desmethoxyyangonin

Desmethoxyyangonin or 5,6-dehydrokavain is one of the six main kavalactones found in the Piper methysticum (kava) plant. It is a reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B), likely contributing to increased dopamine levels in the brain's nucleus accumbens and supporting kava's attention-enhancing effects. Unlike other kavalactones, it does not modulate GABAA receptors. It also strongly induces the liver enzyme CYP3A23. It is an active compound in Alpinia pricei with anti-inflammatory and liver-protective effects that improve survival in mice with endotoxin-induced hepatitis.

==Pharmacology== Desmethoxyyangonin is a reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B). Kava is able to increase dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens and desmethoxyyangonin likely contributes to this effect. This, along with several other catecholamines, may be responsible for the purported attention-promoting effects of kava.