Quinones and Benzophenones from the Medicinal Plants of Africa

In this chapter, we discuss the chemistry of quinones and benzophenones: classification, nomenclature, biosynthesis, biological activity, and their distribution in nature. Genera such as Newbouldia, Kigelia, Aloe, Euclea, Diospyros, Bulbine, Rumex, and Kniphofia are rich sources of quinines, while the Guttiferae are rich in polyprenylated benzophenones. Most of these African species offer novel derivatives with interesting biological activities, suggesting that these species are potential sources of new drug candidates if properly investigated.