Synthesis and activity of a new series of chalcones as aldose reductase inhibitors

A new series of chalcone derivatives has been synthesized and tested in vitro in order to assess their ability to inhibit aldose reductase enzyme (ALR2) and their specificity towards the target enzyme with respect to other oxidoreductases, such as aldehyde reductase, sorbitol dehydrogenase, and glutathione reductase. All the compounds display affinity for ALR2. The X-ray crystal structure of 1-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)propen-1-one was determined.