Abstract Purpurin (1, 2, 4-trihydroxy-9, 10-anthraquinone) is a natural pigment isolated from madder root (Rubia tinctorum) which inhibits the mutagenicity of a number of heterocyclic amines in the Ames mutagenicity test. Two effects were observed in the presence of purpurin. The rate of degradation of 3-hydroxyamino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido [4, 3-b] indole [Trp- P-2 (NHOH)] at neutral pH was increased. The major product of this purpurin-dependent ...