Α-Naphthoflavone Explained

α-Naphthoflavone, also known as 7,8-benzoflavone and 2-phenyl-benzo[''h'']chromen-4-one, is a synthetic^{[1] [2]} flavone derivative. It can be prepared from 2-naphthol and cinnamaldehyde.^[3]

α-Naphthoflavone is a potent inhibitor of the enzyme aromatase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to estrogen.^{[1] [2]} α-Naphthoflavone has been shown to cause abnormal testicular development in young chickens.^[4]

See also

• β-Naphthoflavone
• C₁₉H₁₂O₂

Notes and References

1. Flavonoid inhibition of aromatase enzyme activity in human preadipocytes . Campbell, Deborah R. . Kurzer, Mindy S. . Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology . 1993 . 46 . 3 . 381–388 . 10.1016/0960-0760(93)90228-O . 9831487. 25861427 .
2. Kellis JT Jr . Vickery LE . Inhibition of human estrogen synthetase (aromatase) by flavones . Science . 1984 . 225 . 4666 . 1032–1034 . 10.1126/science.6474163 . 6474163. 1984Sci...225.1032K .
3. 10.1021/jo00312a023 . A new chromone and flavone synthesis and its utilization for the synthesis of potentially antitumorigenic polycyclic chromones and flavones . 1990 . Harvey . Ronald G. . Hahn . Jung Tai . Bukowska . Maria . Jackson . Henry . The Journal of Organic Chemistry . 55 . 25 . 6161.
4. Trefil, P. . Micakova, A. . Stiborova, M. . Poplstein, M. . Brillard, J.P. . Hodek, P. . Effects of alpha-naphthoflavone on body growth and gonad development in chickens (Gallus domesticus) . Czech Journal of Animal Science . 2004 . 49 . 6 . 231–238. 10.17221/4305-CJAS . free .