Natural quinones as quinonemethide precursors--ideas in rational drug design.

The concept of the mode of biological action of quinones as bioreductive alkylating agents is presented. The focus of this discussion is primarily upon the structural features which would facilitate quinonemethide formation (alkylating agent) from the reduced quinone (hydroquinone). A survey of the naturally occurring quinone field was carried out and those members which can be catalogued as potential bioreductive alkylating agents are listed.