A standardized extract of the fruit of Hovenia dulcis alleviated alcohol-induced hangover in healthy subjects with heterozygous ALDH2: A randomized, controlled, crossover trial

• Published in: Journal of ethnopharmacology Vol. 209; pp. 167 - 174
• Main Authors: Kim, Hoejin, Kim, You Jin, Jeong, Hye Yun, Kim, Ji Yeon, Choi, Eun-Kyung, Chae, Soo Wan, Kwon, Oran
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier B.V 14.09.2017
• Subjects: acetaldehyde; Adult; adults; Alcohol; alcohol drinking; Alcohol Drinking - adverse effects; alcohols; Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, Mitochondrial - genetics; alleles; aspartate transaminase; Biomarkers; blood sampling; correlation; Cross-Over Studies; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 - genetics; East Asia; endotoxins; Fruit - chemistry; fruit extracts; Fruit of Hovenia dulcis Thunb; Genetic polymorphism; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Hangover; heterozygosity; Heterozygote; Hovenia dulcis; Humans; Inflammation; interleukin-10; interleukin-6; Male; males; placebos; Plant Extracts - chemistry; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Rhamnaceae - chemistry; Time Factors; traditional medicine; trees; Young Adult; East Asia; AST; CONSORT; sCD14; Hangover; ADH; HDE; ALT; Alcohol; Inflammation; IL-12; IL-6; IL-10; ALDH; IFN-γ; TNF-α; iAUC; Genetic polymorphism; CYP2E1; LBP; Fruit of Hovenia dulcis Thunb
• ISSN: 0378-8741; 1872-7573; 1872-7573
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2017.07.028

Hovenia dulcis, known as the oriental raisin tree, is mainly found in East Asia. It has long been used as traditional folk remedies for alcohol intoxication. To examine the anti-hangover effect of Hovenia dulcis Thunb. fruit extract (HDE) in a randomized controlled crossover trial. Twenty-six eligible male adults with heterozygous ALDH2 (23.7±0.3 years old) consumed 360mL of Korean Soju (50g alcohol) together with HDE (2460mg) or matched placebo with subsequent crossover. The blood samples were taken at baseline and 1, 4, and 12h post-treatment. Blood alcohol, acetaldehyde, and total hangover scores were highest at 1h post-treatment with no difference between groups, but declines in hangover symptom scores were significant in the HDE group compared to the placebo group. Significant differences between groups were also observed on interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-10/IL-6 ratio, and aspartate aminotransferase levels, but not on endotoxins. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between total hangover symptom scores and IL-6 and IL-10 level. Further analyses by CYP2E1 polymorphism at rs10776687, rs2031920, rs3813867, and rs4838767 alleles showed a reversed association, suggesting that CYP2E1 polymorphism might be an effect modifier. The results suggest that a favorable effect of HDE on alcohol hangovers might be associated with enhancing homeostatic regulation of inflammatory response. The magnitude of impact might be different in the presence of CYP2E1 polymorphism. [Display omitted] •The anti-hangover effect of HDE was tested on healthy subjects with heterozygous ALDH2.•Headache, dizziness, nausea, and weakness were significantly alleviated.•The favorable effect appeared to be associated with inflammation w/o endotoxemia.•The magnitude of effects might be different in subjects with CYP2E1 polymorphism.