flavokawain B

Flavokawain B is a naturally occurring chalcone compound first isolated from the roots of *Piper methysticum* (kava plant)[1][4]. It is a potent bioactive compound that has demonstrated multiple pharmacological activities. The compound exhibits significant **anticancer properties** through induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase in various cancer cell lines, including breast, colon, liver, prostate, bone, and oral cancers[3][4][6]. Its anticancer mechanism involves activation of both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways, caspase 3 activation, and DNA fragmentation[6]. Flavokawain B also demonstrates **anti-inflammatory activity** by inhibiting degradation of IκBα and blocking NF-κB transcriptional activity[1][4]. However, it is notably a **potent hepatocellular toxin** with an LD₅₀ of 15.3 μM in HepG2 cells and 32 μM in L-02 cells[4]. The hepatotoxicity is mediated through induction of oxidative stress, depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH), inhibition of IKK activity leading to NF-κB transcriptional blockade, and constitutive activation of MAPK signaling pathways (ERK, p38, and JNK)[4]. Interestingly, exogenous GSH supplementation can normalize signaling pathways and rescue hepatocytes from flavokawain B-induced toxicity[4]. The compound is significantly enriched in organic solvent extracts of kava root, being over 20-fold more abundant than other chalcones like flavokawain C[4].

Other names

FKB(E)-1-(2-hydroxy-4,6-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-phenylprop-2-en-1-one2'-Hydroxy-4',6'-dimethoxychalcone