9,10-Anthraquinones and other biologically active compounds from the genus Rubia.

The secondary metabolites isolated from Rubia species, their biological activities, and colouration properties have been reviewed. Over 150 chemical constituents belonging to different classes of bioactive compounds such as anthraquinones and their glycosides, naphthoquinones and glycosides, terpenes, bicyclic hexapeptides, iridoids, and carbohydrates are listed together with their source(s) and corresponding references.