Synthesis and biological evaluation of α-methyl-chalcone for anti-cervical cancer activity

A series of 31 chalcones were synthesized and evaluated for anti-proliferative activity against the human cervical cancer cell lines (HeLa and SiHa). Compound 19, (E)-1-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(4-(dimethylamino) phenyl)-2-methylprop-2-en-1-one was found to be an effective anti-proliferative agent in HeLa and SiHa cells (IC50 = 0.035 μM). Compound 19 increased the percentage of apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner, as measured by Annexin V-FITC (fluorescein isothiocyanate)/(propidium iodide) PI staining. Molecular modeling studies of compound 19 showed that the most potent structure was docked at the yeast 20 S proteasome binding site (Protein Data Bank code-3E47) and was stabilized in the cavity by various hydrophobic and hydrogen bonding interactions.