Selection of Kavalactones by Complexation of Kava Extract with Cyclodextrins

Abstract Kavalactones, active ingredients extracted from Piper methysticum Forst. Piperaceae, have many therapeutic properties including relaxing, anaesthetic, analgesic, and antifungic properties. Kavalactones are insoluble in aqueous vehicles. These active ingredients are inclused in cyclodextrins to improve their water solubility and to realize a galenic form. Gamma cyclodextrin (γ-CD) and beta cyclodextrin (β-CD) were used. The amounts of kavalactones inclused in cyclodextrins have been measured by HPLC with UV spectrophotometric detection. The results showed that besides increasing the water solubility of kavalactones, the complexation leads to a selection of the most active compounds that are preferentially included.