Chemical and biological significance of naphthoquinones. Literature review [Importancia química y biológica de naftoquinonas. Revisión bibliográfica]

The naphthoquinones are widely distributed in nature; recent research has demonstrated their wide range of biological activity. These compounds have been used in traditional medicine as antibacterial, antifun-gal, antimalarial and anticancer, among others. These oxidation-reduction properties as well as their acid- base capacity characteristics are responsible for their biological activity. This review describes: The synthetic routes for these compounds in plants, their physicochemical properties, mechanisms of action at molecular level and chemical synthesis of several derivatives. © 2017 Asociacion de Quimicos del Instituto Quimico de Sarria. All rights reserved.

VIVO