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Enhancement of Alcohol Metabolism by Ginseng Berry Extract and its Mixed Herbal Beverages: In vitro and in vivo Experiments

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Abstract

Objective

To investigate the enhancement of alcohol metabolism by two ginseng berry (GB) extracts and their two types of mixed herbal beverages through in vitro and in vivo experiments.

Methods

Two GB extract solutions and their two herbal beverages were evaluated as enhancers of alcohol metabolism in normal human embryonic liver cells (CL-48 cell line) through assays of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity. Cytotoxicity was also assessed in the same cell line using an MTT assay. Effects on alcohol metabolism were also observed in vivo through measurement of serum alcohol, acetaldehyde, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels in alcohol treated rats. Blood samples were serially collected at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 hrs after a single ethanol (EtOH) treatment. A single treatment with the test samples was administered orally 30 minutes after EtOH treatment.

Results

GB extract solutions effectively elevated the ADH and ALDH activity observed in vitro, while no treatment- related cytotoxic effects were found with test samples t concentrations up to 100 mg/mL. Significantly lower (p<0.01 or p<0.05) serum alcohol and acetaldehyde content was observed in samples from treated rats than in those from control rats (EtOH only) 1 or 2 hrs after EtOH treatment. In addition, noticeable decreases were observed in serum AST and ALT levels in treated samples 8 hrs after EtOH administration. HM40, an herbal mixture containing GB extract (40 mg/75 mL of ginsenoside Re), showed betters enhancement of alcohol metabolism through ADH/ALDH activation, as well as related hepatoprotective effects.

Results

GB extracts effectively enhanced alcohol metabolism without cytotoxicity while also providing possible hepatoprotective effects that could serve as a functional ingredient in anti-hangover alternative therapies. These extracts are expected to be more effective when made into herbal mixture beverages.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy and Histology, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Hanuidae-ro, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, 38610, Republic of Korea

    Sae-Kwang Ku

  2. Aribio Co. Ltd., #2-301, Pangyo Seven Venture Valley, 15 Pangyoro 229-gil, Bundang-gu, Seungnam, Gyeonggi-do, 13487, Republic of Korea

    Jai Jun Choung, Jong Kyu Kim, Yoon Seok Chun & Joo Wan Kim

  3. Major in Food Biotechnology, Division of Bioindustry, College of Medical and Life Sciences, Silla University, 140, Baegyang-daero 700beon-gil, Sasang-gu, Busan, 46958, Republic of Korea

    Jae-Suk Choi

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Correspondence to Jae-Suk Choi or Joo Wan Kim.

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Ku, SK., Choung, J.J., Kim, J.K. et al. Enhancement of Alcohol Metabolism by Ginseng Berry Extract and its Mixed Herbal Beverages: In vitro and in vivo Experiments. Toxicol. Environ. Health Sci. 11, 144–154 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13530-019-0399-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13530-019-0399-z

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