Acanthifolic acid--new anti-tumor and antibiotic agent

A composition containing a cytotoxically or antibiotically effective amount of a compound of the formula:

• ##STR8## wherein:
• Q is selected from the group consisting of OY and NZ.sub.1 Z.sub.2 ;
• Y is selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, substituted aminoalkyl, aryl and a pharmaceutically acceptable cation;
• Z.sub.1 and Z.sub.2 are selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, substituted aminoalkyl and aryl;
• R.sub.1, R.sub.2 , R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, substituted aminoalkyl, aryl and ##STR9## and W is selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, substituted aminoalkyl and aryl;
• in combination with a pharmaceutical carrier.