醉椒素最初是从| Piper methysticum |中提取的。已显示该化合物显着拮抗鼠纹状体神经元中的多巴胺消耗。其他研究报告说，醉椒素通过抑制Ca | + |通道损害血管平滑肌收缩，导致预收缩的鼠回肠，气道和主动脉环松弛。此外，在高浓度下，已经注意到该试剂表现出神经毒性特征。 Kavain (+/-), a lipophilic kavapyrone, has been originally extracted from|Piper methysticum|. This compound has been shown to significantly antagonize dopamine depletion in murine striatal neurons. Additional studies report that Kavain (+/-) impairs vascular smooth muscle contraction via inhibition of Ca|+|channels, causing relaxation in precontracted murine ileum, airways, and aortic rings. Furthermore, at high concentrations, this agent has been noted to display neurotoxic characteristics.