(−) and (+)-Merrilliaquinone, a pair of new quinone enantiomers from Illicium merrillianum and their distinctive effect on human hepatoma and hepatic cells

Abstract

Two new quinone enantiomers (−) and (+)-merrilliaquinone (1a, 1b) were isolated from Illicium merrillianum, 1b exhibited a selective cytotoxicity between human hepatoma cell lines and normal human hepatic cells, while 1a didn't have such activity.