Kava is a perennial shrub native to South Pacific islands whose root is used medicinally. Its active components are kavalactones which have anxiolytic, sedative, and muscle relaxing properties. Kava is used to treat anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, and tension. It may also have neuroprotective, analgesic, and antibacterial effects. Kava use comes with risks of liver toxicity and interactions with other drugs metabolized by the liver or that cause drowsiness. Its use is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

1. Kava-Kava
Submitted To-
Prof. Maninder Karan
Submitted By-
Prerna (1737), Priyansha (1738)
B. Pharm 3rd Year

2.  Biological Name: Piper methysticum G.
Forst
 Family: Piperaceae
 Habitat: Native to South Pacific Islands,
western Pacific, Historically it has been
grown in Hawaii, Federated States of
Micronesia, Vanuatu, Fiji, the Samoas, and
Tonga. It is a cash crop in Vanuatu and Fiji.
 Description: Perennial shrub, around 1-5 m
tall.
 Other Names: kava, awa (Hawaii), ava
(Samoa), yaqona (Fiji), sakau (Pohnpei),
and malok or malogu (parts of Vanuatu).
 Parts Used: Rootstock
Introduction

3. Chemical Constituents
 Kavalactones or Kavapyrones (Methysticin,
Dihydromethysticin or DMH, Yangonin, Dihydrokawain or
DHK, Kawain, Demethoxyyangonin): active ingredients
responsible for about 96% of plant’s pharmacological
activity.
 Flavonoids (chalcones, flavokavin A, B and C): minor
 Alkaloids (pipermethystine: toxic component not present in
consumable parts): generally present in roots and leaves in
small amounts.
 Kawain is considered as one of the principle biologically
active components of Kava.

4. Uses Of Kava-Kava
Its roots have a number of benefits, they include-
Uses due to kavalactone:
 Effective in treating anxiety (anxiolytic), tension, restlessness and
depression.
 Act primarily on the limbic system, thus promoting sleep
 Protects the brain against damage due to ischemia, limits necrosis
of affected brain area.
Uses specifically due to kawain, methysticin , yangonin:
 Anesthetic, anti-convulsant, antidote, anti-inflammatory,
antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, fungicide, myorelaxant, sedative, and
tranquilizer.
 Neuro-protective action
 Anti bacterial

5. Uses specifically due to Dihydrokavain and
Dihydromethysticin:
 analgesic effectiveness comparable to that of aspirin,
without the side effect of peptic ulcers.
Other uses:
 When consumed in large amounts, it imparts a euphoric
state, so regarded as an aphrodisiac.
 Used for both acute and chronic gonorrhea, vaginitis,
syphilis, leucorrhoea, nocturnal incontinence, urinary
infections, irritable bladder, gout, rheumatism, bronchial
ailments, and other ailments resulting from heart trouble.
 Beneficial in treating menstrual cramps as the Kava Kava
will relax the uterus.
 used to prevent, relieve or even cure rheumatism.
 used externally for ringworm and athlete’s
foot. Traditionally, Kava Kava was given to feverish or
restless children to help them go to sleep.

6.  Traditionally used by Hawaiian
healers to help sufferers of
asthma and other
bronchopulmonary ailment.
 To treat kidney infections, or
other urinary disorders.
 Blood-cleansing herb, and also
as a diaphoretic.

7. FORMULATIONS

8. Dosing
ORALADMINISTRATION-
For Anxiety:
 50-100 mg of a specific kava extract (WS 1490, Dr. Willmar
Schwabe Pharmaceuticals), taken thrice daily for up to 25 weeks.
 Also, 400 mg of another specific kava extract (LI 150, Lichtwer
Pharma) taken daily for 8 weeks.
 Five kava tablets each containing 50 mg of kavalactones have
been taken in three divided doses daily for one week.
 One to two kava extract tablets has been taken twice daily for 6
weeks.
 Calcium supplements plus 100-200 mg of kava taken daily for 3
months has also been used.

9.  Parkinson’s Disease patients have been reported to be
adversely affected by this.
 Inflammation of the body and eyes, leprous ulcers;
the skin becoming parched and peeling off in
scales. This condition is known as Kani, named by
the Pacific Islanders.
 FDA is trying to ban Kava kava claiming its role in
liver damage, however no scientific published studies
have proven the same, but still contraindicated in
patients with renal disease, bile-duct obstruction, and
hepatic diseases.
SIDE EFFECTS

11. DRUG INTERACTIONS
 All medications metabolized by CYP450 in liver interacts
with Kava Kava.
 6 major interactions reported for Kava are with:
Buprenorphine, Leflunomide, Teriflunomide, Lomitapide,
Mipomersen and Pexidartinib.
 Contraindicated for people using anti-coagulant
medications, such as Warfarin.
 Should not be taken with alcohol, barbiturates and other
CNS depressants or anti-psychotic medications, such as
Haldol or Mellaril.
 Should also not be used by people taking anti-anxiety
medications, such as Xanax (Alprazolam) and other
sedatives; as it can lead to too much drowsiness.
 It interacts with Levodopa, thus decreasing its effectiveness.

12. Kava may cause weaken muscle tone in the uterus, so
not given in pregnancy.
Kava may pass into breast milk and may harm the
nursing baby, so Kava avoided during breast feeding.
KAVA AND PREGNANCY
HERBAL INTERACTIONS
Avoid using Kava together with other herbal/health
supplements that can also harm the liver. This includes
Niacin(Vitamin B3), red yeast, androstenedione, DHEA,
etc.
Avoid using Kava with other herbal/health supplements
that can also cause drowsiness. This includes California
poppy, catnip, gotu kola, melatonin, St. John’s wort,
valerian, etc.

13. References
https://www.herballegacy.com/Wolsey_Chemical.html
Evans.W.C; Trease And Evans Pharmacognosy; 6th ed;
Saunders Elsevier; 2009; pp- 27, 492, 495.
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-
872/kava

14. THANK
YOU!