yangonin yangonin yangonin is one of the six major kavalactones found in the kava plant. it has been shown to possess binding affinity for the cannabinoid receptor cb1 (ki = 0.72 μm), and selectivity vs. the cb2 receptor (ki >10 μm) where it behaves as an agonist. the cb1 receptor affinity of yangonin suggests that the endocannabinoid system might contribute to the complex human psychopharmacology of the traditional kava drink and the anxiolytic preparations obtained from the kava plant. yangonin names preferred iupac name 4-methoxy-6--2h-pyran-2-one identifiers cas number 500-62-9 y 3d model (jsmol) interactive image chembl chembl1098658 n chemspider 4444896 n echa infocard 100.211.821 pubchem cid 5281575 unii r970u49v3c n comptox dashboard (epa) dtxsid4034102 inchi inchi=1s/c15h14o4/c1-17-12-6-3-11(4-7-12)5-8-13-9-14(18-2)10-15(16)19-13/h3-10h,1-2h3/b8-5+ nkey: xlhiyuycsmzccc-vmpitwqzsa-n ninchi=1/c15h14o4/c1-17-12-6-3-11(4-7-12)5-8-13-9-14(18-2)10-15(16)19-13/h3-10h,1-2h3/b8-5+key: xlhiyuycsmzccc-vmpitwqzbg smiles coc1=cc=c(c=c1)/c=c/c2=cc(=cc(=o)o2)oc properties chemical formula c15h14o4 molar mass 258.273 g·mol−1 except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °c , 100 kpa). n verify (what is yn ?) infobox references like other kavalactones, yangonin has been found to potentiate gabaa receptors. this may contribute to the anxiolytic properties of yangonin and kava as a whole. further in vitro studies have also demonstrated yangonin to be an inhibitor of monoamine oxidase, with a moderate preference for isozyme b, which could open the door to a wide range of interactions. toxicity yangonin displays marked in vitro toxicity on human hepatocytes with approximately 40% reduction in viability based on an ethidium bromide assay. the predominant mode of cell death turned out to be apoptosis rather than necrosis. no significant changes were observed in glutathione levels. biosynthesis yangonin is biosynthesized from coumaroyl-coa and malonyl-coa. biosynthesis of yangonin. sam = s-adenosyl methionine