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Published on: October 2, 2016
Toxicity of kava kava
Peter P Fu1, Qingsu Xia, Lei Guo
1National Center for Toxicological Research, Jefferson, Arkansas 72079, USA. peter.fu@fda.hhs.gov
Summary
Kava, a popular anti-anxiety beverage, requires further study regarding long-term safety. Research is ongoing to understand kava
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Natural Products Research
Background:
- Kava (Piper methysticum) is a traditional Pacific Basin beverage marketed in the U.S. primarily for anxiety relief.
- Adequate documentation on the long-term health effects of kava consumption is lacking.
- Preliminary evidence suggests potential adverse organ system effects and unknown carcinogenic potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent findings on kava toxicity, focusing on mechanisms of hepatotoxicity.
- To address the knowledge gap regarding the safety of kava extract, nominated for chronic tumorigenicity bioassay by the National Toxicology Program (NTP).
Main Methods:
- Review of recent toxicological evaluations and scientific literature on kava extract.
- Focus on studies investigating the mechanisms of kava-induced liver injury (hepatotoxicity).
Main Results:
- Preliminary studies indicate potential for serious organ system effects from kava consumption.
- The carcinogenic potential of kava and its constituents remains undetermined.
- Ongoing toxicological evaluation by the NTP is assessing kava extract safety.
Conclusions:
- Further research is critical to elucidate the long-term safety profile of kava.
- Understanding the mechanisms of kava hepatotoxicity is essential for risk assessment.
- The NTP's ongoing bioassay will provide crucial data on kava's chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity.
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