TITLE:
Steroids, Tri- and Meroterpenoids with a Quinone Structure—A Review
AUTHORS:
Maryam S. M. Aghaei, Thies Thiemann
KEYWORDS:
Steroid, Secosteroid, Meroterpenoid, Triterpenoid, Quinone, Anti-Tumour Agent, Antibiotic, Natural Product
JOURNAL NAME:
International Journal of Organic Chemistry,
Vol.14 No.1,
March
29,
2024
ABSTRACT: Terpenoids with quinoid structures are found as natural products. This includes steroidal quinones, quinones with a secosteroid structure and meroterpenoid quinones. Importantly, catechol estrogens as endogenous metabolites of estradiol and estrone are precursors of reactive quinones and semiquinones, which are thought to contribute to estrogen-induced carcinogenesis. On the other hand, a number of quinones that include substituted naphthoquinones and anthraquinones are highly cytotoxic and have been used in cancer treatment. This makes the structures interesting synthetic targets. The following is a review of important natural and synthetic terpenoid and steroid quinone hybrids.