Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Daidzin is an isoflavone glycoside primarily found in the kudzu plant (Pueraria lobata). Its use in supporting or treating alcoholism has a basis in both traditional Chinese medicine—where kudzu has been used for centuries to treat alcohol intoxication—and modern scientific research. However, the scientific validation for daidzin's specific activity comes mainly from preclinical studies rather than robust human trials.

Animal studies, particularly in rodents, have shown that daidzin and related isoflavones (such as daidzein and puerarin) can suppress voluntary alcohol intake. Research has found that daidzin inhibits mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2), an enzyme crucial in alcohol metabolism, leading to an accumulation of acetaldehyde when alcohol is consumed. This biochemical effect is similar to that of disulfiram (Antabuse), a medication used in alcohol aversion therapy. The resulting unpleasant symptoms discourage further alcohol consumption.

Despite promising results in animal models, there is a lack of large-scale, high-quality human clinical trials directly evaluating daidzin for alcoholism treatment. The majority of evidence comes from laboratory studies, with limited data on efficacy or safety in humans. Consequently, while the mechanistic rationale and preclinical data are encouraging, the overall evidence supporting daidzin’s use for alcoholism remains preliminary. More rigorous clinical trials are needed to establish its therapeutic potential and safety profile in people with alcohol use disorder.

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