Kudzu Root Extract Does Not Perturb the Sleep Wake Cycle of Moderate Drinkers PMC

The glucose unit not only enhances water solubility but also facilitates the molecule passing the blood-brain barrier because puerarin has a non-cleavable glucose moiety. Interestingly, flavonoid compounds such as 7,8-dihydroxyflavone and chrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone) were totally inactive in suppression of alcohol intake (Keung and Vallee, 1993a). These preliminary findings demonstrated that a minor structural variation could result in a significant difference in effect on ethanol intake. Based on our animal drinking studies, we found that the 3’-methoxy analogs of puerarin is three times more potent than puerarin, and the 7-hydroxyl group is not necessary for the observed activity. Our laboratory has been involved in assessing an extract of the kudzu root (Pueraria lobata) for its ability to reduce alcohol consumption in humans.

• Studies have shown that kudzu may work by increasing blood flow to the brain, reducing the desire to drink, and reducing the severity of hangovers.
• In addition, the wrist actigraphy device was programmed to provide an audible “beep” every 3 hours ± 20 minutes to which the participant was required to enter a number between 0 (no desire) to 10 (greatest desire ever) to record his desire to drink alcohol AT THAT TIME.
• Estimates of blood alcohol levels were obtained during each study visit using a breathalyzer device (AlcoSensor®, Intoximeter, St Louis, MO).
• The study consisted of a 2-week baseline period, 4 weeks of medication (subjects were randomized to either kudzu extract or placebo treatments) and a 2-week follow up period.

David Penetar

The patterns of drinking during baseline and after kudzu treatment are shown for one representative subject in Fig 6. Note that binge drinking (arrows) occurred on all three nights during baseline, but drinking occurred on only one night while this subject was taking kudzu extract. https://ecosoberhouse.com/ 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.

Anti-diabetic potential of Pueraria lobata root extract through promoting insulin signaling by PTP1B inhibition

• This time, the groups were given the opposite pill from the one they’d previously taken (meaning that they acted as their own control for the experiment).
• Participants were told to relax between each 30-second collection period, but did not move their feet.
• The authors concluded that kudzu may be a useful adjunct in reducing alcohol intake, although the exact mechanism by which kudzu suppresses ethanol intake remains to be clarified.
• Synthetic versions of this selective ALDH-2 inhibitor are being investigated as potential medications to suppress relapse in abstinent alcoholics.

We have analyzed a variety of commercial kudzu preparations and found them to vary widely in their isoflavone concentrations, even within the same manufacturer. These issues highlight the difficulties of evaluating the efficacy of dietary supplements. While randomized clinical trials are the best method for studying efficacy, such trials often fail because of methodological weaknesses (Linde, 2000).

• However, more research is needed to fully understand the effects of kudzu on the body.
• The beneficial effects of puerarin on alcohol intake in alcohol-preferring rats reported in the literature also suggest the potential utility of puerarin as an anti-craving agent (Overstreet et al. 2003; Rezvani et al. 2003).
• Data from the actiwatch device was the primary source for all analyses while the daily diary served as a back up to verify daily totals and in case of equipment failure.
• Significant alcohol dose effects were observed for ratings on all of the visual analog scales (Table 1).

A Standardized Kudzu Extract (NPI- Reduces Alcohol Consumption in Non Treatment-Seeking Male Heavy Drinkers

There was no effect on alcohol craving, but kudzu extract significantly reduced the number of drinks consumed each week by 34–57 %, reduced the number of heavy drinking days, and significantly increased the percent of days abstinent and the number of consecutive days of abstinence. Medication adherence was excellent and there were no adverse events, changes in vital signs, blood chemistry, renal or liver function. There was no effect on alcohol craving, but kudzu extract significantly reduced the number of drinks consumed each week by 34–57%, reduced the number of heavy drinking days kudzu extract for alcoholism and significantly increased the percent of days abstinent and the number of consecutive days of abstinence. Acute alcohol administration resulted in expected, dose-related alterations in subjective, psychomotor, cognitive, and physiological effects. These effects typically were greater after the higher dose, and the time course follows the known effects of alcohol (Brasser et al., 2004; Holdstock et al., 2000). Subjective measures of alcohol intoxication were greatest at 30 minutes and returned to or were close to predrinking levels by the end of the assessment period (3 hours).

Kudzu Root: Benefits, Uses, and Side Effects

McLean Hospital has just negotiated a licensing agreement for kudzu root extract with Natural Pharmacia International, Inc., Burlington, MA. No competing financial interest exists for Bethany K. Bracken, David M. Penetar, R. Ross Maclean, or Scott E. Lukas. AlcoholAwareness.org provides a platform where you can access various free resources, including articles, self-assessment tools, and information about local support groups and treatment centers. These resources can be instrumental in guiding you toward effective strategies for overcoming alcoholism. While natural remedies like kudzu show promise, they are not a standalone solution. A comprehensive approach that includes medical supervision, counseling, and support is essential for addressing alcoholism effectively.

Osteogenic activity

McLean Hospital has licensed the production of kudzu extract (NPI-031) to Natural Pharmacie International (NPI), Inc. and they are marketing it as Alkontrol-Herbal®. The BDI and BAI scores remained unchanged during the course of treatment with both kudzu extract and placebo. The BDI for the kudzu extract-treated participants was 1.78 ± 2.11 and 2.63 ± 2.50 at baseline and during treatment, respectively. The BDI measures of the placebo-treated participants were 2.0 ± 2.58 and 1.67 ± 1.37 at baseline and during treatment, respectively.

The present study explored possible mechanisms to explain how kudzu extract reduces alcohol consumption in humans. The results imply that a reduction in consumption exhibited in previous studies is not likely due to an increase in the subjective intoxicating effects of alcohol or to an increase in alcohol’s effect on psychomotor performance or cognitive processing. However, it is interesting to note that two measures of physiological responses – heart rate and skin temperature – were accentuated by kudzu pretreatment. As these effects were seen only after the high alcohol dose, it would appear that this is evidence for a dose-response type of relationship.

Kudzu extract treatment does not increase the intoxicating effects of acute alcohol in human volunteers