PHARMACOLOGICAL POTENTIAL OF NATURALLY DERIVED CHALCONES

Abstract

Chalcones are naturally occurring polyphenolic compounds belonging to the flavonoid family and are widely distributed in fruits, vegetables, spices, and medicinal plants. Due to their simple chemical structure and diverse biological activities, naturally derived chalcones have attracted significant attention in pharmaceutical and medicinal research. This review aims to summarize the pharmacological potential of naturally occurring chalcones and highlight their therapeutic applications. Extensive studies have demonstrated that chalcones exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, anticancer, antidiabetic, and neuroprotective effects. These activities are primarily attributed to their ability to modulate various cellular signaling pathways, inhibit enzyme activity, regulate oxidative stress, and influence inflammatory mediators. Furthermore, naturally derived chalcones have shown promising efficacy in preclinical studies against several chronic and infectious diseases, suggesting their potential as lead compounds for drug development. Recent advances in structural modification and molecular docking studies have further enhanced the understanding of their mechanism of action and pharmacological properties. Despite encouraging findings, challenges related to bioavailability, toxicity, and clinical validation remain to be addressed. Overall, naturally derived chalcones represent a valuable class of bioactive molecules with considerable therapeutic potential, warranting further investigation for the development of safe and effective pharmaceutical agents.