Kavain

Kavain

Names
IUPAC name 4-methoxy-2-[(E)-2-phenylethenyl]-2,3-dihydropyran-6-one
Other names Kawain
Identifiers
CAS Number	500-64-1 Y
ChemSpider	4520267 N
Jmol 3D model	Interactive image
KEGG	D08096 N
PubChem	5369129
UNII	W1ES06373M N
InChI InChI=1S/C14H14O3/c1-16-13-9-12(17-14(15)10-13)8-7-11-5-3-2-4-6-11/h2-8,10,12H,9H2,1H3/b8-7+ N Key: XEAQIWGXBXCYFX-BQYQJAHWSA-N N InChI=1/C14H14O3/c1-16-13-9-12(17-14(15)10-13)8-7-11-5-3-2-4-6-11/h2-8,10,12H,9H2,1H3/b8-7+ Key: XEAQIWGXBXCYFX-BQYQJAHWBH
SMILES COC1=CC(=O)OC(C1)/C=C/C2=CC=CC=C2
Properties
Chemical formula	C14H14O3
Molar mass	230.26 g·mol−1
Vapor pressure	{{{value}}}
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
N verify (what is YN ?)
Infobox references

Kavain is the main kavalactone found mostly in the roots of the kava plant.

Pharmacology

Kavain has anticonvulsive properties, attenuating vascular smooth muscle contraction through interactions with voltage-dependent Na+ and Ca2+ channels. How this effect is mediated and to what extent this mechanism is involved in the anxiolytic and analgesic effects of kavalactones on the central nervous system is unknown. Kavain's pharmacological activities have not been sufficiently investigated and neither its effect as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor nor its monoamine (norepinephrine) uptake inhibitions and activation of NMDA receptors have been confirmed.

The mechanism behind the psychotropic, sedative and anxiolytic actions of kavain and related kavalactones is still debated. Direct binding to the GABAA receptor (benzodiazepine-receptor) does not occur with kavain enantiomers. Many studies involved kava extracts from different plant parts and are therefore not applicable to kavain itself.

A comparative review of in-vivo studies with kavain (and related kavapyrones) to commonly used antiepileptic drugs and mood stabilizers affecting ion fluxes indicates that the kavapyrones are weakly Na+ antagonistic and therefore antiepileptic. They also have pronounced L- type Ca2+ channel antagonistic properties and act as a positive modulator of the early K+ outward current, which contribute to mood stabilizing properties similar to lamotrigine.

Kavain and analogs remain interesting for drug discovery against a variety of cellular targets, including P-glycoprotein (Pgp), cytochrome P450 and cyclo-oxygenase (COX) enzymes, among others.

See also

• 5,6-dehydrokawain