Methysticin
Methysticin is one of the six major kavalactones found in the kava plant. Research suggests that methysticin and the related compound dihydromethysticin have CYP1A1 inducing effects which may be responsible for their toxicity. Toxicity. Methysticin induces the function of the hepatic enzyme CYP1A1. This enzyme is involved in the toxification of benzo["a"]pyrene into (+)-benzo["a"]pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide, a highly carcinogenic substance. Another related compound is dihydromethysticin, which also induces the function of CYP1A1."