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

作者：Penetar David M^*; Toto Lindsay H; Lee David Y W; Lukas Scott E

来源：Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 2015, 153: 194-200.

DOI：10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.05.025

• Kudzu
• Isoflavone
• Alcohol
• Binge drinking

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 (TM)) for its ability to alter alcohol consumption in a natural settings laboratory. A single dose of kudzu extract (2 g total with an active isoflavone content of 520 mg) or placebo was administered 2.5 h before the onset of a 90 min 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.

• 出版日期2015-8-1