Elliptinium

**Semantic type:** Organic Chemical|Pharmacologic Substance

**Definition:** A derivative of the alkaloid ellipticine isolated from species of the plant family Apocynaceae, including Bleekeria vitensis, a plant with anti-cancer properties. As a topoisomerase II inhibitor and intercalating agent, elliptinium stabilizes the cleavable complex of topoisomerase II and induces DNA breakages, thereby inhibiting DNA replication and RNA and protein synthesis.

**Synonyms:** - 9-Hydroxy-2,5,11-trimethyl-6H-pyrido[4,3-b]carbazolium - 9-Hydroxy-2-methylellipticinium - ELLIPTINIUM - N-2-Methyl-9-hydroxyellipticinium - NMHE