Chrysin

Last Updated: September 28 2022

A flavonoid compound found in bee pollen and propolis. Can boost testosterone when injected into testicles; otherwise isn't absorbed at all. Unless better absorption arises, chrysin remains a pretty interesting colon cancer preventative agent that does not boost testosterone.

Chrysin is most often used for

Summary

Chrysin is a bioflavonoid compound found in high levels in propolis and in honey.

Chrysin is most well known for being a testosterone boosting plant compound, although this seems to be a misleading claim. While it has very good mechanisms of action that would lead to the conclusion that it could boost testosterone (as in, it sensitizes the testicles to produce more testosterone and inhibits the conversion of testosterone to estrogen) these both occur at significantly higher oral doses than are seen with oral supplementation. Chrysin appears to be poorly absorbed, and even then it is readily metabolized resulting in insufficient levels in the blood and testes to exert these beneficial effects.

What else is Chrysin known as?
Note that Chrysin is also known as:
  • Propolis
  • Honey extract
  • Passiflora caerulea Linn
Dosage information

Due to the poor bioavailability, the standard supplemental doses of chrysin (400-3,000mg) appear to be pretty much ineffective. Although enhancing absorption can theoretically aid in chryin's effects, this has not yet been demonstrated and thus supplementation of chrysin cannot be recommended for systemic purposes.

A supplemental dose of 400mg chrysin should be sufficient for intestinal related issues.

Supplements Demystified: Get Our Unbiased, Evidence-Based Guide

Examine Database: Chrysin
What works and what doesn't?

Unlock the full potential of Examine

Get started

Don't miss out on the latest research

References
3.^Saarinen N, Joshi SC, Ahotupa M, Li X, Ammälä J, Mäkelä S, Santti RNo evidence for the in vivo activity of aromatase-inhibiting flavonoidsJ Steroid Biochem Mol Biol.(2001 Sep)
4.^Walle T, Otake Y, Brubaker JA, Walle UK, Halushka PVDisposition and metabolism of the flavonoid chrysin in normal volunteersBr J Clin Pharmacol.(2001 Feb)
5.^Galijatovic A, Otake Y, Walle UK, Walle TExtensive metabolism of the flavonoid chrysin by human Caco-2 and Hep G2 cellsXenobiotica.(1999 Dec)
10.^Sanderson JT, Hordijk J, Denison MS, Springsteel MF, Nantz MH, van den Berg MInduction and inhibition of aromatase (CYP19) activity by natural and synthetic flavonoid compounds in H295R human adrenocortical carcinoma cellsToxicol Sci.(2004 Nov)
11.^Jeong HJ, Shin YG, Kim IH, Pezzuto JMInhibition of aromatase activity by flavonoidsArch Pharm Res.(1999 Jun)
15.^Jana K, Yin X, Schiffer RB, Chen JJ, Pandey AK, Stocco DM, Grammas P, Wang XChrysin, a natural flavonoid enhances steroidogenesis and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein gene expression in mouse Leydig cellsJ Endocrinol.(2008 May)
16.^Wang X, Shen CL, Dyson MT, Eimerl S, Orly J, Hutson JC, Stocco DMCyclooxygenase-2 regulation of the age-related decline in testosterone biosynthesisEndocrinology.(2005 Oct)
17.^Ciftci O, Ozdemir I, Aydin M, Beytur ABeneficial effects of chrysin on the reproductive system of adult male ratsAndrologia.(2012 Jun)
18.^Kohut ML, Thompson JR, Campbell J, Brown GA, Vukovich MD, Jackson DA, King DSIngestion of a dietary supplement containing dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and androstenedione has minimal effect on immune function in middle-aged menJ Am Coll Nutr.(2003 Oct)
19.^Brown GA, Vukovich MD, Martini ER, Kohut ML, Franke WD, Jackson DA, King DSEffects of androstenedione-herbal supplementation on serum sex hormone concentrations in 30- to 59-year-old menInt J Vitam Nutr Res.(2001 Sep)
20.^Brown GA, Vukovich MD, Martini ER, Kohut ML, Franke WD, Jackson DA, King DSEndocrine and lipid responses to chronic androstenediol-herbal supplementation in 30 to 58 year old menJ Am Coll Nutr.(2001 Oct)
21.^Brown GA, Vukovich MD, Reifenrath TA, Uhl NL, Parsons KA, Sharp RL, King DSEffects of anabolic precursors on serum testosterone concentrations and adaptations to resistance training in young menInt J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab.(2000 Sep)
22.^Gambelunghe C, Rossi R, Sommavilla M, Ferranti C, Rossi R, Ciculi C, Gizzi S, Micheletti A, Rufini SEffects of chrysin on urinary testosterone levels in human malesJ Med Food.(2003 Winter)
23.^Gyémánt N, Tanaka M, Antus S, Hohmann J, Csuka O, Mándoky L, Molnár JIn vitro search for synergy between flavonoids and epirubicin on multidrug-resistant cancer cellsIn Vivo.(2005 Mar-Apr)
24.^Sawicka D, Car H, Borawska MH, Nikliński JThe anticancer activity of propolisFolia Histochem Cytobiol.(2012 Apr 24)