Hit Identification of Anthraquinone Based Molecules as c-myc G-Quadruplex Inducers/Stabilizers via in silico Structural Similarity Approach

Natural products in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) such as anthraquinone derivatives have a wide variety of pharmacological properties as well as proven record of high efficacy. Previously, our group reported an anthraquinone derivative Fonsecin B as c-myc G-quadruplex stabilizer. We herein report two bioactive anthraquinones with modifiable hydroxyl groups abundant in Chinese Medicine Rheum Palmatum L. (also known as Da Huang) as c-myc G-quadruplex stabilizer, identified by in silico structural similarity approach. Interaction of the anthraquinones with c-myc G-quadruplex was investigated by PCR Stop Assay