Anthraquinones are described which have anticancer or antitumor activity
and which are useful for inhibiting cancer cells and cells comprising
tumors in vitro or in vivo. Preferably, the anthraquinones have the
chemical formula:
##STR1##
wherein R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl,
and substituted alkyl; R.sub.2 is a group containing 1-12 carbons selected
from the group consisting of alkyl, substituted alkyl, aldehyde, hydroxy,
hydroxymethyl, acid group, carbohydrate and combinations thereof; and
R.sub.3 is a group containing 1 to 12 carbons selected from the group
consisting of methyl, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aldehyde, hydroxy,
hydroxymethyl, acid group, carbohydrate, and combinations thereof. The
preferred anthraquinones are 1-hydroxy-2-acetyl-3,6-methyl anthraquinone,
2-acetyl-3,6-methyl anthraquinone monoacetate,
1-hydroxy-2-acetyl-3,7-methyl anthraquinone, 2-acetyl-3,7-methyl
anthraquinone monoacetate, 1,2,8-trihydroxy-3-methyl anthraquinone,
1,8-dihydroxy-2-O-.beta.-D-glucopyranoside anthraquinone,
1,2,8-trihydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl anthraquinone, and
1,8-dihydroxy-3-carboxy anthraquinone.
