Description
5,6-Dehydrokawain is a kavalactone originally found in Piper methysticum (kava plant) and Alpinia that exhibits neuroprotective and antithrombotic activities. 5,6-Dehydrokawain inhibits aggregation and ATP release of platelets as well as formation of thromboxane B2 (TxB2). Additionally, this compound prevents H2O2-induced toxicity, decreasing release of lactate dehydrogenase, activation of caspase 3, and oxidative stress in neurons.
References
Rao YK, Shih HN, Lee YC, et al. Purification of kavalactones from Alpinia zerumbet and their protective actions against hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells. J Biosci Bioeng. 2014 Jun 11. [Epub ahead of print]. PMID: 24929995.
Teng CM, Hsu SY, Lin CH, et al. Antiplatelet action of dehydrokawain derivatives isolated from Alpinia speciosa rhizoma. Chin J Physiol. 1990;33(1):41-8. PMID: 2376215.
