The molecule is a tetrahydroxyanthraquinone that is that is 3,5,6,8-tetrahydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone substituted by two carboxy groups at positions 1 and 2 as well as a 5-(2-acetamidoethyl)-2-hydroxyphenyl group at position 7. The major component of LAC dye together with laccaic acids B, C and D It has a role as a dye, an animal metabolite and an EC 2.1.1.37 [DNA (cytosine-5-)-methyltransferase] inhibitor. It is a tetrahydroxyanthraquinone, an acetamide, a polyphenol and an oxo dicarboxylic acid.
7-[5-(2-acetamidoethyl)-2-hydroxyphenyl]-3,5,6,8-tetrahydroxy-9,10-dioxoanthracene-1,2-dicarboxylic acid