In vivo investigation of E-2-(4'-methoxybenzylidene)-1-benzosuberone (4a) on the 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced onco/tumor suppressor gene expressions suggested that inhibition of metabolic activation of DMBA might play a role in the observed activity of the compound. In order to explore this possible biological action we have investigated whether 4a and some of its structurally related analogues had inhibitory effects on the CYP1A enzymes. During our study 7-ethoxyresorufin O-dealkylation activity of CYP1A isoenzymes was measured in liver microsomes prepared from 3-methylcholanthrene treated male rats. Inhibition constants (K(i) values) were determined by using different concentrations of 7-ethoxyresorufin and the investigated chalcones (1), E-2-benzylidene-1-indanones (2), -tetralones (3) and -benzosuberones (4). Each compound was found to be a strong competitive inhibitor of the CYP1A enzymes. Their inhibitory activity was comparable with or even higher than that of 7,8-benzoflavone, the known strong CYP1A inhibitor used as reference substance. By proper selection of the substituents on the benzylidene moiety we investigated how the inhibitory activity (K(i) value) of 1-4 varied as a function of the ring size (n=0, 5, 6, 7) carbon atoms, and the nature as well as the position of the substituents. To test applicability of the previously set structural requirements for binding of xenobiotics to the CYP1A enzymes we compared some topological, physico-chemical and quantum mechanical parameters of 1-4 with 7-ethoxyresorufin and 7,8-benzoflavone, the investigated CYP1A substrate and inhibitor, respectively.