%0 Journal Article
%T Anthraquinones-a Naturopathic Compound - Anthraquinones-a Naturopathic Compound - Open Access Pub
%A Nida Tabassum Khan
%J OAP | Home | Journal of New Developments in Chemistry | Open Access Pub
%D 2018
%X Anthraquinones is a potent aromatic compound that besides being used commercially it offers numerous therapeutic benefits such as inhibits cancer growth by inducing apoptosis, relive constipation, ease bowl movement etc. Anthraquinones are found naturally in some plants such as senna, buckthorn, yellow dock etc while it can also be produced using chemical routes such as anthracene oxidation, naphthalene oxidation, condensation of 1, 4-naphthoquinone with butadiene etc. However its intake should strictly be regulated since it may cause some serious side effects. DOI10.14302/issn.2377-2549.jndc-18-2569 Anthraquinones are aromatic carbon-based complexes that are present in few herbs and edible plants either as anthrones or bianthrones 1. Anthraquinones and its derivatives are widely used in vat pigments/dyes, as additives in paper and pulp industry, in seed treatment method, as pesticides, in the production of hydrogen peroxide etc 2. In addition anthraquinones also contain healing and anticancerous properties 3 (Figure 1). Figure 1. Chemical structure of Anthraquinone Enlisted Below are some Plants that are Enriched with Anthraquinones Aloe (Aloe barbadensis) Buckthorn Senna (Cassia sp) Yellow dock (Rumex crispus) Rhubarb (Rheum palmatum) Cascara sagrada (Rhamnus frangula) 4, 5. Chemical Based Production of Anthraquinones Several methods for the synthesis of anthraquinones is employed such as Anthracene oxidation with concentrated nitric acid 6. Chemical preparation of anthraquinones from benzene and phthalic anhydride 7. Naphthalene oxidation with butadiene followed by dehydrogenation to obtain the desired anthraquinones 8. Dimerization of styrene with phosphoric acid followed by vapor phase oxidation 9. Anthracene oxidation either with chromic acid in sulfuric acid (48%) or oxidation with air 10. Condensation of 1, 4-naphthoquinone with butadiene 11. Anthraquinones is listed as one of the mostly consumed chemical in the United States which produces approximately 5000¨C25 000 tons of anthraquinones annually 12. Medicinal Properties of Anthraquinones Anthraquinones possess antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial, laxative, insecticidal and antioxidant properties which makes it suitable to be used in the treatment of various ailments 13, 14. Health Benefits of Anthraquinones Anthraquinones is used for the treatment of various medical conditions which is as follows: Treatment of Constipation Because of its laxative property, anthraquinones elevates the concentration of fluid in the large intestine and excites colon peristalsisthus allowing easy bowel movements.
%U https://www.openaccesspub.org/jndc/article/1001