Toxicity of kava kava.
Kava is a traditional beverage of various Pacific Basin countries. Kava has been introduced into the mainstream U.S. market principally as an anti-anxiety preparation. The effects of the long-term consumption of kava have not been documented adequately. Preliminary studies suggest possible serious organ system effects. The potential carcinogenicity of kava and its principal constituents are unknown. As such, kava extract was nominated for the chronic tumorigenicity bioassay conducted by the National Toxicology Program (NTP). At present toxicological evaluation of kava extract is being conducted by the NTP. The present review focuses on the recent findings on kava toxicity and the mechanisms by which kava induces hepatotoxicity.
Fu
Peter P
PP
National Center for Toxicological Research, Jefferson, Arkansas 72079, USA. peter.fu@fda.hhs.gov
Xia
Qingsu
Q
Guo
Lei
L
Yu
Hongtao
H
Chan
Po-Chuen
PC
D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D004285:Dogs; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control; D006801:Humans; D020901:Kava / Q000737:chemistry; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D018675:Toxicity Tests
D010936:Plant Extracts