Solid-phase synthesis of 2′-hydroxychalcones. Effects on cell growth inhibition, cell cycle and apoptosis of human tumor cell lines

Thirty-one substituted 2′-hydroxychalcones were prepared via an aldol condensation via a solid-phase approach. Chalcones were tested for their growth inhibitory activity in three human tumor cell lines using a SRB assay. To gain further insight on the cellular mechanism of action of this class of compounds, studies of their effect on cell cycle profile as well as on induction of cellular apoptosis were also carried out.