Desmethoxyyangonin
Desmethoxyyangonin or 5,6-dehydrokavain is one of the six major kavalactones found in the Piper methysticum plant.Pharmacology
Desmethoxyyangonin is a reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase B. Kava is able to increase dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens and desmethoxyyangonin likely contributes to this effect. This, along with the potential increases of serotonin and other catecholamine concentrations, may be responsible for the purported attention-promoting effects of kava.
Desmethoxyyangonin has marked activity on the induction of CYP3A23.
