubules are structures responsible for pulling the cell apart when it divides. Mitotic inhibitors affect cancer cells more than normal cells because cancer cells divide (mitotic cell division) more rapidly therefore are more susceptible to mitotic inhibition.

Different mitotic inhibitors are used to treat particular types of cancers, such as leukemia, lymphoma, breast cancer, lung cancer and other types of cancers.

Examples of mitotic inhibitors frequently used in the treatment of cancer include paclitaxel, docetaxel, vinblastine, vincristine, and vinorelbine. Colchicine and griseofulvin are mitotic inhibitors used in the treatment of gout and nail fungus, respectively.

A group of mitotic inhibitors (vinblastine, vincristine, and vinorelbine) exert their cytotoxic effects by binding to tubulin. This inhibits formation of microtubules, causing metaphase arrest.