Flavokawain B is a natural chalcone first isolated from extracts of kava roots. It induces apoptosis in androgen receptor-negative, hormone-refractory prostate cancer cell lines (IC₅₀s = 32, 48, 6.2, and 3.9 µM for LAPC4, LNCaP, PC-3, and DU145 cells, respectively, treated for 48 hours), with increased expression of the proapoptotic protein Bim.¹ Flavokawain B increases Bim expression and inhibits growth of DU145 xenografts in mice.¹ It also increases Bim expression, promotes apoptosis, and induces cell cycle arrest in uterine leiomyosarcoma cells.² However, flavokawain B is hepatotoxic, triggering oxidative stress, inhibiting NF-κB signaling, and activating MAPK pathways, culminating in HepG2 and L-02 cell death (LD₅₀s = 15 and 32 µM, respectively).³

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