Anticonvulsive action of (±)-kavain estimated from its properties on stimulated synaptosomes and Na+ channel receptor sites

Natural remedies for anxiety disorders: potential use and clinical applications

“…[19,20] Evidence also suggests that Kava may exert its effects through its actions on sodium and calcium voltagedependent channels. [21,22] A meta-analysis of six placebo-controlled studies using the total score of the Hamilton Anxiety Scale as a common outcome measure suggests a significant reduction in patients receiving kava extract compared with patients receiving placebo [weighted mean difference: 5.0, 95% confidence interval: 1.1-8.8; P 5.01; n 5 345]. [23] More recently, another meta-analysis [24] identified six placebo-controlled studies-only three of such studies overlapping with the previous meta-analysis-and also suggested efficacy of a specific Kava extract-WS1490 (mean change on HAM-A 5 5.94, 95% confidence interval À0.86 to 12.8).…”

Herbal Medicines and Epilepsy: The Potential for Benefit and Adverse Effects

“…It has been proposed that they bind to the Na ϩ channel in its inactivated state and prolong inactivation (12). Micromolar concentrations of kavain inhibit L-type Ca 2ϩ channels, significantly reducing the subsequent release of endogenous glutamate (14).…”

Kava treatment in patients with anxiety

“…Studies have been contradictory regarding its GABA-receptor-binding capacity (Jussofie et al, 1994;Davies et al, 1992). However, a major mechanism in anticonvulsive, analgesic and centrally muscle relaxing effects is assumed to be the blockage of voltage-gated sodium and calcium channels (Schirrmacher et al, 1999;Friese and Gleitz, 1998;Gleitz et al, 1995) which thus suppresses the release of endogenous glutamate (Gleitz et al, 1996). Additional psychotropic effects may be due to influences on neurotransmitter metabolism by blocking of MAO-B (Uebelhack et al, 1998), the activation of mesolimbic dopaminergic neurons or effects on 5-serotonin levels (Baum et al, 1998).…”