Desmethoxyyangonin or
5,6-dehydrokawain is one of the six major
kavalactoneKavalactones are a class of lactone compounds found in the kava shrub.-Compounds:At least 18 different kavalactones have been identified to date, with methysticin being the first identified. Synthetic analogues, such as ethysticin, also exist....
s found in the
Piper methysticum (kava) plant.
Discussion
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Desmethoxyyangonin or
5,6-dehydrokawain is one of the six major
kavalactoneKavalactones are a class of lactone compounds found in the kava shrub.-Compounds:At least 18 different kavalactones have been identified to date, with methysticin being the first identified. Synthetic analogues, such as ethysticin, also exist....
s found in the
Piper methysticum (kava) plant.
Pharmacology
Desmethoxyyangonin is a reversible
inhibitorMonoamine oxidase inhibitors are a class of powerful antidepressant drugs prescribed for the treatment of depression. They are particularly effective in treating atypical depression, and have also shown efficacy in smoking cessation....
of
monoamine oxidase BMonoamine oxidase B, also known as MAOB, is a protein which in humans is encoded by the MAOB gene.The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the flavin monoamine oxidase family. It is an enzyme located in the mitochondrial outer membrane...
(MAO-B). It is able to increase
dopamineDopamine is a neurotransmitter occurring in a wide variety of animals, including both vertebrates and invertebrates. In the brain, this phenethylamine functions as a neurotransmitter, activating the five types of dopamine receptors — D
1, D
2, D
3, D
4, and...
levels in the
nucleus accumbensThe nucleus accumbens , also known as the accumbens nucleus or as the nucleus accumbens septi , is a collection of neurons within the striatum. It is thought to play an important role in reward, laughter, pleasure, addiction, fear, and the placebo effect.Each half of the brain has one nucleus...
. This may be the reason for the
euphoriaEuphoria is an emotional and mental state defined as a sense of great elation and well being.Euphoria or euphoric may also refer to:* Euphoria , genus of scarab beetles...
from Kava consumption. Addictive drugs such as Cocaine and Amphetamine also raise dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens, the part of the brain responsible for feelings of pleasure and euphoria as do all other addictive substances to varying degrees.
Desmethoxyyangonin has marked activity on the induction of CYP3A23.