Kavalactone

Kavalactones are a class of lactone compounds found in kava roots and Alpinia zerumbet (shell ginger).

[7][8][9] The major kavalactones (except for desmethoxyyangonin) potentiate GABAA receptors, which may underlie the anxiolytic and sedative properties of kava.

[3] Several kavalactones (e.g., methysticin and yangonin) affect a group of enzymes involved in metabolism, called the CYP450 system.

Hepatotoxicity occurred in a small portion of previously healthy kava users,[8][12] particularly from extracts, as opposed to whole root powders.

The average elimination half-life of kavalactones typically present in kava root is 9 hr.