Methysticin, a major kavalactone extracted from kava, can induce CYP1A1.

Methysticin (6 mg/kg) is administered orally once weekly for six months to 6-month-old transgenic APP/Psen1 mice. This treatment initiates activation of the Nrf2 pathway in the mice's hippocampus and cortex. Despite Methysticin not altering Aβ deposition in the brains of treated APP/Psen1 mice compared to controls, it significantly mitigates microgliosis, astrogliosis, and the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-17A. Additionally, Methysticin markedly activates the Nrf2/ARE pathway specifically in the hippocampus and cortex, but not in the midbrain and cerebellum of ARE-luciferase reporter gene mice, leading to a significant increase in the expression of both genes relative to untreated animals.