Definition: Nitro-phenanthrenes occurring in ARISTOLOCHIACEAE and other plants. They derive from stephanine (APORPHINES) by oxidative ring cleavage. The nitro group is a reactive alkylator (ALKYLATING AGENTS) that binds to biological macromolecules. Ingestion by humans is associated with nephropathy (NEPHRITIS). There is no relationship to the similar named aristolochene (SESQUITERPENES).
aristolochic acid I [ 8-methoxy-6-nitrophenanthro(3,4-d)-1,3-dioxole-5-carboxylic acid,Tardolyt,aristolochic acid,aristolochic acid A,aristolochic acid I, sodium salt ] phospholipase A inhibitor; RN given refers to parent cpd; structure