A single dose of kudzu extract reduces alcohol consumption in a binge drinking paradigm

Abstract

Background Overconsumption of alcohol has significant negative effects on an individual's health and contributes to an enormous economic impact on society as a whole. Pharmacotherapies to curb excessive drinking are important for treating alcohol use disorders. Methods Twenty (20) men participated in a placebo-controlled, double-blind, between subjects design experiment (n=10/group) that tested the effects of kudzu extract (Alkontrol-Herbal™) for its ability to alter alcohol consumption in a natural settings laboratory. A single dose of kudzu extract (2 grams total with an active isoflavone content of 520 mg) or placebo was administered 2.5 hours before the onset of a 90 minute afternoon drinking session during which participants had the opportunity to drink up to 6 beers ad libitum; water and juice were always available as alternative beverages. Results During the baseline session, the placebo-randomized group consumed 2.7 ± 0.78 beers before treatment and increased consumption to 3.4 ± 1.1 beers after treatment. The kudzu group significantly reduced consumption from 3.0 ± 1.7 at baseline to 1.9 ± 1.3 beers after treatment. The placebo-treated group opened 33 beers during baseline conditions and 38 following treatment whereas the kudzu-treated group opened 32 beers during baseline conditions and only 21 following treatment. Additionally, kudzu-treated participants drank slower. Conclusion This is the first demonstration that a single dose of kudzu extract quickly reduces alcohol consumption in a binge drinking paradigm. These data add to the mounting clinical evidence that kudzu extract may be a safe and effective adjunctive pharmacotherapy for alcohol abuse and dependence.

Influence of extracts from Rhodiola rosea and Rhodiola kirilowii on the development of alcohol tolerance in rats

“…The lack of therapeutic options legitimises seeking new substances that potentially may be used in the treatment of alcohol dependence and substances of plant origin seem to be an interesting alternative as well. Salvia miltiorrhiza, Hypericum perforatum, Pueraria lobata have received a great deal of attention from researchers in past years [4][5][6][7][8]. Other promising plants are Rhodiola rosea (RR) and Rhodiola kirilowii (RK) of the Crassulaceae family.…”

Natural Products for the Prevention and Treatment of Hangover and Alcohol Use Disorder

“…There were no reported side effects of kudzu treatment [45]. In another study, 20 men participated in a placebo-controlled, double-blind design experiment, where kudzu extract (2 g) with an active isoflavone content of 520 mg, quickly reduced alcohol intake in a binge drinking paradigm [46]. Puerarin and daidzein, two isoflavonoids isolated from the dried roots of Pueraria lobata, have been reported to be efficient in the treatment of various diseases [41].…”

“…Mice Suppression of alcohol-induced liver steatosis by modulating the disturbance of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α pathway and ameliorating mitochondrial function [42] Cells Suppression of alcohol-induced apoptosis in human neuroblastoma cells [43] Puerarin and daidzein Root Humans Reduced alcohol intake in a naturalistic setting [45] Humans Reduced alcohol consumption in a binge drinking paradigm [46] Rats Reduced anxiogenic effects of alcohol withdrawal via increased social interaction and locomotor activity [47] Rats Mitigation of liver damage (AST, ALT, GGT) and lipid deposition induced by chronic alcohol intake as well as TNF-α release, protein expression of endotoxin receptors [48] Fructus evodiae Dehydroevodiamine, evodiamine and rutaecarpine Dried and unripe fruit Mice Alleviation of hangover through stimulating the expression of hepatic alcohol metabolizing and antioxidant enzymes [50] Rats Prevention of alcohol-induced gastric mucosal lesions by strengthening the mucosal barrier integrity and increasing gastric mucosal nitric oxide (NO) synthesis [51] Trigonela foenum-graecum Polyphenols Seeds Cells Prevention of the toxic effects of alcohol through increased cell viability, reduced lactate dehydrogenase leakage and normalized GSH/GSSG ratios [53,55] Rats Suppressed alcohol-induced abnormalities in the liver through restoration of liver enzymes, ADH and ALDH activities [54] Rats Suppression of alcohol toxicity through prevention of enzymatic leakage, and improved lipid profiles [56][57][58] …”

Preventing and Mitigating Alcohol Toxicity: A Review on Protective Substances

“…There are a plethora of remedies reported to reduce alcohol in the blood by accelerating alcohol metabolism, which prevents further drinking. For example, concoctions of extracts from Pueraria lobata, Tabernanthe iboga, Panax ginseng, and Salvia miltiorrhiza and Hypericum perforatum have been reported to prevent alcohol consumption by inhibiting the will to drink [37][38][39][40]. The mechanisms behind it are still unclear, but a blockage of absorption at the gastrointestinal tract, on the central nervous system, and on the brain reward pathway have been suggested [38,39,41].…”