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Does inflammation play a role in kava hepatotoxicity?
Author(s) -
Zhang Lillian Yuan,
Rowe Anthony,
Ramzan Iqbal
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
phytotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.019
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1573
pISSN - 0951-418X
DOI - 10.1002/ptr.3301
Subject(s) - kava , circumstantial evidence , inflammation , cytochrome p450 , medicine , glutathione , pharmacology , pharmacogenomics , hepatitis , cyp3a4 , immunology , enzyme , biology , biochemistry , metabolism , political science , law
The pathophysiology of kava hepatotoxicity remains inconclusive. There is circumstantial evidence for the roles of toxic metabolites, inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes and depletion of liver glutathione. Pharmacogenomic effects are likely, particularly for Cytochrome P450 genes. Experimental and clinical cases of hepatotoxicity show evidence of hepatitis. The question remains whether this inflammation is caused by components of kava directly, or indirectly due to the downstream effects. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.