Piperdine alkaloids of kava (journal)

[CloudyHazeD]

interesting journal paper about kava alkaloids..........

Piperidine alkaloids from Piper methysticum.
Dragull K, Yoshida WY, Tang CS.

Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1955 East-West Road Agricultural Science 218, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.


-Pipermethystine (1), 3alpha,4alpha-epoxy-5beta-pipermethystine (2) and awaine (3) were isolated from the aerial parts of kava (Piper methysticum G. Forster, Piperaceae) and identified by HRMS and NMR spectroscopic analysis. 1 was concentrated in the stem peelings and leaves. 2 and 3 are new alkaloids with 2 found only in cv. Isa among the 11 cultivars examined, and 3 occurred primarily in young leaves of all cultivars. The stem peelings have been used in recent years as a source of kavalactones in kava dietary supplement industry. Quantitative aspects of these piperidine alkaloids in P. methysticum and their potential activities on human physiology are discussed.


http://www.box.net/shared/eusjh4gjbr

let me know if that works o.k.......never used this upload site before

 

[CloudyHazeD]

Also,

Kava kava: examining new reports of toxicity

Dallas L. Clouatre
Clouatre Consulting Group, 1223 Wilshire Blvd. 761, Santa Monica, CA 90403-5400, USA

Received 9 January 2003; received in revised form 12 May 2003; accepted 22 July 2003

Abstract

Before 1998, extracts of kava kava, Piper methysticum, were considered to be very safe alternatives to anxiolytic drugs and
to possibly exert a wide range of other benefits. Major reviews published through the end of 2002 continued to confirm kava’s
safety and efficacy. Nevertheless, by January 2003 kava extracts had been banned in the entire European Union and Canada,
and were subject to cautions and advisories by the US FDA as a result of 11 cases of hepatic failure leading to liver transplants,
including four deaths. A total of 78 cases of hepatotoxicity reputedly linked to kava ingestion are available for review from
various databases. Of these adverse events, four probably are linked to kavalactones taken alone and another 23 are potentially
linked to kava intake, but also involve the concomitant ingestion of other compounds with potential hepatotoxicity. Three possible
mechanisms for kavalactone hepatotoxicity are known: inhibition of cytochrome P450, reduction in liver glutathione content
and, more remotely, inhibition of cyclooxygenase enzyme activity. The direct toxicity of kava extracts is quite small under any
analysis, yet the potential for drug interactions and/or the potentiation of the toxicity of other compounds is large. Presently,
kava toxicity appears to be “idiosyncratic.” The risk-to-benefit ratio of kava extracts, nevertheless, remains good in comparison
with that of other drugs used to treat anxiety.

http://www.box.net/shared/cmatkc3uoc

 

[qwe]

what are the (brain) molecular targets of kavalactones?

one pubmed article indicates GABA

 

[jasoncrest]

So there is no "Pipermethystine" in most Kava extracts you can buy, as Pipermethystine is present only in aerial parts of kava, while most extracts are root extracts.....

 

[CloudyHazeD]

what are the (brain) molecular targets of kavalactones?

one pubmed article indicates GABA

thats what I have always read...... never was able to find a definate answer but I suppose GABA makes sense

 

[Morninggloryseed]

Thanks for the article.