Abstract

Chalcones are the class of compounds which consists of two benzene rings that are connected by alpha, beta unsaturated carbonyl group. (1) They are precursors of flavonoids. (7) The derivatives of chalcones are important as they contain keto ethylenic group (CO-CH=CH). Since they possess alpha,beta unsaturated carbonyl group, they have a wide range of pharmacological properties like anti proliferative, anti bacterial, anti microbial, anti leishmanial and anti malarial.(2) This review article mainly focuses on anti cancer activity of chalcones and its derivatives. Cancer is caused due to uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells and it is a major health problem all over the world. The factors which causes cancer are mainly genetic(5-10%) and environmental(90-95%).(3) Cancer is considered as second most fatal disease next to cardiovascular diseases which leads to death of many people in the world. (4) Other causes of cancer are use of tobacco(reported 22% of cancer deaths), obesity(10%), poor diet, lack of physical activity or exercise, excessive drinking of alcohol and exposure to ionizing radiation.(5) Cancer can be identified by signs, symptoms and screening tests which is then investigated by medical imaging and finally confirmed by biopsy. Cancer is treated through surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Surgery and radiation are used to treat local cancers. Even though chemotherapy is effective treatment, long term use of chemotherapeutic agents may lead to many side effects like disruption of normal cells in addition to cancerous cells.(6) Chalcones act as anticancer agents by modifying aromatic groups present in its basic structure and replacing aromatic groups with hetero cyclic compounds to form a hybrid molecules.(7)

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