Aromatase Inhibitors From the Mulberry Tree to Cancer Chemotherapy

Chalcones as Aromatase Inhibitors From the Mulberry Tree to Cancer Chemotherapy 

Estrogens— the primary female sex hormones— are risk factors for developing breast cancer, which, except for certain types of skin cancer, is the most common cancer among women. One approach to breast-cancer treatment is to restrict tumor growth 

The potential of aromatase inhibitors in the treatment of breast cancer has spurred efforts to find more potent drugs. Bioassays of over 4000 plants led to the discovery of potent aromatase inhibitors from organic extracts of the paper mulberry tree. 

Broussonetia papyrifera. One of these compounds is a chalcone called morachalcone A. Chalcone and its derivatives are present in many plants, have a long history in folk medicine, and continue to be widely used as alternatives to conventional therapies. 

The paper mulberry tree Broussonetia papyrifera is a source of a compound that holds promise as an anticancer drug. 

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