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Toxicity Potential Of Aqueous Kava Extracts On Liver Function Tests In Rats, Ashwini K. Devkota

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

Kava, prepared as the traditional aqueous infusion, was tested in the rat for possible effects on liver function tests. Extracts were administered in dosages containing 200 or 500 mg of the active kavalactones per kg for two or four weeks. Sera were assayed for four enzymes that are markers of liver toxicity and liver homogenates for malondiadehyde formation that indicates changes in lipid peroxidation. The data showed that none of the enzymes, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase, nor malondialdehyde levels were elevated, in fact in some cases they were significantly reduced, suggesting the lack of a …