A randomized controlled trial on the seeds of Sophora alopecuroides var. alopecuroides for the treatment of acute heroin withdrawal syndrome

Background: and purpose: The seeds of Sophora alopecuroides var. alopecuroides have attenuated the acute opium withdrawal syndrome in humans. Therefore, the efficacy and safety of a standardized extract of the plant for the treatment of acute heroin withdrawal syndrome was evaluated in abstinent heroin addicts. Materials and methods: The patients were randomized to take three 400 mg extract capsules (N = 50) or placebo (N = 50) once per day orally for eight days. The severity of withdrawal syndrome was assessed by the clinical opiate withdrawal scale (COWS) as the primary outcome measure at the baseline and on the days 3 and 8. The hepatic and renal functions and complete blood count were the secondary outcome measures tested at the baseline and end of the study.Results: The COWS score decreased in both groups after eight days, but the decrease was significantly higher in the experimental group (p < 0.001); the effect size of the decrease was 2.64. The groups had significant dif-ferences in the COWS scores on the days 3 and 8 (p < 0.001 for both). The extract had no significant effect on the other parameters. No side effect was noted.Conclusion: The extract seems to alleviate acute heroin withdrawal syndrome safely.

Automated summary

The efficacy and safety of a standardized extract of Sophora alopecuroides var. alopecuroides for the treatment of acute heroin withdrawal syndrome was evaluated. The experimental group showed a significant decrease in withdrawal syndrome scores after eight days of treatment, with no significant effect on other parameters. The extract appears to safely alleviate acute heroin withdrawal syndrome.