Abstract

In this study, the antibacterial activities of two synthetic chalcones were investigated against Ecsherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia and Micrococus luteus by agar dilution method. The potato disc method was used to investigate the antitumor activity of the compounds. This assay is accepted as a primary general screening assay of antineoplastic activity of compounds. Different amount of compounds were utilized including: 1.56, 3.125, 6.25, 12.5, 25 and 50 μg/disc. After incubating for 20 days at 25ºC, induced tumors were counted and compared with controls. The inhibition was expressed as percentages of tumor onset discs versus controls. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 3-(2-chlorobenzylidene) chroman -4-one against K. pneumonia and B. Subtilis was determined as 25 and 100 μg/ml, respectively. 3-(2,4 dichlorobenzylidene) chromon -4- one showed antibacterial activity against K. pneumonia and E.coli with MIC=50 and 100 μg/ml, respectively. The result of this study showed that these synthetic chalcones have more inhibitory effects on Gram negative bacteria. Based on this study antitumor activity of 3-(2-chlorobenzylidene) chroman -4- one and 3-(2,4 dichlorobenzylidene) chromon -4- one were determined  as 52.3 and 53.9% inhibition of the growth of tumors respectively in the highest concentration (50 μg/disc). The results indicated a possible strong anticancerous effect of chromans and similar compounds.

Key words: Antibacterial activity, potato disc method, chroman - 4 - one.