Induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in L-1210 murine lymphoblastic leukaemia cells by (2E)-3-(2-naphthyl)-1-(3'-methoxy-4'-hydroxy-phenyl)-2-propen-1-one.

Objectives: New compounds with biological targets and less cytotoxicity to normal cells are necessary for cancer therapy. In this work ten synthetic chalcones derived from 2-naphtaldehyde were evaluated for their cytotoxic effect in murine acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells L-1210.

Methods: A series of ten chalcones derived from 2-naphtaldehyde and corresponding acetophenones were prepared by aldolic condensation, using methanol as solvent under basic conditions, at room temperature for 24 h.