Tetrahydroxyquinone is a redox-active hydroxyquinone.1,2 It inhibits HIV-1 proteinase (IC50 = 575 ?M) and is active against T. brucei brucei (MIC100 = 100 ?g/ml).1,3 Tetrahydroxyquinone (100 ?M) induces the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in, as well as apoptosis of, HL-60 leukemia cells.2 It has also been used in the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries.4
1.Brinkworth, R.I., and Fairlie, D.P.Hydroxyquinones are competitive non-peptide inhibitors of HIV-1 proteinaseBiochim. Biophys. Acta1253(1)5-8(1995) 2.Cavagis, A.D.M., Ferreira, C.V., Versteeg, H.H., et al.Tetrahydroxyquinone induces apoptosis of leukemia cells through diminished survival signalingExp. Hematol.34(2)188-196(2006) 3.Shapiro, A., Nathan, H.C., Hutner, S.H., et al.In vivo and in vitro activity by diverse chelators against Trypanosoma brucei bruceiJ. Protozool.29(1)85-90(1982) 4.Chen, H., Armand, M., Courty, M., et al.Lithium salt of tetrahydroxybenzoquinone: Toward the development of a sustainable Li-ion batteryJ. Am. Chem. Soc.131(25)8984-8988(2009)