Kava feeding in rats does not cause liver injury nor enhance galactosamine-induced hepatitis.
Kava, like a number of herbals, has been associated with causing liver damage based on limited evidence. In contrast, the present study found that in rats, 3 mo feedings of two types of kava extracts (an acetone extract and an ethanol extract of the Samoan kava cultivar Ava Laau) at three different doses (31.25, 62.5 and 133 mg/kg diet) produced no liver injury based on serum markers of liver damage (sorbitol dehydrogenase activities, bile acid concentrations, and beta-glucuronidase activities) and serum lipid peroxide readings. In fact, for some measurements and some kava doses, the injury marker readings were below control values. Moreover, for these same parameters, kava feeding did not enhance the effects of the hepatotoxin galacatosamine (500 mg/kg ip); some kava doses even showed modest protection against liver injury. Liver histology analysis showed no signs of kava causing or enhancing liver injury. Thus, this study does not support the concept that kava produces or aggravates liver injury.
DiSilvestro
Robert A
RA
Human Nutrition, The Ohio State University, 345 Campbell Hall, 1787 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210-1295, United States. disilvestro.1@osu.edu
Zhang
Wenyi
W
DiSilvestro
David J
DJ
D000096:Acetone / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D001647:Bile Acids and Salts / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000209:etiology*; D004032:Diet; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004357:Drug Synergism; D000431:Ethanol / Q000737:chemistry; D005688:Galactosamine / Q000633:toxicity*; D005966:Glucuronidase / Q000097:blood; D020901:Kava / Q000737:chemistry*; D007064:L-Iditol 2-Dehydrogenase / Q000097:blood; D008054:Lipid Peroxides / Q000097:blood; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry
D001647:Bile Acids and Salts; D015415:Biomarkers; D008054:Lipid Peroxides; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012997:Solvents; D000096:Acetone; D000431:Ethanol; D005688:Galactosamine; D007064:L-Iditol 2-Dehydrogenase; D005966:Glucuronidase