Anticancer and antioxidant activity of synthetic chalcones and related compounds.

Nineteen synthetic chalcones and ten structurally related compounds were investigated for their cytotoxic, tumour reducing and antioxidant activities. Methyl and hydroxy substituted chalcones were found to be cytotoxic in vitro whereas only hydroxy substituted chalcones could reduce ascites tumour in animals. Although most of the compounds analysed showed antioxidant activity, hydroxy and methyl substituted compounds were found to be the most potent antioxidants.