Chalconoids Greek: χαλκός ''khalkós'', " copper", due to its color), also known as ''chalcones'', are natural phenols related to

chalcone Chalcone is the organic compound C6H5C(O)CH=CHC6H5. It is an α,β-unsaturated ketone. A variety of important biological compounds are known collectively as chalcones or chalconoids. Chemical properties Chalcones have two absorption maxima a ...

. They form the central core for a variety of important biological compounds. They show antibacterial,

antifungal An antifungal medication, also known as an antimycotic medication, is a pharmaceutical fungicide or fungistatic used to treat and prevent mycosis such as athlete's foot, ringworm, candidiasis (thrush), serious systemic infections such as crypto ...

, antitumor and anti-inflammatory properties. Some chalconoids demonstrated the ability to block voltage-dependent potassium channels. Chalcones are also natural aromatase inhibitors. Chalcones are aromatic ketones with two phenyl rings that are also intermediates in the synthesis of many biological compounds. The closure of hydroxychalcones causes the formation of the flavonoid structure. Flavonoids are substances in the plant secondary metabolism with an array of biological activities. Chalconoids are also intermediates in the Auwers synthesis of flavones.

Chemical properties

Biosynthesis and metabolism

Chalcone synthase is an enzyme responsible for the production of chalconoids in plants.
Chalcone isomerase is responsible for their conversion into flavanones and other flavonoids.

Naringenin-chalcone synthase Chalcone synthase or naringenin-chalcone synthase (CHS) is an enzyme ubiquitous to higher plants and belongs to a family of polyketide synthase enzymes (PKS) known as type III PKS. Type III PKSs are associated with the production of chalcones, a ...

uses

malonyl-CoA Malonyl-CoA is a coenzyme A derivative of malonic acid. Functions It plays a key role in chain elongation in fatty acid biosynthesis and polyketide biosynthesis. Fatty acid biosynthesis Malonyl-CoA provides 2-carbon units to fatty acids and commi ...

and

4-coumaroyl-CoA Coumaroyl-coenzyme A is the thioester of coenzyme-A and coumaric acid. Coumaroyl-coenzyme A is a central intermediate in the biosynthesis of myriad natural products found in plants. These products include Monolignol, lignols (precursors to lignin ...

to produce

CoA Coa may refer to: Places * Coa, County Fermanagh, a rural community in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland * Côa River, a tributary of the Douro, Portugal ** Battle of Coa, part of the Peninsular War period of the Napoleonic Wars ** Côa Vall ...

naringenin chalcone Naringenin chalcone is a common chalconoid (or chalcone, not to be confused with the compound chalcone). It is synthesized from 4-coumaroyl-CoA and malonyl-CoA Malonyl-CoA is a coenzyme A derivative of malonic acid. Functions It plays a key rol ...

, and CO₂.
In aurones, the chalcone-like structure closes into a 5-atom ring instead of the more typical 6-atom ring (C ring).

Chemical properties

Biosynthesis and metabolism

Related compounds

References

External links