Tumor-inhibitory agent from Montezuma speciosissima (Malvaceae)

The petroleum ether extract of Montezuma speciosissima Sesse and Moc. demonstrated tumor-inhibiting properties in the P-338 lympocytic leukemia test system (3PS). The constituent responsible for this activity was shown to be a symmetrically substituted 2,2'-dinaphthol, identified as gossypol (C30H30O8).