PLANT COMPOUND COULD TREAT DRUG ADDICTION

NEW YORK, Nov 24 (Reuters Health) - A compound taken from the root of an
African shrub, called ibogaine, might have potential as a treatment for
drug dependence, experts said in New York this month at a conference on the
plant.

Ibogaine has traditionally been used as a medicinal and ceremonial agent in
West Central Africa. Conference organizer Dr. Kenneth Alper, of the
department of psychiatry and neurology at New York University, told Reuters
Health that according to 30 years of evidence, ibogaine can relieve
symptoms of acute opioid withdrawal.

But because the compound is itself a controlled drug, its use in treating
heroin addiction has remained controversial. Another problem, Alper told
Reuters Health, is that no scientific study has measured its effect in
humans. So far, only animal studies have been conducted.

Alper said that the US Food and Drug Administration has approved
preliminary studies for ibogaine. But because it is a naturally occurring
plant compound and the patent is close to expiration, the pharmaceutical
industry has little interest in developing the drug.

Alper has drawn up a plan to test ibogaine, which has been approved. He
said that he is looking for partnerships with pharmaceutical companies and
ministries of health overseas to start a trial.