Biochemical studies of ginseng saponins part 11 the effect of ginseng saponins on aldehyde dehydrogenase ec 1.2.1.3
Joo, C.N.; Koo, J.D.; Kim, D.S.; Lee, S.J.
Korean Biochemical Journal 10(2): 109-120
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0368-4881
Accession: 004834011
The effect of ginseng saponins, 1 of the major components of Korean ginseng root, was observed on rat hepatic aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH, EC 1.2.1.3) to understand the physiological role of saponin in alcohol metabolism in the body. Mitochondrial ALDH was stimulated by saponin in concentrations around 1 .times. 10-8%-1 .times. 10-6% in the assay mixture but inhibited when the saponin concentration was over 1 .times. 10-4%. Km of mitochondrial ALDH for acetaldehyde reached the lowest value at 1 .times. 10-7% of the saponin suggesting that the saponin stimulation of the ALDH might be brought about by a lowering of Km of ALDH for acetaldehyde. Cytosolic ALDH was also stimulated by the saponin. Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH, EC 1.1.1.1.) stimulation by moderate amounts of saponin was confirmed using radioactive ethanol-1-14C. The moderate amount of saponin accelerated ethanol oxidation to acetate by stimulating both ADH and ALDH.