Kavalactone pharmacophores for major cellular drug targets.

A number of studies have identified differential kavalactone activity against a variety of molecular targets, including P-glycoprotein (Pgp), platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO-B), transcription factor binding domains, pregnane X (PXR) and GABA receptors, and cytochrome P450 and cyclo-oxygenase (COX) enzymes. The molecular structure of the kavalactones possesses a pharmacophore for several of these targets. In most cases, conformational stability is more significant than the substituents present. The analysis of these pharmacophores provides important insights for future medicinal chemistry-based approaches to kavalactone-type drugs.