Pepper (Piper), P. methysticum, ext.

Composition

1. Lactones The main active ingredients in kava pepper are fat-soluble resins, most of which are α-pyrone derivatives, namely Kavalactones: Methysticin, Dihydrodrizzle Dihydrokawain (DHK), Kawain, Methoxy-Kawain (Yangonin), Dihydromethysticin (DHM), Desmethoxyyangonin (Desmethoxyyangonin) ,5,6-dehydro narcotic capsaicin (5,6-dehyd-tomethysticin), 11-methoxy-demethoxy-noryangonin (11-methyoxy-noryangonin) and the like. There are also p-methoxykawain (P-methoxykawain), sheep high Ning dimer, demethoxy sheep high Ning dimer.
2. Alkaloids and amides were separated from kava to obtain pyrrolidine alkaloids 1-Cinnamoylpyrrolidinel-(m-methoxy-cinnamoyl)-pyrrolidine, etc.
3. Other kava also contain 18 kinds of organic acids .

Biological Functions

Modern research shows that it has sedative, sleep relaxation, weight loss, anti-fatigue and other effects. It can be used as an anesthetic, sweating agent, diuretic, expectorant, and has the effect of treating gonorrhea, syphilis, urethral hemorrhage, chronic cystitis, and rheumatism.

Pharmacology

1. Nervous system effect
(1) Anxiolytic effect Kavalactone can improve the attention, memory and reaction of patients with anxiety disorders, and make the patients in a relaxed state, but its effect is slow.
(3) Local anaesthetic effect Kava extract can cause muscle paralysis, has local anaesthetic effect on experimental frogs, and paralyzes the wings of bats and sparrows. The mechanism of action is similar to lidocaine, acting by blocking potential-dependent sodium channels.
2. Antifungal effect

3. Muscle relaxation effect
Various types of kava piperonones have muscle relaxation effects on various experimental animals, and are more effective than Mephenesin Protection of mice against the convulsant and lethal effects of strychnine.