Sylwia Beata Klasik-Ciszewska

Chrysin as a natural polyphenolic compound that supports human health

 

2025-12-11

Introduction. Chrysin, a natural chemical compound of plant origin, has been the subject of numerous studies. It occurs primarily in bee products (honey, propolis), but also in various herbal raw materials, as well as in vegetables, fruits, and mushrooms. It is a polyphenolic compound belonging to the flavonoid group. Chrysin has been attributed to numerous pharmacological activities. The most significant include neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, cardioprotective, anticancer, and antiviral effects. Most of the demonstrated activities stem from its antioxidant and anti‑inflammatory properties. Chrysin influences the activity of transcription factors, growth factors, kinases, adhesion molecules, cytokines, autophagy-related factors, antioxidants, biochemical pathways of oxidative stress, enzymes, and markers associated with cell apoptosis.

Objective. A summary of the current state of knowledge on chrysin as a substance supporting human health. The review highlights the widespread occurrence of chrysin in food products and herbal raw materials. It also highlights its possible therapeutic effects, the most significant of which appear to be its anticancer and anti‑inflammatory effects.

Research methodology. The literature review was conducted using the Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases. Fifty-six full-text, peer-reviewed scientific articles were used, in English and Polish. Websites, monographs, congress and conference proceedings, and books were not included in the review.

Results and conclusions. The review highlights the widespread occurrence of chrysin in both bee products and herbal raw materials and foods. The chemical structure of chrysin and its metabolism are described. The link between this compound’s structure and its biological activity, particularly its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, is demonstrated. The results of selected studies (conducted in vivo and in vitro) confirming chrysin’s broad spectrum of activity are presented. The low bioavailability of chrysin and the need for studies confirming or ruling out the potential toxicity of this flavonoid are also highlighted. A complete characterization of this active substance would require a presentation of all known molecular mechanisms responsible for its pharmacological activity described in the literature, with particular attention to the doses responsible for these effects.

Keywords: chrysin, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effect, anticancer effect.

© Farm Pol, 2025, 81(5): 293–300