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 IC(50) in the submicromolar range; 17 is especially noteworthy because of its potency (IC(50) 30nM). These effects were not the consequence of a direct inhibitory action on enzyme activity but the inhibition of enzyme expression.