1,4-Naphthoquinone: A privileged structural framework in drug discovery

Naturally occurring naphthoquinones are known for their various biological and pharmacological activities and has been reported and studied intensely. In this chapter, we have gathered possible literature and representing brief and detailed account of biological activity profile of 1,4-naphthoquinones and their cognate hetero atom (O, N, and S) as well as halo (Cl, Br, and I), cyclic, noncyclic, and five or six membered rings against several pathogenic fungi, bacteria, viruses, plasmodium, leishmanial, and cancer. The literature available suggests that the biological action of 1,4-naphthoquinone is mainly related to redox cycling of naphthoquinone however, hetero-substituted derivatives of 1,4-naphthoquinone modify the activity comparable to an extent. Quinones are known to have a similar electronic energy level with metals. This feature allows them to form redox isomers by intramolecular electron transfer; hence, quinones are used in many biological processes.