Washington, Jan 9 (IANS) A compound of an ancient herbal medicine called dihydromyricetin, isolated from the plant Hovenia, counteracts acute alcohol intoxication and consequent hangover, a research team in the US has found.

The team from David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, found in an early study with rats that dihydromyricetin blocks the action of alcohol on neurons (brain cells) and also reduces voluntary alcohol consumption, with no major side effects.

Specifically, dihydromyricetin inhibited alcohol’s effect on the brain’s GABAA receptors, specific sites targeted by chemicals from brain cells.

Richard W. Olsen, Jing Liang professor and associate professor in molecular and medical pharmacology at David Geffen conducted the study.

Alcohol normally enhances the GABAA receptors’ influence in slowing brain cell activity, reducing the ability to communicate and increasing sleepiness - common symptoms of drunkenness.

Alcohol-use disorders are the most common form of substance abuse, affecting more than 76 million people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. The next stage of the research will involve human clinical trials, the researchers said.