Proposal for a kava quality standardization code. 2011

Rolf Teschke, and Vincent Lebot
Department of Internal Medicine II, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Klinikum Hanau, Teaching Hospital of the Goethe University of Frankfurt/Main, Germany. rolf.teschke@gmx.de

Rare cases of hepatotoxicity emerged with the use of kava drugs and dietary supplements prepared from rhizomes and roots of the South Pacific plant kava (Piper methysticum). Their psychoactive, anxiolytic, relaxing, and recreational ingredients are the kavalactones kavain, dihydrokavain, methysticin, dihydromethysticin, yangonin, and desmethoxyyangonin, but there is little evidence that these kavalactones or the non-kavalactones pipermethystine and flavokavain B are the culprits of the adverse hepatic reactions. It rather appears that poor quality of the kava material was responsible for the liver toxicity. Analysis of existing kava quality standardizations with focus on chemical, agricultural, manufacturing, nutritional, regulatory, and legislation backgrounds showed major shortcomings that could easily explain quality problems. We therefore suggest a uniform, internationally accepted device for kava quality standardizations that are in the interest of the consumers because of safety reasons and will meet the expectations of kava farmers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, regulators of agencies, and legislators. The initial step resides in the establishment of Pan-Pacific kava quality legislation as an important part of the proposed Kava Quality Standardization Code. In conclusion, a sophisticated approach to establish kava quality standardizations is needed for safe human use of kava as relaxing traditional beverages, the anxiolytic drugs, and recreational dietary supplements.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D012015 Reference Standards A basis of value established for the measure of quantity, weight, extent or quality, e.g. weight standards, standard solutions, methods, techniques, and procedures used in diagnosis and therapy. Standard Preparations,Standards, Reference,Preparations, Standard,Standardization,Standards,Preparation, Standard,Reference Standard,Standard Preparation,Standard, Reference
D004364 Pharmaceutical Preparations Drugs intended for human or veterinary use, presented in their finished dosage form. Included here are materials used in the preparation and/or formulation of the finished dosage form. Drug,Drugs,Pharmaceutical,Pharmaceutical Preparation,Pharmaceutical Product,Pharmaceutic Preparations,Pharmaceutical Products,Pharmaceuticals,Preparations, Pharmaceutical,Preparation, Pharmaceutical,Preparations, Pharmaceutic,Product, Pharmaceutical,Products, Pharmaceutical
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001628 Beverages Liquids that are suitable for drinking. (From Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary, 10th ed) Beverage
D019587 Dietary Supplements Products in capsule, tablet or liquid form that provide dietary ingredients, and that are intended to be taken by mouth to increase the intake of nutrients. Dietary supplements can include macronutrients, such as proteins, carbohydrates, and fats; and/or MICRONUTRIENTS, such as VITAMINS; MINERALS; and PHYTOCHEMICALS. Food Supplements,Neutraceuticals,Dietary Supplementations,Food Supplementations,Herbal Supplements,Nutraceuticals,Nutriceuticals,Dietary Supplement,Food Supplement,Herbal Supplement,Neutraceutical,Nutraceutical,Nutriceutical,Supplement, Food,Supplement, Herbal,Supplementations, Dietary,Supplements, Dietary,Supplements, Food,Supplements, Herbal
D020901 Kava Dried rhizome and roots of Piper methysticum, a shrub native to Oceania and known for its anti-anxiety and sedative properties. Heavy usage results in some adverse effects. It contains ALKALOIDS; LACTONES; kawain, methysticin, mucilage, STARCH, and yangonin. Kava is also the name of the pungent beverage prepared from the plant's roots. Piper methysticum,Kava Kava,Kawa,Kawa Kawa,Kava Kavas,Kava, Kava,Kavas,Kavas, Kava,Kawa Kawas,Kawa, Kawa,Kawas,Kawas, Kawa,Piper methysticums,methysticums, Piper

Related Publications

Rolf Teschke, and Vincent Lebot
January 2002, Tumori,
Rolf Teschke, and Vincent Lebot
June 2022, The Journal of prosthetic dentistry,
Rolf Teschke, and Vincent Lebot
January 2000, Cambridge quarterly of healthcare ethics : CQ : the international journal of healthcare ethics committees,
Rolf Teschke, and Vincent Lebot
January 2022, Respiration; international review of thoracic diseases,
Rolf Teschke, and Vincent Lebot
January 1991, Biomedical instrumentation & technology,
Rolf Teschke, and Vincent Lebot
December 1966, The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness,
Rolf Teschke, and Vincent Lebot
July 2005, Trends in cognitive sciences,
Rolf Teschke, and Vincent Lebot
January 1974, Acta oto-rhino-laryngologica Belgica,
Rolf Teschke, and Vincent Lebot
December 1990, Journal of medical systems,
Copied contents to your clipboard!