Efficacy of extracting solvents to chemical components of kava (Piper methysticum) roots

Abstract

The chemical composition of kava (Piper methysticum) lactones and various phytochemicals obtained following the sonication of ground kava roots extracted in the solvents hexane, chloroform, acetone, ethanol, methanol and water, respectively, was analyzed. Eighteen kava lactones, cinnamic acid bornyl ester and 5,7-dimethoxy-flavanone, known to be present in kava roots, were identified, and seven compounds, including 2,5,8-trimethyl-1-naphthol, 5-methyl-1-phenylhexen-3-yn-5-ol, 8,11-octadecadienoic acid-methyl ester, 5,7-(OH)(2)-4'-one-6,8-dimethylflavanone, pinostrobin chalcone and 7-dimethoxyflavanone-5-hydroxy-4', were identified for the first time. Glutathione (26.3 mg/g) was found in the water extract. Dihydro-5,6-dehydrokavain (DDK) was present at a higher level than methysticin and desmethoxyyagonin, indicating that DDK is also a major constituent of kava roots. Acetone was the most effective solvent in terms of maximum yield and types of kava lactones isolated, followed by water and chloroform, whereas hexane, methanol, and ethanol were less effective as solvents. Total phenolic and antioxidant activity varied among the extracting solvents, with acetone and chloroform producing the highest effects, followed by water, while methanol, ethanol and hexane were less effective.

Changes in Chemical Composition, Total Phenolics and Antioxidant Activity of Alpinia (<i>Alpinia zerumbet</i>) Leaves Exposed to UV

“…The stronger DPPH radical scavenging activity and greater total phenols of A. zerumbet treated by copper sulphate was corresponded to the increase of phenolic compounds [17]. The changes in amounts of DDK and DK may not influence antioxidant activity of A.zerumbet as the antioxidant capacity of DDK and DK is in rather low magnitudes [23].…”

“…In addition, traditional usage of this plant is reported to treat for various diseases and ailments and consumed as dietary supplement [11,[13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. This herb obviously is well tolerated, and essential oils, phenolic acids, and kavains including dihydro-5,6-dehydrokavain (DDK) and 5,6-dehydrokavain (DK) as its main constituent are well characterized [11,17,18,[20][21][22][23]. The use of A. zerumbet extracts and substituents derived from this plant as antihypertensive, antipsychotic, antidiabetic, antiplatelet, and antiulcer, antioxidant, and anti-HIV agents have been described [13][14][15][16]19].…”

Herbs for the Treatment of Insomnia

“…The active constituents are the kavalactones or kavapyrones, including kawain, dihydrokawain, methysticin, and dihydromethysticin; the CNS activity of kava kava is due to this group of resinous compounds (Cheng et al, 1988;Dinh et al, 2001;Xuan et al, 2008). Research indicates that kava kava acts as a central nervous system depressant, and possesses muscle relaxant and analgesic effects in animals (Abebe, 2002).…”

Anti-inflammatory Effects of Flavokavain C from Kava (Piper methysticum) Root in the LPS-induced Macrophages

“…The root is also used traditional herbal medicine for treating urogenital diseases, rheumatisms, gastrointestinal problems, respiratory irritations, and pulmonary pains [12]. In Europe, kava extracts were utilized in the treatment of chronic inflammations of the urinary tract at the beginning of the 20 th century [13]. Major constituents of kava include a class of lactone compounds referred to as kavalactones exemplified by kavain, methysticin, dihydrokavain, dihydromethysticin, yangoin, and demethoxy-yangonin.…”