Brian Farnsworth; Parker Ferguson; Tracy Covey, Weber State University
Chalcone compounds have been found effective at inhibiting the growth of cancer cell lines. In an attempt to discover structure-activity relationships, mechanism of action and create more potent anti-tumor substrates, portions of the original chalcone structure have been modified and tested for anti-cancer activity. So far it has been discovered that substituting the 1-phenyl group with hydrogen, to produce cinnamaldehyde, or with an ester or nitro group, yielded a substrate with greater anti-tumor activity than chalcone itself. The lack of activity of substrates without the alkene group, suggests the mechanism of action involves a Michael reaction. Substrates were generally formed using an aldol condensation or esterification of cinnamic acid, using DCC and a suitable alcohol.