A new neuronal cell protecting substance, lavanduquinocin was isolated from Streptomyces viridochromogenes 2942-SVS3. It consists of a carbazole skeleton with an ortho quinone function and a cyclolavandulyl moiety. Lavanduquinocin protected neuronal hybridoma N18-RE-105 cells from L-glutamate toxicity with EC50 value 15.5 nM.