[Kava-kava preparations--alternative anxiolytics].

Since Cook's world cruises (1772-1775) there is written evidence of the use of kava-kava by the inhabitants of the Pacific Islands. In last decades kava-kava, an extract of the plant Piper methysticum was used in several European countries (drugs like Laitan, Antares, Viocava, Mosaro etc.). In the presented paper the authors describe the pharmacology, toxicology and pharmacokinetics of the active compounds of kava-kava the kavapyrones. The discussion concerning the therapeutic value of kavapyrones ends with the conclusion of the authors, that kava-kava may be a useful alternative for synthetic anxiolytics.