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Chinese plant extract cures alcoholism
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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An extract from the Chinese plant kudzu may cure alcoholism, according to new research from scientists at McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School.
"Our study provides further evidence that a compound found in kudzu root helps reduce alcohol consumption without side effects," said David Penetar, a psychopharmacologist in the McLean Hospital Research Laboratory. "Further research may lead to new treatments for alcoholism."
Scientists studied the effect of the isoflavone pueranin, conducting several series of alcohol consumption. The safety and effectiveness of the substance have already been verified, since in China pueranin is allowed for intravenous administration for ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction and angina. In addition, this isoflavone does not have an estrogenic effect, so it is safe for women.
The study involved 10 men and women over 20 who reported their alcohol consumption weekly. They lived in a laboratory set up like an apartment with a refrigerator stocked with beer and other drinks.
During the first 90-minute session in the “apartment,” the participants were allowed to drink as much beer as they wanted. Afterward, each of them was given either pueranin or a placebo for a week. Then each of them returned for a repeat of the experiment. Two weeks later, they completed a third series of the experiment, and were again given pills. The participants in the placebo group received the drug, and the people taking pueranin received a placebo. After that, they also participated in other sessions of the experiment.
It turned out that under the influence of pueranin, beer consumption decreased from 3.5 liters to 2.4 liters.
"This simulated a drinking session, but not only did participants drink less, they also drank more slowly and took more sips to finish their beer," the researchers report.
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