Flavopiridol [2-(2-chlorophenyl 5 ,7-dihydroxy-8-[cis-(3-hydroxy-1-methyl-4-piperidinyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one, hydrochloride] is a semisynthetic flavone with a novel structure compared with that of polyhydroxylated flavones, such as quercetin and genistein.[1] It is derived from rohitukine, an alkaloid isolated from the stem bark of Dysoxylum binectariferum, a plant indigenous to India.[2] Originally synthesized and supplied by Hoechst India Limited, flavopiridol is provided to the Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) by Aventis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
