Protective effects of Hoveniae Semen Seu Fructus extract on acute alcoholic liver injury and the development of hangover beverages

: This study investigated the protective effects of Hoveniae Semen Seu Fructus (HSF) extract against acute alcoholic liver injury (AALI) and evaluated its potential for developing a hangover-relieving beverage. Network pharmacology prioritized candidate hub targets, including AKT1 and SRC, while molecular docking suggested potential interactions between representative HSF constituents, such as quercetin, naringenin, and stigmasterol, and selected hub proteins and alcohol-metabolizing enzymes, including ADH, ALDH, and CYP2E1. In vivo, HSF reduced liver and spleen enlargement, decreased serum ALT and AST activities, enhanced ADH and ALDH activities, and reduced CYP2E1 levels. HSF also decreased serum TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β levels and improved hepatic antioxidant capacity by increasing SOD and CAT activities and reducing MDA levels. The honey-lemon-HSF beverage showed comparable hepatoprotective and alcohol-metabolism-promoting effects. Overall, HSF alleviated alcohol-induced liver injury and promoted ethanol metabolism, potentially through coordinated regulation of oxidative stress, inflammation, and alcohol metabolism. These findings support the potential application of HSF in functional beverages for alcohol-related liver protection.