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.