Description
Flavokawain A is a chalcone kavalactone originally found in Piper methysticum (kava plant). Flavokawain A exhibits anti-inflammatory and anticancer chemotherapeutic activities. This compound inhibits degradation of IκBα and activation of NF-κB; it also inhibits expression of iNOS and COX-2 in macrophages as well as activity of IκK, PRAK, MAPKAP-K3, DYRK1A, and AurB. In vivo, flavokawain A inhibits urothelial cell carcinoma, decreasing expression of Ki67, XIAP, and survivin, and increasing expression of DR5 and p27.
References
Liu Z, Xu X, Li X, et al. Kava chalcone, flavokawain A, inhibits urothelial tumorigenesis in the UPII-SV40T transgenic mouse model. Cancer Prev Res (Phila). 2013 Dec;6(12):1365-75. PMID: 24121102.
Kwon DJ, Ju SM, Youn GS, et al. Suppression of iNOS and COX-2 expression by flavokawain A via blockade of NF-κB and AP-1 activation in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Food Chem Toxicol. 2013 Aug;58:479-86. PMID: 23727179.
Folmer F, Blasius R, Morceau F, et al. Inhibition of TNFalpha-induced activation of nuclear factor kappaB by kava (Piper methysticum) derivatives. Biochem Pharmacol. 2006 Apr 14;71(8):1206-18. PMID: 16464438.
