A series of 2′, 5′-dihydroxychalcones were synthesized and evaluated for cytotoxicity against tumor cell lines and human umbilical venous endothelial cells (HUVEC). It was found that chalcones with electron-withdrawing substituents on the B ring exhibited potent cytotoxicity against a variety of tumor cell lines while compounds with electron-releasing groups were less potent in general. Those compounds with B ring replaced by extended ...
