Danthron is a reddish, synthetic anthraquinone derivative. Danthron has been widely used as a laxative, but is no longer used to treat constipation and is currently used as an antioxidant in synthetic lubricants, in the synthesis of experimental antitumor agents, as a fungicide and as an intermediate for making dyes. This substance is a suspected mutagen and is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen based on evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals.