Chrysin is an abundant flavonoid in nature, and it is also contained by several dietary supplements. Chrysin is highly biotransformed in the body, during which conjugated metabolites chrysin-7-sulfate and chrysin-7-glucuronide are formed. These conjugates appear at considerably higher concentrations in the circulation than the parent compound. Based on previous studies, chrysin can interact with biotransformation enzymes and transporters; however, the interactions of its metabolites have been barely examined. In this in vitro study, the effects of chrysin, chrysin-7-sulfate, and chrysin-7-glucuronide on cytochrome P450 enzymes (2C9, 2C19, 3A4, and 2D6) as well as on organic anion-transporting polypeptides (OATPs; 1A2, 1B1, 1B3, and 2B1) and ATP binding cassette [P-glycoprotein, multidrug resistance-associated protein 2, and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP)] transporters were investigated. Our observations revealed that chrysin conjugates are strong inhibitors of certain biotransformation enzymes (e.g., CYP2C9) and transporters (e.g., OATP1B1, OATP1B3, OATP2B1, and BCRP) examined. Therefore, the simultaneous administration of chrysin-containing dietary supplements with medications needs to be carefully considered due to the possible development of pharmacokinetic interactions. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Chrysin-7-sulfate and chrysin-7-glucuronide are the major metabolites of flavonoid chrysin. In this study, we examined the effects of chrysin and its conjugates on cytochrome P450 enzymes and on organic anion-transporting polypeptides and ATP binding cassette transporters (P-glycoprotein, breast cancer resistance protein, and multidrug resistance-associated protein 2). Our results demonstrate that chrysin and/or its conjugates can significantly inhibit some of these proteins. Since chrysin is also contained by dietary supplements, high intake of chrysin may interrupt the transport and/or the biotransformation of drugs.
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