Effect of <i>Elaeagnus Conferta</i> Roxb (Elaeagnaceae) Dry Fruit on the Activities of Hepatic Alcohol Dehydrogenase and Aldehyde Dehydrogenase in Mice

Purposes: To determine the effect of Elaeagnus conferta Roxb dry fruit powder (ECR) on blood alcohol clearance and on the activities of hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH).Methods: In a randomized controlled study, acute alcohol intoxication was induced in mice with Hongxing liquor containing 65 % v/v ethanol orally. The effect of ECR on blood alcohol clearance and on the activities of hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase in the mice was then investigated.Results: A 30-min pretreatment with ECR at 400 and 800 mg/kg led to a faster clearance of blood alcohol after the alcohol ingestion. The concentration of blood alcohol at 4 h after alcohol ingestion decreased by 21.2 % in mice pretreated with 800 mg/kg ECR. The activities of hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) were enhanced by ECR.Conclusion: These results suggest that pretreatment with ECR might stimulate the clearance of blood alcohol by increasing the activities of hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase.Keywords: Elaeagnus conferta Roxb, blood alcohol clearance, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH).