# Yangonin

**Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/yangonin
**Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia
**Updated:** 2026-04-01
**Evidence Score:** 2 / 10
**Category:** Compound
**Also Known As:** 5,6-Dehydrokawain, Kawain derivative, Kava lactone Y, Piper methysticum kavalactone, Pacific kava compound

## Overview

Yangonin is a kavalactone compound derived from the kava plant (Piper methysticum) that exerts effects primarily through cannabinoid CB1 receptor activation and monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibition. Its most studied properties include analgesic, [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation), and anti-cancer activity, though human clinical evidence remains limited.

## Health Benefits

• May reduce pain and [inflammation](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) through CB1 receptor activation (preliminary evidence from animal studies)
• Shows potential anti-cancer effects in bladder cancer cell lines, inhibiting cell growth by 27.5% at 50 μg/mL (in vitro evidence only)
• May enhance chemotherapy effectiveness when combined with docetaxel, achieving 83.6% combined inhibition (preliminary cell culture data)
• Potentially protects against alcohol-induced liver cell aging via FXR activation (in vitro evidence)
• May contribute to anxiety-reducing effects as part of traditional kava preparations (traditional use, no yangonin-specific human trials)

## Mechanism of Action

Yangonin binds to and activates the cannabinoid CB1 receptor, which modulates pain signaling and [inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) cascades without producing psychoactive effects comparable to THC. It also inhibits monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B), an enzyme responsible for degrading [dopamine](/ingredients/condition/mood), potentially contributing to mood-related effects. Additionally, yangonin has been shown to downregulate cell cycle progression proteins in bladder cancer cell lines, inhibiting proliferation through mechanisms that may involve p21 upregulation and cyclin-dependent kinase suppression.

## Clinical Summary

Human clinical evidence for isolated yangonin is essentially nonexistent; available data come from in vitro cell studies and animal models. In bladder cancer cell line experiments, yangonin inhibited cell growth by approximately 27.5% at a concentration of 50 μg/mL, and demonstrated synergistic effects when combined with standard chemotherapeutic agents. Animal studies support analgesic and [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) activity via CB1 receptor pathways, but doses and bioavailability in humans have not been established. The overall evidence base is preliminary, and no randomized controlled trials have evaluated yangonin as an isolated compound in humans.

## Nutritional Profile

Yangonin is a kavalactone (specifically a methoxylated kavalactone) isolated from the rhizome of Piper methysticum (kava), not a nutritional food source. It is a bioactive secondary metabolite with the molecular formula C₁₅H₁₄O₄ and a molecular weight of approximately 258.27 g/mol. Typical concentration in kava root extracts ranges from approximately 1–3% of total kavalactone content, depending on cultivar and extraction method. It is structurally characterized by a 4-methoxy-substituted styryl group attached to an α-pyrone ring, distinguishing it from other kavalactones such as kavain, dihydrokavain, and methysticin. Yangonin is lipophilic (estimated LogP ~2.8–3.2), which contributes to its affinity for lipid membranes and cannabinoid receptors (notably CB1). It is not a source of macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates, or fats), vitamins, minerals, or dietary fiber. Bioavailability: As a lipophilic compound, oral absorption is enhanced when consumed with dietary fats or in lipid-based formulations. First-pass hepatic [metabolism](/ingredients/condition/weight-management) likely reduces systemic bioavailability; it is metabolized primarily via CYP450 enzymes (CYP3A4 and CYP2D6), producing demethylated and hydroxylated metabolites. Solubility in water is very low (~practically insoluble), but it dissolves readily in ethanol, acetone, and other organic solvents, which is why traditional aqueous kava preparations may contain lower yangonin concentrations compared to ethanolic or acetonic extracts. In standardized kava extracts (typically standardized to 30–70% total kavalactones), yangonin may constitute roughly 10–15% of the total kavalactone fraction, translating to approximately 3–10 mg per typical supplement dose depending on formulation.

## Dosage & Preparation

No clinically studied dosages in humans are available for yangonin specifically. Preclinical intrathecal doses in rats were 19.36 nmol/rat, while in vitro cancer studies used 50 μg/mL. Kava extracts containing yangonin are typically standardized to total kavalactones via HPLC, but yangonin-specific standardization is not established. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

## Safety & Drug Interactions

Yangonin, like other kavalactones, carries a potential risk of hepatotoxicity, and high or prolonged intake of kava-derived products has been associated with liver damage in case reports. It may interact with drugs metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes, particularly CYP1A2 and CYP3A4, potentially altering blood levels of medications including anticoagulants and sedatives. Because yangonin inhibits MAO-B, combining it with MAO inhibitor medications or serotonergic drugs could pose an interaction risk. Kava-containing supplements, including those providing yangonin, are contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and individuals with liver disease should avoid them entirely.

