Chemical subclass
Code:
XANT
Name:
Xanthones
Chemical class:
Comment:
The xanthones are a biologically active yet taxonomically restricted group of plant phenols. Biosynthetically, they are related to the flavonoids (q.v.) being formed by the condensation of a phenylpropanoid precursor with two instead of three malonyl coenzyme A units. Xanthones show considerable biological activity, and it is surprising that none has so far an established use in medicine.