| Potential treatment for alcoholism found in ancient Chinese hangover cure |
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The bark of the oriental raisin tree has been used for centuries as a hangover cure in China. Now researchers have isolated a chemical, dihydromyricetin, which may be responsible for its effects. They found that it blocked the effect of alcohol on mice, reducing drunkenness, desire for alcohol and hangover symptoms. This could prove an effective treatment for alcoholics and appears to have few side effects. The research suggests that DHM works by stopping alcohol from accessing GABA receptors in the brain. Quoted in New Scientist David Nutt said “This supports other data that GABA receptors are key in the actions of alcohol and that targeting this interaction is a viable approach to reducing alcohol intake. Let's hope it's safe to use in humans." New Scientist: http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn21337-chinese-tree-extract-stops-rats-getting-drunk.html UCLA (Press release): http://www.uclahealth.org/body.cfm?id=561&action=detail&ref=1821 The Journal of Neuroscience (Journal paper): http://www.jneurosci.org/content/32/1/390 |