Hermetica Superfood Encyclopedia
Legacy index-continuity record: the score and narrative are provisional and must not be represented as validated or human-approved.
Review flags: AWAITING_SEMANTIC_VALIDATION
Chrysin is a naturally occurring flavonoid found in passionflower, honey, and propolis that modulates enzyme activity and cellular signaling pathways. It demonstrates potential benefits for digestive health during chemotherapy and shows antiproliferative effects against cancer cells in laboratory studies.
Origin & History
Chrysin is a naturally occurring flavonoid (5,7-dihydroxyflavone) found in honey, propolis, passionflower (Passiflora caerulea), and various fruits and vegetables. It is commonly extracted from honeycomb and plant sources using traditional solvent methods and isolated as a pure compound for dietary supplements.
Research Narrative (Provisional)
Clinical evidence for chrysin is limited to small pilot studies. A 20-patient open-label safety trial (PMID: 16003560) showed no chrysin-attributable toxicities when combined with irinotecan chemotherapy. A 15-person randomized crossover pharmacokinetic trial demonstrated that micellar chrysin formulation achieved >2-fold higher bioavailability than unformulated chrysin with good tolerability over 30 days.
Preparation & Dosage
Dosage guidance is withheld because the publication gate has not recorded adequate support for this profile.
Nutritional Profile
Chrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone) is a naturally occurring flavonoid compound, not a macronutrient or conventional food ingredient. Molecular weight: 254.24 g/mol. Chemical formula: C15H10O4. It contains no protein, fat, carbohydrate, fiber, or caloric value in its isolated form. Found naturally in honey (up to ~0.1–1 mg/kg depending on floral source), propolis (concentrations ranging approximately 0.5–2% of dry weight in some samples), passionflower (Passiflora caerulea) aerial parts, and certain mushrooms. As a bioactive compound, it belongs to the flavone subclass of polyphenols, sharing a backbone with apigenin and luteolin. Key bioactive characteristic: two hydroxyl groups at positions 5 and 7 on the A-ring, with an unsubstituted B-ring, distinguishing it from many other flavonoids. Bioavailability is notably poor when taken orally in isolated form — estimated oral bioavailability in humans is below 1–3% due to rapid phase II metabolism (glucuronidation and sulfation), limited aqueous solubility (~0.02 mg/mL in water), and extensive first-pass metabolism. Piperine co-administration has been studied to enhance absorption. Plasma half-life reported at approximately 1.5–3 hours in limited human pharmacokinetic data. No vitamins, essential minerals, or dietary fiber are inherent to the compound itself.
Reported Mechanism (Provisional)
Chrysin upregulates UGT1A1 enzyme activity, which enhances the detoxification of certain chemotherapy drugs like irinotecan and reduces associated gastrointestinal side effects. The flavonoid also modulates cellular signaling pathways involved in cancer cell proliferation, demonstrating cytotoxic effects through apoptosis induction and cell cycle arrest mechanisms.
Clinical Narrative (Provisional)
Human evidence for chrysin remains limited, with preliminary studies showing potential benefits for reducing irinotecan-induced diarrhea through UGT1A1 enzyme modulation. Laboratory studies demonstrate antiproliferative effects against prostate cancer cells with an IC50 of 24.5 µM at 48 hours. Most research consists of preclinical studies and small-scale investigations. Larger, well-controlled human trials are needed to establish definitive therapeutic benefits and optimal dosing protocols.
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