Effect of alcuremon traditional medicine on Alcoholism-related depression and anxiety

Abstract

Background: According to WHO, over 2 billion people worldwide consume alcohol, with more than 80 million suffering from alcohol consumption-related disorders. A nationwide study conducted in Mongolia found that, as of 2023, alcohol dependence had increased 30-fold compared to 1994. Additionally, 46.6% of individuals diagnosed with chronic alcoholism experience chronic fatigue, anxiety, depression, and nonorganic sleep disorders. In recent years, there has been an increased focus on research into new medications for alcohol dependence. Synthetic medications commonly used to prevent relapse and reduce alcohol appetite in alcohol dependence may not be effective in cases where tolerance to the medication, liver damage, or acute and chronic hepatitis are present. In traditional Mongolian medicine, there is a prescription known as “Channadselshi - Four Cures for Alcoholism,” which has been used to treat alcoholism. According to the source book, a person who consumes this medicine, either with alcohol or water, is allegorically said to be able to awaken from the end of drunkenness and the desire to drink. Within the framework of the project implemented from 2015 to 2017, chemical, technological, and pharmacological studies were conducted on this prescription, resulting in the isolation and combination of biologically active substances to create Alcuremon tablets for the treatment of alcohol dependence and alcoholic hepatitis. Therefore, the need to conduct clinical studies to assess the feasibility and justification for incorporating Alcuremon tablets into therapeutic practice is the rationale for this study. Aim: To study the effects of the traditional medicine Alcuremon on depression and anxiety in individuals with chronic alcoholism. Materials and Methods: The study employed a clinical trial design combined with a descriptive research methodology, conducted at the Center for Addictology, Behavioral, and Psychological Assistance. A total of 50 individuals diagnosed with chronic alcoholism (ICD-10: F10.1 and F10.2), who met the inclusion criteria and provided informed consent, were enrolled in the study. Participants received two Alcuremon tablets of 0.5 g each, twice daily, morning and evening, for 30 days. The results of the study were analyzed using the Michigan Alcohol Dependence Assessment (MADA) test, administered to participants; the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) to assess the cause and level of depression; and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale to measure anxiety, both before and after treatment, as well as 30 days following the treatment. Results: In the study, participants diagnosed with chronic alcoholism were classified by diagnostic group: 60% (n=18) were diagnosed with ICD-10 F10.2, Alcohol Dependence, and 40% (n=12) were diagnosed with F10.1, Alcohol Abuse. The demographic characteristics of the study participants were as follows: Out of a total of 30 participants aged 30-68 years, 27 (90%) were male and 3 (10%) were female, with a median age of 49.56±10.36 years. In terms of education, 53.3% (n=16) had completed secondary education, while 46.7% (n=14) had higher education. Of those diagnosed with alcoholism, 76.7% (n=23) were smokers, while 23.3% (n=7) were non-smokers. The length of alcohol abuse ranged from 1 to 25 years, with a mean of 9.13±5.32 years. When assessing alcohol dependence using the MADA test, the mean alcohol dependence score before treatment was 33.40±1.72, indicating Stage III of alcoholic dependence. After treatment, the score decreased to 31.20±8.72, but no statistically significant difference was observed (P=0.068, t=1.86). Upon assessing the level of depression using the SDS test, the mean depression score was 45.03±9.92 before treatment, which decreased to 30.96±8.23 after treatment, showing a statistically significant difference (P=0.000, t=5.43). Using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, the mean anxiety score before treatment was 23.82±12.03, indicating severe anxiety. After treatment, it decreased to 9.00±8.43, reflecting moderate anxiety, with a statistically significant difference (P=0.0001, t=7.19). Upon assessing the relationship between factors affecting alcohol consumption in individuals with alcohol use disorders using Pearson’s test (Burns and Grove, 2005), the following findings were observed: the age of onset of alcohol consumption was 21.06±5.66 years, the years of heavy drinking was 9.13±5.32, the alcohol dependence score was 33.40±9.72, the depression level was 45.03±9.92, and the anxiety level was 23.83±12.03, respectively. Conclusion: The traditional medicine Alcuremon was found to be effective (P<0.05) in reducing depression and anxiety in individuals with alcoholism. Alcohol dependence was found to be positively and strongly correlated with depression (r=0.57) and anxiety disorders (r=0.66).