Abstract
There is extensive worldwide use for the social consumption of alcohol. Abuse of alcohol causes substantial personal, psychological and medical health issues. In addition, there are significant national economic costs from lost productivity. However, there are limited pharmaceutical drugs for the treatment of alcohol overuse. Historically, many cultures have used herbs and other natural compounds to reduce problematic alcohol induced behaviour but the evidence is anecdotal. This study investigated if a natural compound formula (RM88) that was developed could reduce blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in a controlled case series. Thirteen subjects (5 males, 8 females, age range 18 to 85 years) completed 16 paired sessions of alcohol only versus RM88 with alcohol. Subjects consumed one to three standard drinks of beer, wine or spirits (14.7 to 29.4 gm alcohol). Measurements were made by a fuel cell breathalyzer for a period of 90 minutes. Summated BAC showed a reduction in 94% (15/16) of paired test sessions (BAC reduction range 23% - 79%, mean 50.9% ± 16.5%, p = 0.0005). Data normalized to 20 gm alcohol (two standard drinks) showed a significance of p = 0.00026. One subject on prednisone and hydroxychloroquine drugs had increased BAC from RM88. The average reductions of BAC for the beverages were spirits 34% (n = 3), beer 36% (n = 3), and wine 52% (n = 10). RM88 showed that this combination of natural compounds was very effective in reducing maximal peak concentrations of alcohol.