Acridone alkaloids

Acridone alkaloids are natural products derived from acridone.^[1]

Acridone, parent compound of the acridone alkaloids.

Wine rue (Ruta graveolens)

Occurrence

Acridone alkaloids are found in bark, wood, leaves and roots of rue plants,^[1] especially in roots and suspension cultures of rue.^[2]

Examples

This group is named after the acridone. Further members are acronycin, melicopicine and rutacridone, among others:^[1][3]

• 
  Acronycin
• 
  Melicopicine
• 
  Rutacridon

Properties

Many acridone alkaloids are methylated on the nitrogen atom and also have two oxygen functional groups, which can be free, alkylated or incorporated into rings. Acridone alkaloids show a blue-green fluorescence so that they can be detected with UV light. Some alkaloids of this group are effective against malaria pathogens. Furthermore, acronycin inhibits cell division.^[2]