ISOFLAVONOID COMPOUNDS EXTRACTED FROM PUERARIA-LOBATA SUPPRESS ALCOHOL PREFERENCE IN A PHARMACOGENETIC RAT MODEL OF ALCOHOLISM

The extract from an edible vine, Pueraria lobata, has long been used i n China to lessen alcohol intoxication. We have previously shown that daidzin, one of the major components from this plant extract, is effic acious in lowering blood alcohol levels and shortens sleep time induce d by alcohol ingestion. This study was conducted to test the antidipso tropic effect of daidzin and two other major isoflavonoids, daidzein a nd puerarin, from Pueraria lobata administered by the oral route. An a lcohol-preferring rat model, the selectively-bred P line of rats, was used for the study. All three isoflavonoid compounds were effective in suppressing voluntary alcohol consumption by the P rats. When given o rally to P rats at a dose of 100 mg/kg/day, daidzein, daidzin, and pue rarin decreased ethanol intake by 75%, 50%, and 40%, respectively. The decrease in alcohol consumption was accompanied by an increase in wat er intake, so that the total fluid volume consumed daily remained unch anged. The effects of these isoflavonoid compounds on alcohol and wate r intake were reversible. Suppression of alcohol consumption was evide nt after 1 day of administration and became maximal after 2 days. Simi larly, alcohol preference returned to baseline levels 2 days after dis continuation of the isoflavonoids. Rats receiving the herbal extracts ate the same amounts of food as control animals, and they gained weigh t normally during the experiments. When administered orally, none of t hese compounds affected the activities of liver alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase. Therefore, the reversal of alcohol prefere nce produced by these compounds may be mediated via the CNS. Data demo nstrate that isoflavonoid compounds extracted from Pueraria lobata is effective in suppressing the appetite for alcohol when taken orally, r aising the possibility that other constituents of edible plants may ex ert similar and more potent actions.