Posted on 08/13/2009 11:26:37 AM PDT by JoeProBono
Kudzu—an invasive vine infamous for choking much of the southern U.S.—may end up being a lifeline for alcoholics, a new rat study shows.
Native to Asia, kudzu has long been used as a treatment for addiction by practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine. Accidentally introduced to the U.S. in the late 1800s, the fast-growing plant has smothered many native plants throughout the South
More than a decade's worth of studies have shown that extracts of kudzu can successfully reduce cravings and consumption of alcohol in both animals and humans. Now, researchers are exploring two ways of turning the plant into a medicine.
For the first time, researchers have attempted to synthesize a drug based on daidzin—a chemical component of kudzu identified as the possible source of the plant's powers.
Though kudzu extract is already available in health food stores, "it's not a good drug," said study leader Ivan Diamond, vice president of Gilead Sciences, a biopharmaceutical company that is working to develop a kudzu-based compound for humans.
That's because kudzu extract—unregulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration—is poorly absorbed by the body and its concentration varies wildly from bottle to bottle, he said.
"As a doctor, you want to know exactly how much of the active chemical gets into the blood and what it does there. Our idea is to take the best of this plant and make a controlled medicine."
A Rat Walks Into a Bar …
Diamond's team successfully tested a synthetic, kudzu-like compound called CVT-10216 on "alcoholic" rats, with help from scientists. (Diamond has a financial interest in Gilead and stands to profit if a drug based on CVT-10216 can be successfully marketed.)
Like college students, the rodents were eased into alcohol consumption by drinking sugar-water cocktails. Slowly, the drinks got stiffer. A variety of tests gauged the rats' desire for alcohol.
In the most significant test, researchers gave rats access to booze only in a special cage. Once the rats showed significant interest in alcohol—for instance, choosing it over water—the researchers made them go cold turkey for several weeks......
Timothy Leary originally considered using LSD to wean alcoholics off of booze.
"Where'sh my *hic* car?? It washh here a few hoursh ago. When I went into *hic* the bar."
They are apparently spelling that chemical wrong. I believe it should be spelled “daidzein,” and it is in soybeans as well.
I’ve read that it is potentially damaging, especially to men. Both it and genistein are implicated in thyroid and other concerns stemming from soy protein use.
It’s too bad it can’t be turned in to gas, but then the Green idiots would say it was endangered.
Looks like my neighbor when she weed-whacks.........
Interesting. I wonder if Kudzu is effective at curbing all addictions or just alcohol? Seems strange that it would only be effective against alcoloic addiction. I wonder why the article doesnt go any further? Maybe they can stop those free-needle programs and other money grabs that go to addicts. Oh wait, I’m starting to step on the toes of druggie leftist programs instead of just alcoholic Republicans. Surely “Nat Geo” isn’t political is it?
Fore!!!
There wouldn’t be a leaf left if they found it could cure obesity! Kudzu - the NEW diet pill - you wont even care if you eat!
Done by the same folks I’m sure that did this Spiders on Drugs test. I dare you to watch this and still advocate the use of drugs.
Spiders on Drugs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHzdsFiBbFc
Translation: It's not a good drug because the pharmaceutical industry doesn't make it.
I’ve worked in Mississippi, off and on, for about ten years now.
Usually drive down there twice a month.
Leaving again on Sunday.
I’m always amazed at how invasive that kudzu is.
I wonder which is worse, kudzu or bamboo?
After seeing that, I’m wanting some of those drugs.
Kudzu the vine that ate Georgia
Has nearly destroyed the native turduken population
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.