Effects of chronic chrysin treatment in spontaneously hypertensive rats

The effects of an oral daily dose (20 mg kg(-1)) of the flavonoid chrysin for 6 weeks in spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) were analysed. Chrysin reduces SHR elevated blood pressure, cardiac hypertrophy and functional vascular changes, but is without effect in WKY. These protective effects were associated with a reduced oxidative status due to the antioxidant properties of the drug.