Biflorin: an o-naphthoquinone of clinical significance

An Acad Bras Cienc. 2014 Dec;86(4):1907-14. doi: 10.1590/0001-3765201420140085. Epub 2014 Oct 14.

Abstract

Biflorin is an o-naphthoquinone with proven cytotoxic effects on tumor cells showing antimicrobial, antitumor and antimutagenic activities. Biflorin is an isolated compound taken from the roots of the plant Capraria biflora L. (Schrophulariaceae), indigenous of the West Indies and South America, which is located in temperate or tropical areas. This compound has shown to be strongly active against grampositive and alcohol-acid-resistant bacteria. It has been efficient in inhibiting the proliferation tumor cell lines CEM, HL-60, B16, HCT-8 and MCF-7. Recently, SK-Br3 cell line was treated with biflorin showing important cytotoxic effects. In this article, information related to the first structural characterization studies are presented, as well as the latest reports concerning the biological activity of this molecule.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / isolation & purification
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antifungal Agents / chemistry
  • Antifungal Agents / isolation & purification
  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / isolation & purification
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Humans
  • Naphthoquinones / chemistry
  • Naphthoquinones / isolation & purification
  • Naphthoquinones / pharmacology*
  • Scrophulariaceae / chemistry*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antifungal Agents
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Naphthoquinones
  • biflorin