Evaluation of Neoalleviase (NA-1700) in Heroin Detoxification: Preliminary Report on Toxicity and Efficacy Including Prophylactic Measure in Mice and Clinical Study

Abstract

Neoalleviase (NA-1700) is a specially formulated unique combination of 14 well-identified species of higher plants whose extracts were obtained through an enzymatic process with macerozymes prior to clinical study. Toxicity and efficacy tests were satisfactorily performed by bioassay with 120 mice under double-blind conditions for 82 days. Straub tests facilitated efficacy proof in mice. Neoalleviase (530 mg capsules q.i.d.) was administered to 268 active heroin addicts under double-blind conditions. The established dosage schedule was utilized over a 35 day drug administration period (maximum) with a follow-up observation at 10 months. Himmelsback's techniques were used to determine withdrawal scores. The results of this study indicated that Neoalleviase (NA-1700) effectively suppressed withdrawal signs and symptoms without undesirable major side effects at the given therapeutic dose level. It appears to be potentially the most promising heroin detoxification agent.