## Scientific Research

No human clinical trials, RCTs, or meta-analyses specifically on yangonin were identified in the available sources; evidence is limited to preclinical animal and in vitro studies. Animal studies in male Sprague-Dawley rats showed anti-nociceptive effects at intrathecal doses of 19.36 nmol/rat, while in vitro bladder cancer studies demonstrated growth inhibition and [autophagy](/ingredients/condition/longevity) induction at concentrations up to 50 μg/mL.

## Historical & Cultural Context

Yangonin is a constituent of kava (Piper methysticum), used traditionally in Pacific Island cultures (e.g., Vanuatu, Fiji) for centuries as a ceremonial beverage to induce relaxation, reduce anxiety, and promote sociability. While yangonin's specific role is not isolated in traditional use, kavalactones collectively contribute to kava's psychopharmacological effects.

## Synergistic Combinations

Kavain, Methysticin, Dihydrokavain, Flavokavain A, Docetaxel

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is yangonin and how does it differ from other kavalactones?

Yangonin is one of six major kavalactones in Piper methysticum, distinguished by its direct agonist activity at the cannabinoid CB1 receptor — an interaction not prominently shared by other kavalactones like kavain or methysticin. This CB1 binding gives yangonin a unique pharmacological profile involving pain modulation and potential anti-inflammatory effects through an endocannabinoid mechanism.

### Can yangonin help with cancer treatment?

Yangonin has shown anti-cancer activity exclusively in in vitro studies, specifically in bladder cancer cell lines where it inhibited cell proliferation by 27.5% at 50 μg/mL and appeared to enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs. These findings are very preliminary and have not been replicated in animal tumor models or human clinical trials, so yangonin cannot be considered a cancer treatment at this time.

### Does yangonin affect dopamine or mood?

Yangonin inhibits monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B), the enzyme that breaks down dopamine in the brain, which theoretically could elevate dopamine levels and contribute to mood-enhancing effects associated with kava consumption. However, no isolated human studies have directly measured yangonin's impact on dopamine levels or mood outcomes, making this mechanism speculative in a clinical context.

### Is yangonin safe to take daily?

Daily use of yangonin or kava products containing it is not established as safe due to documented hepatotoxicity risk associated with kavalactone consumption; the European Medicines Agency and several national health agencies have issued warnings about prolonged kava use and liver damage. No safe daily dosage for isolated yangonin has been determined in human studies, and individuals with liver conditions, those taking hepatotoxic drugs, or those on MAO inhibitors should avoid it entirely.

### What foods or drugs interact with yangonin?

Yangonin may inhibit cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP1A2 and CYP3A4, meaning it could increase blood concentrations of medications such as warfarin, benzodiazepines, and certain statins that rely on these pathways for metabolism. Its MAO-B inhibitory activity also raises concern for interactions with antidepressants, particularly SSRIs and other MAOIs, where combined use could risk serotonin syndrome or excessive dopaminergic stimulation. Alcohol may also potentiate sedative and hepatotoxic effects.

### What is the current quality of evidence supporting yangonin's anti-inflammatory effects?

The evidence for yangonin's anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties comes primarily from preliminary animal studies showing CB1 receptor activation, which is considered early-stage research. While these findings are promising, human clinical trials are lacking, meaning efficacy and optimal dosing in people remain unestablished. The gap between in vitro cell studies and real-world effectiveness is substantial, so claims should be viewed as theoretical rather than proven.

### Who should avoid yangonin supplementation based on current safety data?

Individuals with liver sensitivity or those taking hepatotoxic medications should exercise caution, as kava-derived compounds including yangonin have been associated with liver concerns in some cases. People with hormone-sensitive cancers should consult a healthcare provider before use, given preliminary findings about yangonin's effects on cancer cell lines. Pregnant and breastfeeding women lack sufficient safety data and should avoid yangonin until more research is available.

### How is yangonin typically extracted and concentrated in supplement products?

Yangonin is extracted from kava root (Piper methysticum) as one of several kavalactones using solvent extraction methods, with the concentration varying significantly between suppliers and products. Supplement forms may include kava root powder, standardized kava extracts claiming specific yangonin percentages, or isolated yangonin compounds, though the purity and bioavailability of isolated forms versus whole-plant extracts remain understudied. Third-party testing for yangonin content and contaminants is advisable, as standardization in the kava supplement industry is inconsistent.

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*Source: Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia — https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com*
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