Origin

Chrysin is a naturally occurring flavone chemically extracted from the blue passion flower (Passiflora caerulea). Honeycomb also contains small amounts.

Chrysin and aromatase inhibition

Advertised as an aromatase inhibitor supplement by bodybuilders and athletes. However, studies done in vivo do not show proof of aromatase inhibitor activity.

Since chrysin is available as an herbal supplement, some users, for instance body builders, are taking chrysin with the hope of raising testosterone levels or stimulating testosterone production. One study listed below did not find chrysin supplementation to lead to any significant increase in testosterone production.

Chrysin was once believed to be an effective aromatase inhibitor, decreasing the levels of estrogen in the body. However, there is growing consensus that chrysin has no effect on estrogen levels in either animals or humans. . Early evidence was reported in the early 1980's through in vitro studies (in the laboratory, as opposed to in the body) . Unfortunately, follow-up studies determined that cell membranes effectively block chrysin from entering the cells and having any effect at all on estrogen levels in biological organisms . In vivo (in the body) studies involving biological organisms lend support to the observation that chrysin has no effect on estrogen levels, but may have other detrimental effects to the body, particularly to thyroid function . For instance, a 30 day study administered chrysin to four groups of mice both orally and via injection to examine chrysin's effect on serum estrogen levels. The results showed that chrysin had no effect on estrogen levels. Further, the mice treated with chrysin became considerably fatter, possibly due to chrysin's ability to disrupt thyroid function.. Another study on rats administered 50 mg of chrysin per kg body weight, considerably more than found in dietary supplements. Chrysin was found to have no ability to inhibit aromatase, possibly due to poor aborption or bioavailablity .

Pharmacokinetics

• Peak plasma chrysin concentrations after oral dose of 400 mg = 3–16 ng ml−1
• AUC = 5–193 ng ml−1 h
• Plasma chrysin sulfate concentrations were 30-fold higher (AUC 450–4220 ng ml−1 h).
• Excretion: urine peak concentration = 0.2–3.1 mg. Most of the dose appeared in faeces as chrysin.

Chrysin and Inflammation

Chrysin has been shown to induce an anti-inflammatory effect, most likely by inhibition of COX-2 expression and via IL-6 signaling .

Chrysin and Anxiety

In rodent in vivo studies, chrysin was found anxiolytic.

In herbal medicine, chrysin is recommended as a remedy for anxiety, but there are no controlled data in humans available.

Many herbal remedies that contain chrysin tout their value as a libido-increasing supplement. There is no evidence so far in vivo.

Chrysin demonstrated cell toxicity and inhibition of DNA synthesis at very low concentrations in a normal trout liver cell line.

References