In vitro anti-proliferative effect of naturally occurring oxyprenylated chalcones.

As a continuation of our ongoing studies aimed to depict the effects and mechanism of action of naturally occurring oxyprenylated phenylpropanoids and polyketides, in this paper we describe the synthesis and in vitro anti-proliferative effects of selected compounds belonging to the above cited classes of secondary metabolites on six cancer cell lines using the MTT colorimetric assay. Our study revealed that among the natural products tested, only oxyprenylated chalcones exhibited an appreciable effect (mean IC50 = 32 - 64 microM), while substituted alcohols, phenylpropenes, naphthoquinones, and aminoacid derivatives were by far less active or inactive.