UNVEILING THE PHARMACOLOGICAL SPECTRUM AND APPROVED THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITIES OF PIPER METHYSTICUM: AN IN-DEPTH REVIEW

In the plant Piper methysticum G. (Forst), Piperaceae, kava has active constituent storage in its roots and rhizomes. Kava root has been conventionally employed by individuals for alleviating anxiety, stress, managing drug withdrawal symptoms, addressing sleep-related concerns, and various other purposes; however, it is noteworthy that there is a lack of robust scientific evidence substantiating these purported therapeutic uses. The examination of existing literature reveals that kava lactones exert biological activity encompassing local anesthesia, antispasmodic effects, muscular relaxation, antimitotic properties, sedative attributes, anticonvulsive actions, analgesic properties, anxiolytic effects, and neuroprotective characteristics, thereby affirming their pharmacological potency. However, the plant’s medicinal value as an anti-depressant, anti-anxiety, or antioxidant has yet to be verified. Synthetic medications, on the other hand, are routinely recommended to alleviate stress and stress-related symptoms, but their tendency to induce drowsiness or sleep, the risk of dependence, and withdrawal effects limit their long-term usage. Clinical studies reveal that kava has 1-week efficacy at a modest dose. Evidently, herbal formulations assert enhancement of physical endurance, cognitive capacities, and non-specific resilience to stress without altering physiological functions; hence, imperative investigation into their safety and efficacy for therapeutic applications is warranted.