Methysticin is one of the six major
kavalactone
Kavalactones are a class of lactone compounds found in kava roots and Alpinia zerumbet (Shell ginger). Kavalactones are under research for potential to have various psychotropic effects, including anxiolytic and sedative/ hypnotic activities.
En ...
s found in the
kava
Kava or kava kava (''Piper methysticum'': Latin 'pepper' and Latinized Greek 'intoxicating') is a crop of the Pacific Islands. The name ''kava'' is from Tongan and Marquesan, meaning 'bitter'; other names for kava include ''ʻawa'' (Hawaiʻi), ...
plant.
Research suggests that methysticin and the related compound
dihydromethysticin have
CYP1A1
Cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily A, polypeptide 1 is a protein
that in humans is encoded by the ''CYP1A1'' gene.
The protein is a member of the cytochrome P450 superfamily of enzymes.
Function
Metabolism of xenobiotics and drugs
CYP1A1 ...
inducing effects which may be responsible for their toxicity.
Additionally, methysticin has been shown to potentiate
GABAA receptor activity, contributing to the overall
anxiolytic
An anxiolytic (; also antipanic or antianxiety agent) is a medication or other intervention that reduces anxiety. This effect is in contrast to anxiogenic agents which increase anxiety. Anxiolytic medications are used for the treatment of anxi ...
profile of the kava plant.
Toxicity
Methysticin induces the function of the hepatic enzyme CYP1A1. This enzyme is involved in the
toxification
Toxication, toxification or toxicity exaltation is the conversion of a chemical compound into a more toxic form in living organisms or in substrates such as soil or water. The conversion can be caused by enzymatic metabolism in the organisms, as we ...
of
benzo yrene">'a''yrene into
(+)-benzo yrene-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide">'a''yrene-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide, a highly carcinogenic substance. Another related compound is dihydromethysticin, which also induces the function of CYP1A1.
No report so far has described enhancement of CYP1A1 expression in animals or humans in vivo from any constituent of kava.
References
{{GABAAR PAMs
Ethers
Kavalactones
Benzodioxoles
Alkene derivatives
GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulators
Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
Calcium channel blockers
Sodium channel blockers
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors