Further Studies on Anti-invasive Chemotypes: An Excursion from Chalcones to Curcuminoids

In our ongoing search for new anti-invasive chemotypes, we have made an excursion from previously reported potent 1,3-diarylpropenones (chalcones) to congeners bearing longer linkers between the aromatic moieties. Nine 1,ω-diarylalkenones, including curcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin, were evaluated in the chick heart invasion assay. Unfortunately, these compounds proved less potent and more toxic than earlier evaluated chemotypes. In the 1,3-diarylpenta-2,4-dien-1-one series, fluoro and/or trimethoxy substitution caused an increase in potency. This agrees with observations made earlier for the chalcone class.