DNA TARGETED ANTHRAQUINONE DERIVATIVES: AN IMPORTANT ANTICANCER AGENTS

Deoxyribonucleic acid, DNA is the source of various genetic information and is currently one of the most important and studied biological receptor. Lately, a wide range of chemotherapeutic agents are known wherein they affect cell division or DNA synthesis, leading to inhibition of cell growth and cell death. Out of various agents anthraquinone, having a planar tricyclic structure is the backbone of many known antitumor drugs like doxorubicin and mitoxantrone capable of targeting at the molecular/DNA level. This review embraces discussion on DNA-binding molecules with special attention to anthraquinone based compounds having application in anticancer activity by DNA damage mechanism. The review also compiles the work reported on anthraquinone based molecule in molecular imaging. Keywords: Anthraquinone, DNA, Cancer, Molecular imaging