Therapeutic Potential of Chrysin in Improving Bone Health

Vitamin D deficiency is endemic worldwide. Although several strategies have been established to enhance vitamin D-3 levels, studies specifically focusing on the inhibition of vitamin D metabolism, which may prolong the availability of active vitamin D in pathological conditions, have been less explored. Studies also suggest that higher doses of vitamin D-3 fail to achieve optimum vitamin D levels. In this context, we focused on the enzyme CYP3A4, which promotes the inactivation of active vitamin D. The current study aimed to decipher the impact of chrysin, a proven CYP3A4 inhibitor, as an intervention and its effects in combination with low-dose vitamin D-3 (40 IU) and bone health in vitamin D deficiency conditions. The in vivo activity of chrysin was evaluated in female Wistar albino rats fed a vitamin-D-deficient diet to attain vitamin D deficiency for 28 days. Chrysin was given alone and in combination with calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and/or vitamin D-3. All therapeutic interventions were assessed for serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3(25-OH-D-3) by LC-MS and biochemical, urinary, and bone parameters. Animals treated with chrysin alone and in combination with low-dose vitamin D-3 and/or CaCO3 showed an eminent rise in serum 25-OH-D-3 levels along with increased serum biochemical parameters. In contrast, a significant decrease in the urinary parameters followed by beneficial effects on bone parameters was noticed in contrast with the vitamin-D-deficient diet group. Our findings revealed that although chrysin alone showed a notable effect on 25-OH-D-3 and osseous tissue, comparatively, it showed an intensified therapeutic effect in combination with vitamin D-3 and CaCO3, which can be employed as a cost-effective option to improve bone health.