Synthetic cyclohexenyl chalcone natural products possess cytotoxic activities against prostate cancer cells and inhibit cysteine cathepsins in vitro

► Novel synthetic natural products inhibit prostate cancer cell growth. ► Synthetic cyclohexenyl chalcone natural products stimulate apoptosis. ► Synthetic cyclohexenyl chalcone natural products result in G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. ► Synthetic cyclohexenyl chalcone natural products inhibit cysteine cathepsins in vitro.