Podophyllum resin, derived from the roots and rhizomes of the plant Podophyllum peltatum (mayapple), has been investigated for its cytotoxic properties, particularly its ability to inhibit the growth of abnormal cells. Its primary active ingredient, podophyllotoxin, disrupts microtubule assembly, thereby inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Clinically, topical podophyllin preparations have a long-established use in the treatment of genital warts caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus also implicated in cervical dysplasia. This parallel provided the rationale for exploring podophyllum-based therapies in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).

Several small clinical studies and case series from the 1980s and 1990s investigated the topical application of podophyllin resin to the cervix in women with low-grade cervical dysplasia (CIN 1 and 2). Some demonstrated regression rates superior to placebo, but these studies were limited by small sample sizes, lack of blinding, and concerns about local toxicity and systemic absorption. Podophyllin is known to be potentially toxic, with risks of severe local tissue necrosis, systemic toxicity, and even death if misused.

Due to these safety concerns and the development of more selective and safer ablative and excisional techniques (e.g., cryotherapy, LEEP), podophyllum is not commonly recommended in modern clinical guidelines for cervical dysplasia. While there is scientific rationale and some historical clinical use, contemporary evidence is limited, and safety concerns restrict its current role to research rather than standard care.