Applications of Pueraria lobata in treating diabetics and reducing alcohol drinking PMC

However, the combination of the other two major isoflavones (daidzin and daidzein) in the Alkontrol-herbal preparation enhances the total efficacy in reducing alcohol drinking, and therefore is a superior strategy than focusing in a single entity. Both behavioral approaches and pharmacological agents are current treatments for alcohol use disorder. In brief, the pharmacological management of alcohol use disorders may be considered as two phases. The first phase is centered on detoxification and treatment of the acute abstinence syndrome while the second phase of treatment aims at preventing relapse. Three drugs approved by United State Food and Drug Administration are available for the treatment of alcohol use disorder, that is, disulfiram, naltrexone and acamprosate.

4. Objective measures of drinking

• In response to these difficulties, Lukas and colleagues developed a concentrated kudzu extract with 25 percent isoflavones and developed the «natural laboratory» setting to test the extract’s effects.
• This review summarized its recent applications in obesity, diabetic and alcohol drinking.
• A recent systematic review of P. mirifica regarding efficacy for menopausal symptoms is inconclusive (27).

People often eat different parts of the plant raw, sautéed, deep-fried, baked, or jellied. You may be wondering how people use kudzu root and what to know when considering whether to give it a try. This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version.

Should I check my cholesterol levels at home?

Drinking data were collected using a small wristwatch-like device (ActiWatch® Score, MiniMitter Co., OR) and daily diaries. The ActiWatch has a small button and digital LED faceplate and participants wore the device 24 hours a day for the entire 8-week study and were asked to record all drug and alcohol use by pressing the button to enter the proper code. Participants were provided with a small card that identified unique codes to record use of alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine, and other drugs. Participants were instructed to report when they consumed each drink, which was defined as a 12 oz can of beer, 5 oz glass of wine or 1.5 oz distilled spirits.

Historical use of Pueraria lobata

In the future, more bioactive compounds in plants (especially medicinal plants, fruits and vegetables) should be separated and identified, and the mechanisms of action should be studied further. Although the dose used in the present study has been vetted in prior studies, testing multiple doses would be helpful to fully explore the magnitude of effects of the kudzu root extract and determine if an even greater reduction in drinking is possible with a higher dose. Other limitations of the present study are the use of a rather narrow aged male population who drink only at moderate levels. The present study provides further evidence that extracts of the kudzu root are effective in reducing alcohol consumption but unlike any other medication (other than disulfiram) it does so after a single dose was taken shortly before a binge drinking opportunity. And, contrary to disulfiram treatment, the drinking that did occur after kudzu administration did not result in any noxious side effects, increases in subjective ratings of nausea, uncomfortable, or feeling terrible.

Some natural products such as traditional herbs, fruits, and vegetables might be potential dietary supplements or medicinal products for the prevention and treatment of the problems caused by excessive alcohol consumption. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of effective natural products for the prevention and treatment of hangover and alcohol use disorder, and special emphasis is paid to the possible functional component(s) and related mechanism(s) of action. Salvianolic acid B (SalB) is an important bioactive component separated from the Salvia miltiorrhiza, which could attenuate acute alcohol-induced hepatocyte apoptosis in rats through SIRT1-mediated deacetylation of p53 pathway.

The extract of Scutellaria baicalensis could prevent hepatic fibrosis by promoting ERK-p53 pathways, which may in turn cause G2/M cell cycle arrest and activate the Caspase system, finally resulting in apoptosis of HSC-T6 cells [122]. As a result, Scutellaria baicalensis might be beneficial https://ecosoberhouse.com/ for the amelioration of liver fibrosis. Stores typically sell it as a powdered drink mix, an oral capsule or tablet, liquid drops, or as a food-grade starch to use in cooking. You can find kudzu root supplements easily online and in a variety of natural food or supplement stores.

1. Animal Study

Short-term effects on blood and liver tests occurred in a small study of postmenopausal women. Lukas and colleagues note that kudzu’s effects, in this sense, might be useful for reducing binge drinking or helping some people stay sober by minimizing the chance that a «slip» of having one drink will result in a full alcoholic relapse. In a unique laboratory designed kudzu to stop drinking to look like a relaxing studio apartment, complete with satellite television and a beer-stocked refrigerator, 14 men and women drank fewer beers after a week’s treatment with kudzu than they drank after a week’s worth of placebo pills. However, if you want to cut down on drinking or detoxify your body during alcohol withdrawal, this plant may be able to help.

Fast facts on kudzu root

• Pueraria lobata (Willd) Ohwi (Fig. 1), commonly named kudzu, is an ancient Chinese medicinal plant used for diabetes, alcohol intoxication, stroke, and cardiovascular disease.
• There’s not a recommended dosage for kudzu root, but there have been human studies that can help guide you.
• In one small study of postmenopausal women, transient negative profiles including anemia and liver profiles (5).
• In addition, the flowers of kudzu exerted protective effects against alcohol-induced apoptosis in human neuroblastoma cells [43].