European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Cancer is a widely spreading disease all over the world and the second most leading cause of
mortality worldwide. In the broader sense cancer refers to more than 277 different types of
diseases. Scientists have identified different stages of cancers, indicating several gene
mutations which are involved in cancer pathogenesis. These gene mutations lead to abnormal
cell proliferation. Genetic disorders caused byinheritance or inheritance factors have a
pivotal role in the increase of cell growth.With the assistance of technological advances in
molecular techniques and bioinformatics extra information can be obtained which can be
useful for early diagnosis and proper treatment. In recent years, carcinogenesis mechanisms
have been detected by molecular genetic studies. Consumption of fruits, vegetables, spices,
cereals and pulses has been associated with lower incidence of cancer and other chronic
diseases, but how these dietary agents and their active ingredients minimize these diseases, is
not fully understood. Whether it is oranges, hops, water-lily, locorice, wax apple or
mulberry, they are all connected by a group of aromatic ketones, called chalcones (1,3-
diaryl-2-propen-1-ones). Chalcones are a group of polyphenolic compounds derived from
plants which belong to the flavonoids family and owna wide variety of modulatory and
cytoprotective functions. They have been linked with anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, antiinflammatory,
anti-oxidant, anti-cancer and anti-diabetic activities. Immunoblot assay
showed that chalcone decreased the expression of cyclin B1, cyclin A and Cdc 2 protein, as
well as increased the expression of p21 and p27.The current review, however, deals with the
role of various chalcones in biologically, pharmacologically, and medicinally important
entities.