Is the alkaloid pipermethystine connected with the claimed liver toxicity of Kava products?

Pharmazie. 2008 Jan;63(1):71-4.

Abstract

The pyridone alkaloid pipermethystine has been considered to be responsible for alleged hepatoxicity of Kava products. Investigation of a series of retain samples of finished products from the German market and self-produced extracts from root and stem material of Piper methysticum clearly showed that pipermethystine (1) is absent from all root and retain samples and extracts, with a limit of quantification of 45 ppm. As a positive control, leaves of P. methysticum showed an amount of 0.2% of 1. Thus, if there is any hepatotoxicity, compound 1 should not be the responsible constituent in the case reports with ethanolic extracts produced in Germany.

MeSH terms

  • Alkaloids / isolation & purification*
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury
  • Chromatography, Thin Layer
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Kava / chemistry*
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Plant Extracts / analysis
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry
  • Plant Roots / chemistry
  • Plant Stems / chemistry
  • Pyridones / isolation & purification*
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

Substances

  • Alkaloids
  • Plant Extracts
  • Pyridones
  • pipermethystine