Kava or kava-kava （Piper methysticum） is a plant used for the production of a ritual drink with tranquilizing properties. The kavalactones are the main compounds of the kava drinks （see Table 1 for names and struct...Kava or kava-kava （Piper methysticum） is a plant used for the production of a ritual drink with tranquilizing properties. The kavalactones are the main compounds of the kava drinks （see Table 1 for names and structures of the main kavalactones）. There are many clinical trials on the use of kava product for anti-anxiety, and a systematic review supports the use of kava for the treatment of generalized anxiety （Sarris et al., 2009）. Adverse effects on the liver have been reported, and kava is regulated in a number of countries （Teschke, 2010）.展开更多
AIM: To investigate whether the major kavalactone kavain imposes adverse effects on the liver ultrastructure and function by affecting vascular and microvascular architecture and altering hepatocellular morphology. ME...AIM: To investigate whether the major kavalactone kavain imposes adverse effects on the liver ultrastructure and function by affecting vascular and microvascular architecture and altering hepatocellular morphology. METHODS: Kavain solution (10 μg/mL or 43.5 μmol/L) was perfused for 2 h in isolated rat livers. After standard fi xation and tissue preparation,the samples were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM),transmission electron microscopy (TEM),and light microscopy (LM). RESULTS: LM,SEM,and TEM examinations indicated kavain-treated rat livers (n = 4) displayed severe vascular and endothelial damage compared to control livers (n = 4). CONCLUSION: The data so far support the hypothesis that kavain induces adverse effects on liver; additional investigations with other kavalactones and their effects on liver are urgently needed.展开更多
基金supported by the grants from the Ministry of Science and Technology,Taiwan,China(formerly National Science Council Taiwan)(NSC 99-2811-M-324-003,NSC 101-2320-B-324-001)
文摘Kava or kava-kava （Piper methysticum） is a plant used for the production of a ritual drink with tranquilizing properties. The kavalactones are the main compounds of the kava drinks （see Table 1 for names and structures of the main kavalactones）. There are many clinical trials on the use of kava product for anti-anxiety, and a systematic review supports the use of kava for the treatment of generalized anxiety （Sarris et al., 2009）. Adverse effects on the liver have been reported, and kava is regulated in a number of countries （Teschke, 2010）.
文摘AIM: To investigate whether the major kavalactone kavain imposes adverse effects on the liver ultrastructure and function by affecting vascular and microvascular architecture and altering hepatocellular morphology. METHODS: Kavain solution (10 μg/mL or 43.5 μmol/L) was perfused for 2 h in isolated rat livers. After standard fi xation and tissue preparation,the samples were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM),transmission electron microscopy (TEM),and light microscopy (LM). RESULTS: LM,SEM,and TEM examinations indicated kavain-treated rat livers (n = 4) displayed severe vascular and endothelial damage compared to control livers (n = 4). CONCLUSION: The data so far support the hypothesis that kavain induces adverse effects on liver; additional investigations with other kavalactones and their effects on liver are urgently needed.
