title: Cytotoxic terpene quinones from marine sponges.
abstract: The 1,4-benzoquinone moiety is a common structural feature in a large number of compounds that have received considerable attention owing to their broad spectrum of biological activities. The cytotoxic and antiproliferative properties of many natural sesquiterpene quinones and hydroquinones from sponges of the order Dictyoceratida, such as avarol, avarone, illimaquinone, nakijiquinone and bolinaquinone, offer promising opportunities for the development of new antitumor agents. The present review summarizes the structure and cytotoxicity of natural terpenequinones/hydroquinones and their bioactive analogues and derivatives.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmacy Faculty, Salamanca University, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain. mliza@usal.es
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gordaliza
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; D006801:Humans; D006873:Hydroquinones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D015394:Molecular Structure; D011161:Porifera / Q000737:chemistry*; D011809:Quinones / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013729:Terpenes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D006873:Hydroquinones; D011809:Quinones; D013729:Terpenes