A Standardized Kudzu Extract NPI-031 Reduces Alcohol Consumption in Non Treatment-Seeking Male Heavy Drinkers

Kudzu is an invasive vine that natively grows in East Asia—especially China and Japan. While it’s primarily known as being an invasive plant, there are also parts of it, especially the root, that have been used for various purposes in traditional Chinese medicine. In traditional herbal medicine, kudzu root extract has been suggested to have potential health benefits for alcoholism, hangovers, and also menopause. Kudzu is a plant that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. In recent years, it has gained attention for its potential use in treating alcoholism.

In vitro data

In addition, and perhaps of greater significance, is the possibility that ethanol levels rose more kudzu and alcohol quickly at the higher dose of alcohol (0.7 g/kg) following kudzu pretreatment compared to placebo pretreatment. One interpretation of this finding is that kudzu extract does not potentiate the intoxicating effects of alcohol, but only hastens the onset of action in a dose-response fashion. In our previous study we demonstrated that the same kudzu extract used in the present study significantly reduced beer consumption in binge-drinkers (Lukas et al., 2005). The significance of the effects on the early plasma ethanol levels and the effects on heart rate and skin temperature offer some insight to the potential mechanism of action of kudzu extract in that study. During the present study we have gathered evidence that kudzu extract may alter blood ethanol levels and that this change in pharmacokinetics may result in an increased rate of entry into the central nervous system. Such an effect might increase the rewarding effects of the first drink consumed, especially when higher doses are consumed, and the desire for subsequent drinks might be delayed.

• A new custom-built platform, based on an earlier design (Lukas et al., 1989) was used to measure stance stability/body sway.
• It has been proven that daidzin in vitro is a strong, selective and reversible inhibitor of aldehyde dehydrogenase.
• These findings suggest that the ability of kudzu extract to reduce alcohol consumption (Lukas et al., 2005) is not likely to be dependent on a significant alteration of the acute effects of alcohol.

1 Participants

• Researchers monitored drinking behavior with a digital scale located in the top of an end table.
• This experimental day was always a placebo drink but after either a week of treatment with placebo or kudzu extract.
• Persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) is a fruit containing high levels of phenolics that could be used for making vinegar.
• Therefore, Thymus vulgaris was recommended to treat alcohol toxicity through its potent antioxidant properties.
• From a harm reduction perspective, kudzu extract results in a desirable outcome for a population of heavy drinkers, especially when one considers the other important finding of the present study—kudzu extract was without any adverse events and minimal side effects.

Kudzu root, also called Japanese arrowroot, is native to China, Japan, and Korea. Today, kudzu grows in other parts of the world as well, including in the southern United States. Components within Kudzu Root, especially its isoflavones, have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties. This makes Kudzu a potential natural remedy to address conditions exacerbated by chronic inflammation. Some studies have shown that Kudzu Root Extract may enhance insulin sensitivity, thereby playing a role in regulating blood sugar levels and potentially offering support for those with metabolic concerns. Some studies had small sample sizes, which makes it challenging to generalize findings to larger populations.

May help treat liver damage

In terms of what I felt when I took this plant, my experience supports the observations of others who note that it might act like a much gentler form of disulfiram or Antabuse. Even a tiny amount of alcohol can cause violent illness while on these drugs. By contrast, kudzu creates a mild flushed feeling at most and leaves the drinker craving alcohol a bit less. Additionally, eliminating hot flashes and night sweats, an upset stomach and inflammation are all benefits that you may find from eating kudzu root or taking it as a supplement or tea. Taking kudzu along with diabetes medications could cause your blood sugar to go too low. As far the the root goes, you can cook kudzu roots like potatoes, or dry them and grind them into powder, which makes a great breading for fried foods or a thickener for sauces.

Think you have a drinking problem?

Of course, it’s up to the individual to ensure that he or she doesn’t use this as an excuse to fall off the wagon. Lukas and Lee hold a patent for kudzu extract to treat alcohol abuse and dependence. McLean Hospital has licensed the production of kudzu extract (NPI-031) to Natural Pharmacia International (NPI), Inc. that markets Sober living house it as Alkontrol-Herbal™. There are some known risks of kudzu root that you should be aware of before consuming.

Common Side Effects

Participants were randomized on a blind basis to receive either 4 capsules of the extract (for a total of 520 mg isoflavones) or placebo (sugar beet filler) 2.5 hours before the start of an afternoon drinking session. This pretreatment time was selected based on our pharmacokinetic study of puerarin absorption and elimination (Penetar et al., 2006). 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. Lee et al. 91 investigated the effects of red ginseng on relieving alcohol and hangover symptoms in 25 healthy men in a randomized crossover study.

Antiviral activity

• Milk thistle is an herbal medicine that may help protect the liver from trying to quit alcohol.
• However, further research is necessary to fully comprehend the effects of kudzu on the body.
• The root of the Kudzu plant has been used for centuries in Chinese medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including alcoholism.
• A total of 21 adult males (17 Caucasian, 1 African American, 2 Hispanic, 1 Middle Eastern; mean age 23.8 ± 3.46 years, range 21–33) were recruited through advertisements in local and college newspapers and flyers posted in the Boston area.
• 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.

A slightly increased concentration of alcohol in the brain results in a quicker reward, which in turn reduces a person’s desire to drink more alcohol. The ability of puerarin and related isoflavones to facilitate alcohol’s entry into the brain has not been systematically studied. For this mechanism to be plausible, the more rapid penetration of alcohol into the brain would have to trigger a satiety mechanism rather quickly such that the desire for the next drink is delayed—thus interrupting a binge episode. This is precisely what was observed in the present study as kudzu’s effects were evident after a single dose within a few hours of administration. Of course, it is entirely possible that any of the above mechanisms may also develop with repeated administration and complement the immediate altered absorption effect that likely explains kudzu’s rapid onset of action.

In conclusion, a relatively short-term treatment with kudzu extract failed to have a significant effect on alcohol-induced intoxication and other psychomotor and cognitive effects. Thus, the mechanism of action of this herbal preparation to reduce alcohol consumption remains elusive. Separate general linear model ANOVAs for data with repeated measurements were used to analyze the number of drinks per week and the number of heavy drinking days per week. The two treatments (kudzu and placebo) were analyzed as fixed effects and time (weeks since randomization) as a repeated-measurements effect.

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or infection, but chronic inflammation can lead to various health challenges. Emerging studies hint at Kudzu’s potential role in supporting brain health against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Preliminary research indicates that Kudzu might play a role in balancing cholesterol levels, potentially reducing the levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) while maintaining or increasing the levels of good cholesterol (HDL). Isoflavones, primarily found in legumes, have been researched extensively for their health benefits. In the context of Kudzu and alcohol, Daidzin, in particular, has garnered attention. There are suggestions that this compound might inhibit the craving for alcohol, although the exact mechanism remains a subject of research.