Strychnine antagonistic potency of pyrone compounds of the kavaroot (Piper methysticum Forst.)

Extracts of kava ( Piper methysticum ) induce acute anxiolytic-like behavioral changes in mice

“…The onset of both sedative and anxiolytic-like behavioral changes we observed have the same rapid time course as those reported by others for kava extracts and kava lactones (Kretzschmar et al 1970). We found that the onset of the anxiolytic and sedative effects occurred within 10 min after injection.…”

“…Kretzschmar et al (1970) showed that the rank order of potency of four kava lactones varied between loss of righting reflex and antagonism of strychnine-induced lethality. Dihydrokavain, dihydromethysticin, kavain and methysticin produce analgesia (Jamieson and Duffield 1990); however, of these four compounds, only methysticin and dihydromethysticin protect against ischemia-induced brain damage (Backhauß and Krieglstein 1992).…”

“…Kava also was used by Oceania natives as an analgesic, sudorific, diuretic, and antipyretic, and to treat venereal diseases, gout and diarrhea (Keller and Klohs 1963). Studies in laboratory animals have shown that kava extracts possess sedative, anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, analgesic, muscle relaxant and neuroprotective activities (O'Hara et al 1965;Kretzschmar et al 1970;Jamieson and Duffield 1990;Backhauß and Krieglstein 1992;Martin et al 2000;Smith et al 2001;Rex et al 2002). Over-the-counter preparations of kava (e.g.…”

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic drug interactions with Kava (Piper methysticum Forst. f.)

“…The major kavalactones display anticonvulsive action against maximal electroshock, strychnine and pentylenetetrazole induced convulsions in mice (Klohs et al, 1959;Kretzschmar and Meyer, 1969;Kretzschmar et al, 1970). Consistent with this, methysticin also displayed anticonvulsive properties using rat hippocampal and entorhinal cortex slices as models of seizure-like events (Schmitz et al, 1995).…”

2-Acil-cicloexano-1,3-dionas de Peperomia trineura (Miq.)

“…Antitrombótica Pironas (Gleitz et al, 1997) Antagônica sobre estricnina (Kretzschmar et al, 1970) P. solmsianum Tripanocida Lignanas (Martins et al, 2003) Peperomia duclouxii Citotóxica contra células WI-38, VA-13 e HepG2…”