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Abstract
Preliminary Study of the Effect of Bauhinia strychnifolia Craib on Blood Alcohol Levels
in Healthy Volunteers
†
†
Navaporn Luengthong*, Chakariya Lin , Verasing Muangman , Surapote Wongyai*, ‡
*College of Oriental Medicine, Rangsit University, Patumthani 12000, Thailand.
†
Vichaiyut Hospital, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
‡
Corresponding author: surapote@rsu.ac.th
Rationale and Objective: The aim of this randomized controlled trial study was to test the
effects of Bauhinia strychnifolia Craib (ya-nang daeng, in Thai) extract on blood alcohol levels in
healthy volunteers in comparison with placebo.
Methodology: Participants were 59 men (aged 20-45 years, mean age: 29.5), 43 in the 20-30
age group and 16 in the 31-45 age group; and the numbers of treatment/placebo participants in
the two age groups were 28/15 and 8/8, respectively. All volunteers received 120 ml. of alcoholic
drink containing ethanol 42 ml. once and the blood alcohol concentrations were measured using
a breath alcohol analyzer 15 minutes later. The participants were randomly assigned to receive
either 1 sachet of herbal effervescent powder, containing 1.3 g. of Bauhinia strychnifolia Craib
extract with the extraction ratio of 11.9:1, or placebo effervescent powder without the herbal
extract. The clinical assessments included blood alcohol measurement and responses to a ques-
tionnaire on health status. Blood alcohol concentrations were measured every 15 minutes for 2
hours and the participants were requested to answer the questionnaire about their health condi-
tions during study.
Results: In the 20-30 age group, there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in blood alcohol
concentrations in the treatment group and the placebo group, from the 45th minute onwards, but
in the 31-45 age group, no significant difference was observed. No side effects were found during
the period of study.
Discussion and Conclusions: Bauhinia strychnifolia Craib extract could reduce blood alco-
hol concentrations in the younger age group and there were no side effects. This research shows
the potential of Bauhinia strychnifolia extract as an anti-alcohol remedy.
Keywords: clinical study, Bauhinia strychnifolia Craib, blood alcohol level, healthy volunteers