Quinone

Quinones are a class of organic compounds that contain conjugated cyclic dione structures and are commonly prepared from reactive aromatic compounds such as phenols or catechols. They are most commonly found in several natural products, biochemicals, and drugs. Formation of quinones generally include three major mechanisms: (a) two electron enzymatic oxidations of catechols/hydroquinones, (b) first o-hydroxylating phenols using P450 and then catechols oxidation, and (c) O-dealkylation of O-alkoxy groups to catechols and further oxidation. These formed quinones have several biological targets that depend upon their reactivity, as well as rate and site of formation. The variety of effects caused by quinones including carcinogenesis, immunotoxicity, cytotoxicity, modification of redox status, etc. are discussed in this manuscript.