Binge Drinking Reduced With Herbal Extract

Binge Drinking Reduced With Herbal Extract

Editor's Choice
Main Category: Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs
Also Included In: Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine
Article Date: 21 May 2012 - 11:00 PDT

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Researchers at McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School have discovered that an extract of the Chinese herb Kudzu may help to curb binge drinking. The team found that components in the kudzu root can significantly reduce alcohol consumption, without adverse effects. The study is published in the current issue of Drug and Alcohol Dependence.

David Penetar, Ph.D., of the Behavioral Psychopharmacology Research Laboratory at McLean Hospital explained:`

"Our study is further evidence that components found in kudzu root can reduce alcohol consumption and do so without adverse side effects. Further research is needed, but this botanical medication may lead to additional methods to treat alcohol abuse and dependence."

The researchers enrolled 10 men and women in their 20s who consumed alcohol on a weekly basis in order to determine whether the isoflavone puerarin, one of the major components of the kudzu root, would reduce alcohol consumption.

The team selected puerarin, as it is less potent than other parts of the kudzu plant, and has few adverse effects. In addition, the safety and efficacy of puerarin has already been established in humans.

A laboratory at McLean Hospital was set up with a TV, DVD player, reclining chair and a refrigerator containing the participants favorite beer and other non-alcoholic beverages.

In the first 90-minute session, each participant was told they can consume up to a maximum of six beers. After the session, the researchers gave each participant either a placebo or puerarin to take daily for a week.

All participants returned for two more 90-minute sessions to see whether they had returned to their baseline drinking levels. After the third session, each participant who had been taking peurarin was given placebo and those taking placebo were given puerarin. After one week, the participants returned for a fourth and final session of drinking.

The researchers found that those who received puerarin consumed less beers than those given placebo - decreasing from an average of 3.5 beers to 2.4.

Penetar said:

"This was a simulation of a binge drinking opportunity and not only did we see the subjects drinking less, we noted that their rate of consumption decreased, meaning they drank slower and took more sips to finish a beer. While we do not suggest that puerarin will stop drinking all together, it is promising that it appears to slow the pace and the overall amount consumed."

Written By Grace Rattue
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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MediLexicon International Ltd © 2004-2012 All rights reserved.
MNT (logo) is the registered EU trade mark of MediLexicon Int. Limited.