| abstract |
The present invention provides novel tricyclic spiro-oxathiine naphthoquinone derivatives, a synthetic method for making the derivatives, and the use of the derivatives to induce cell death and/or to inhibit proliferation of cancer or precancerous cells. The naphthoquinone derivatives of the present invention are related to the compound known as β-lapachone (3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-2H- naphtho(l ,2-b)pyran-5 ,6-dione). |