Hepatocellular toxicity of kava leaf and root extracts.
Kava extracts are used widely for different purposes and were thought to be safe. Recently, several cases of hepatotoxicity have been published. To explore possible mechanisms of kava hepatotoxicity, we prepared and analyzed three different kava extracts (a methanolic and an acetonic root and a methanolic leaf extract), and investigated their toxicity on HepG2 cells and isolated rat liver mitochondria. All three extracts showed cytotoxicity starting at a concentration of 50 microg/ml (lactate dehydrogenase leakage) or 1 microg/ml (MTT test). The mitochondrial membrane potential was decreased (root extracts starting at 50 microg/ml) and the respiratory chain inhibited and uncoupled (root extracts) or only uncoupled (leaf extract) at 150 microg/ml, and mitochondrial beta-oxidation was inhibited by all extracts starting at 100 microg/ml. The ratio oxidized to reduced glutathione was increased in HepG2 cells, whereas the cellular ATP content was maintained. Induction of apoptosis was demonstrated by all extracts at a concentration of 150 microg/ml. These results indicate that the kava extracts are toxic to mitochondria, leading to inhibition of the respiratory chain, increased ROS production, a decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential and eventually to apoptosis of exposed cells. In predisposed patients, mitochondrial toxicity of kava extract may explain hepatic adverse reactions of this drug.
Division of Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, Department of Research, University Hospital, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland.
Saskia
S
Lüde
Michael
M
Török
Sandy
S
Dieterle
René
R
Jäggi
Karin Berger
KB
Büter
Stephan
S
Krähenbühl
D000096:Acetone / Q000737:chemistry; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D020901:Kava / Q000737:chemistry*; D000432:Methanol / Q000737:chemistry; D008930:Mitochondria, Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D009336:Necrosis; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000633:toxicity*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D023382:Toxicity Tests, Acute
D010936:Plant Extracts; D000096:Acetone; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D005978:Glutathione; D000432:Methanol