Safety and Effects of WON-21, herbal medicine combination, on blood ethanol and acetaldehyde levels in ethanol administered rats

Objectives: A hangover is a set of unpleasant mental and physical symptoms following heavy alcohol consumption, influenced by factors such as alcohol type, individual tolerance, hydration, and alcohol metabolites. Although these factors are known, the exact pathological mechanisms remain unclear. Previous research has shown a negative correlation between blood alcohol elimination rates and hangover severity. This study aimed to evaluate the acute toxicity and the effects of WON-21, a herbal medicine combination with reported anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties and the ability to enhance alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) enzyme activity, on ethanol and acetaldehyde metabolism in an animal model of alcohol-induced hangover.Methods: In the acute toxicity study, WON-21 was evaluated in male rats following the OECD Guideline No. 423. An acute alcohol-induced hangover model was established in rats. Different doses of WON-21 were administered, and blood samples were collected at various time points to measure ethanol and acetaldehyde concentrations. A control group without WON-21 treatment was used for comparison.Results: In the acute toxicity study, no lethal effects or toxic signs were observed during the duration of the study. WON-21 administration resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in blood ethanol and acetaldehyde concentrations compared to the control group. Higher doses showed greater effectiveness in accelerating the clearance of these substances.Conclusions: The findings suggest that WON-21 may facilitate faster elimination of ethanol and acetaldehyde, potentially alleviating hangover symptoms. Combined with its known antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and enzyme-activating properties, WON-21 may offer therapeutic benefits for managing alcohol-induced hangovers.