Evaluation of sample effects on alcohol metabolizing enzyme activity and hangover relief in a mouse model

Abstract

Alcohol is metabolized to acetaldehyde and acetate mainly by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). Acetaldehyde accumulation is a key factor in hangover symptoms and alcohol-induced toxicity. In this study, we have investigated the effects of a Morning Care series on ethanol and acetaldehyde metabolism in male and female mice. Blood ethanol and acetaldehyde concentrations, ADH and ALDH activities in the blood and liver, and hepatic gene expression were measured at multiple time points after ethanol administration. EX PREMIUM, a hangover-relief beverage developed by Dong-A Pharm, signifi cantly reduced blood ethanol and acetaldehyde concentrations and enhanced ADH and ALDH activities, accompanied by the upregulation of ADH and ALDH gene expression. These effects were consistently observed in both sexes. These results have suggested that EX PREMIUM effectively promotes alcohol metabolism, facilitates acetaldehyde clearance, and may contribute to alleviating alcohol-induced toxicity and hangover symptoms.