Synthesis, characterization and cytotoxic evaluation of chalcone derivatives

Four chalcones, (E)-3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-1-phenylprop-2-en-1-one (A), (E)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-phenylprop-2-en-1-one (B), (E)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (C) and (E)-3-(4-bromophenyl)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (D), were synthesized and characterized by H-1 and C-13 solution-state NMR, C-13 solid-state NMR and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The different interactions (hydrogen bonding and pi-interactions) observed in the crystal structures of these four molecules were confirmed in the solid-state data as well as in the Hirshfeld surface analysis. The in vitro cytotoxicity of these molecules was also evaluated against human acute lymphoblastic leukemia (CEM), human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7), human cervical carcinoma (HeLa), human malignant melanoma cell lines (G-361), and normal human skin fibroblasts (BJ). A, B, C and D displayed cytotoxicity in at least two cell lines. A, B, and C were strongly cytotoxic against CEM cells while B and C showed selectivity by not affecting the growth of the normal human skin fibroblasts. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Four chalcones were synthesized and characterized, showing different interactions in their crystal structures. The in vitro cytotoxicity of these compounds against various cancer cell lines was evaluated, demonstrating potential anti-tumor activities.