The synthesis and effect of fluorinated chalcone derivatives on nitric oxide production

Dimethoxy- and trimethoxychalcone derivatives, with various patterns of fluorination, were synthesized and evaluated for their influence on nitric oxide production. Some of them, chalcones 1, 5, 7, 10, 11 and 17, inhibited NO production with an IC50 in the submicromolar range; 17 is especially noteworthy because of its potency (IC50 30 nM). These effects were not the consequence of a direct inhibitory action on enzyme activity but the inhibition of enzyme expression.