Exploring the potential of chrysin in oral cancer: What do current evidence show?

Objective This integrative review aims to answer the following question: what do studies evaluating the effect of chrysin on oral cancer report? Methods PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were used to select the articles. Science in Risk Assessment and Policy tool was used to assess the reliability and relevance of the data and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses were followed as much as possible. Results Eight studies were included, most of which evaluated, in vitro, the effects of chrysin on oral cancer cell lines representing distinct histopathological entities (SCC-9, SCC-25, HSC-4, CAL-27 and MC-3). In general, studies indicate that chrysin exerts its antitumor effects primarily through the induction of apoptosis, inhibition of cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and modulation of molecular pathways. Through the MAPK/ERK pathway, increase pro-apoptotic proteins, reduce anti-apoptotic proteins, and increase the production of reactive oxygen species. Chrysin has been shown to potentiate the action of chemotherapeutic agents, such as cisplatin, and can act in the regulation of microRNAs associated with cell growth and death. In in vivo models, chrysin has also shown the ability to reduce tumor volume and growth. Conclusions The findings presented in this study shows that chrysin is a compound that has adjuvant potential for the treatment of malignant neoplasms of the oral cavity, and may affect different signaling pathways. Nanoencapsulation strategies have shown promise in increasing its in vivo efficacy. The main limitation relates to oral bioavailability.