Explore chapters and articles related to this topic
Nutraceutical Intervention for Treatment of Alcoholism and Drinking Problems
Published in Raj K. Keservani, Anil K. Sharma, Rajesh K. Kesharwani, Nutraceuticals and Dietary Supplements, 2020
The anticraving and “antidrunkeness” effects of extracts of P. lobata Owhi (Fabaceae) have been well known to customary Chinese physicians for decades. Kudzu (P. lobata) is an ascending, semi-woody, perennial vine in the pea family Fabaceae, subfamily Faboideae. It is considered an invasive weed in the South and can help to dampen the desire to drink. It is a common herb in customary Chinese medication for giving liquor leftovers. This plant contains daidzin, a plant estrogen and an antioxidant, which impedes an enzyme known as mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase that has been associated with alcoholism. According to research (American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 2009), its roots have results comparable to the antialcoholism drug disulfiram. Kudzu is often used in dealing with drunkenness and stoppage of relapse in the start phases of retrieval.
Aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 as a therapeutic target
Published in Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets, 2019
Mitsuru Kimura, Akira Yokoyama, Susumu Higuchi
The kudzu (Pueraria lobata) root has been used as a traditional remedy of alcoholism for a thousand years. Kudzu contains active isoflavones, daidzin and daidzein, which are potent inhibitors of ALDH2 [118,119]. Administration of daidzin has been found to decrease alcohol consumption in the rodent model [118,120]. A few clinical trials have reported that kudzu extracts reduced alcohol consumption in heavy drinkers [121,122]. The effectiveness of kudzu might be due to the intoxication effects caused by inhibiting ALDH2 in the same way as disulfiram, but kudzu probably does not cause serious adverse events such as subjective intoxication measured by visual analog scales like drunk, floating and clumsy, body sway, and increased heart rate [123].
Pueraria lobata root polysaccharide alleviates glucose and lipid metabolic dysfunction in diabetic db/db mice
Published in Pharmaceutical Biology, 2021
Dan Luo, Xiaokang Dong, Jie Huang, Chengcheng Huang, Guowei Fang, Yanqin Huang
Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi (Fabaceae) root, also known as kudzu root, is widely distributed in China, Japan, and Korea; it has been used as a medicine, fodder, and a food source for thousands of years. Kudzu root also has been utilized widely as a traditional Chinese Medicine for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, diarrhoea, and fever (Wong et al. 2011). Polysaccharides and flavonoids are the major bioactive constituents in kudzu root, and some studies about the antidiabetic potential of puerarin have been reported (She et al. 2014; Zhang et al. 2015). However, there is little research about the potential anti-diabetes efficacy of Pueraria lobata root polysaccharide (PLP).
The role of non-conventional treatments in the management of alcohol use disorder— a focused review
Published in Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 2022
Ashish Sarangi, Dalynn Kim, Jayasudha Gude
A study conducted to establish the effect of Pueraria lobata root, or Kudzu, pretreatment in participants showed a notable reduction in alcohol consumption after one week of treatment with the plant extract, with no significant side effects reported. Kudzu extract has been shown to significantly delay alcohol metabolism and deters continued drinking in at least one study. (Lukas et al., 2005). This effect is mediated by daidzin, an active component, and isoflavone of the Kudzu root, which inhibits the enzyme ALDH2 thereby causing excessive amounts of ethanol to accumulate in blood, reducing excessive alcohol intake (Gao et al., 2003). Another study demonstrated that Kudzu extract pretreatment had little or no effect on the majority of alcohol effects on subjective mood, vital signs, psychomotor, or cognitive performance and the result was difficult to interpret (Penetar, Maclean, McNeil, & Lukas, 2011). Ashwagandha, a plant commonplace in the ancient medicinal practice of Ayurveda, has been touted as a remedy for curbing alcohol cravings due to claims regarding its properties of being an anxiolytic. However, the evidence is limited and its impact on lowering the seizure threshold is not yet fully delineated, which may be a concern for newly recovering AUD patients due to their heightened risk of alcohol withdrawal seizures (Shah et al., 2009). Fructus evodiae, a Chinese herb is reported to reduce symptoms of a hangover and lower the concentration of alcohol in blood. Its mechanism of action has been described as an agonist of hepatic alcohol metabolizing enzymes. Hypericum perforatum, more commonly referred to as St John’s Wort, has been shown to reduce alcohol intake as well as decrease alcohol withdrawal symptoms such as tremors and seizures, although the mechanism behind this action is largely unknown (Pittler, White, Stevinson, & Ernst, 2003). Metadoxine is an ion pair between pyrrolidone carboxylate acid (PCA) and pyridoxine (vitamin B6). It is effective in decreasing alcohol cravings and improving short-term (cognitive) memory (Behere, Muralidharan, & Benegal, 2009). It has also been reported to increase the renal excretion rate of ethanol and acetaldehyde. Pyrus pyrifolia, known as Korean pear, has been reported to decrease acetaldehyde levels in blood after alcohol consumption. Interestingly, the pear juice was demonstrated to lower the AUClast, Cmax, half-life, and Tmax of blood acetaldehyde (Brunetti et al., 2003). Salvia miltiorrhiza exerts its effects through the impairment of gastrointestinal absorption of alcohol when tested in rats. Intragastric administration of the plant’s root extract in rodents has been recorded to measurably reduce expected blood alcohol concentration. Pretreatment with S. miltiorrhiza’s active metabolite, salvianolic acid B, also demonstrated a reduction in previously elevated serum aminotransferase concentration, suggesting it may exert hepatoprotective effects (Pittler et al., 2003). Finally, the root of Scutellaria baicalensis was found to arrest the G2/M phase of mitosis, subsequently initiating apoptosis of HSC-T6 Ito cells responsible for hepatic fibrosis often seen in chronic alcohol users (Pittler et al., 2003).