Isoliquiritigenin is a licorice chalconoid

Chalconoid

Chalconoids, also known as chalcones, are natural phenols related to chalcone. They form the central core for a variety of important biological compounds. They show antibacterial, antifungal, antitumor and anti-inflammatory properties...

, a type of natural phenols. It is currently under experimentation phase testing for use as a cancer

Cancer

Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...

 treatment as well as an aide for cocaine addiction. It is a sirtuin-activating compound

Sirtuin-activating compound

Sirtuin-activating compounds are chemical compounds having an effect on sirtuins, a group of enzymes that use NAD+ to remove acetyl groups from proteins. They are caloric restriction mimetic candidates, molecules able to prevent aging-related diseases like Alzheimer's , diabetes, and...

.

Metabolism

The enzyme 6'-deoxychalcone synthase

6'-deoxychalcone synthase

In enzymology, a 6'-deoxychalcone synthase is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reactionThe 4 substrates of this enzyme are malonyl-CoA, 4-coumaroyl-CoA, NADPH, and H+, whereas its 5 products are CoA, isoliquiritigenin, CO2, NADP+, and H2O...

 uses malonyl-CoA

Malonyl-CoA

Malonyl-CoA is a coenzyme A derivative.-Functions:It plays a key role in chain elongation in fatty acid biosynthesis and polyketide biosynthesis....

, 4-coumaroyl-CoA, NADPH

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, abbreviated NADP or TPN in older notation , is a coenzyme used in anabolic reactions, such as lipid and nucleic acid synthesis, which require NADPH as a reducing agent....

, and H⁺ to produce CoA

COA

COA can refer to:*Codename Amscray*Cash on Arrival*Cause of action*CedarOpenAccounts*Center of Attention*Certificate of Appealability*Certificate of Approval for marriage or civil partnership in the United Kingdom*Certificate of Authenticity...

, isoliquiritigenin, CO₂

Carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom...

, NADP⁺, and H₂O.

The enzyme isoliquiritigenin 2'-O-methyltransferase

Isoliquiritigenin 2'-O-methyltransferase

In enzymology, an isoliquiritigenin 2'-O-methyltransferase is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reactionThus, the two substrates of this enzyme are S-adenosyl methionine and isoliquiritigenin, whereas its two products are S-adenosylhomocysteine and 2'-O-methylisoliquiritigenin.This enzyme...

 further transforms isoliquiritigenin into 2'-O-methylisoliquiritigenin.