Synthesis of potential antidipsotropic isoflavones: inhibitors of the mitochondrial monoamine oxidase-aldehyde dehydrogenase pathway.

Recently we have shown that daidzin, the major active principle of an ancient herbal treatment for "alcohol addiction", suppresses ethanol intake in alcohol-preferring laboratory animals. Further, we have identified the monoamine oxidase (MAO)-aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH-2) pathway of the mitochondria as the potential site of action of daidzin. Daidzin analogues that potently inhibit ALDH-2 but have no or little effect on MAO are most antidipsotropic, whereas those that also inhibit MAO exhibit little, if any, antidipsotropic activity. Therefore, in the design and synthesis of more potent antidipsotropic analogues, structural features important for the inhibition of both ALDH-2 and MAO must be taken into consideration. To gain further information on the structure-activity relationships at the inhibitor binding sites of ALDH-2 and MAO, we prepared 44 analogues of daidzin and determined their potencies for ALDH-2 and MAO inhibition. Results indicate that a sufficient set of criteria for a potent antidipsotropic analogue is an isoflavone with a free 4'-OH function and a straight-chain alkyl substituent at the 7 position that has a terminal polar function such as -OH, -COOH, or -NH(2). The preferable chain lengths for the 7-O-omega-hydroxy, 7-O-omega-carboxy, and 7-O-omega-amino subsitutents are 2 < or = n < or = 6, 5 < or = n < or = 10, and n > or = 4, respectively. Analogues that meet these criteria have increased potency for ALDH-2 inhibition and/or decreased potency for MAO inhibition and therefore are likely to be potent antidipsotropic agents.

Metallothionein-III antagonizes the neurotoxic and neurotrophic effects of amyloid beta peptides.

Metallothionein-III (MT-III) protects cerebral cortical neurons in established culture from the toxic effect of amyloid beta peptides (Abetas). Protection is concentration dependent and approaches 100% at 0.1 microM. The EC(50) value estimated at 5 microM Abeta(1-40) is 2 nM. At higher concentrations (>0.1 microM), MT-III also antagonizes the trophic effect of Abeta(1-40) on cerebral cortical neurons in early cultures. Because only the fibrillar, SDS-resistant form of Abeta aggregates are thought to be neurotoxic, we analyzed and compared Abeta(1-40) aggregates formed in the presence and absence of MT-III using SDS-PAGE. Results show that aggregates formed in the absence of MT-III are predominantly SDS-resistant whereas those formed in its presence are mostly SDS-soluble. Neither MT-I nor -II exhibits any of the effects of MT-III. On the basis of these results, we propose that MT-III alleviates Abetas' neurotoxic effect by abolishing the formation of toxic aggregates of Abetas and that it may play a specific and important role in protecting the brain from the deleterious effects of Abetas.

Biogenic aldehyde(s) derived from the action of monoamine oxidase may mediate the antidipsotropic effect of daidzin.

Daidzin, a major active principle of an ancient herbal treatment for 'alcohol addiction', was first shown to suppress ethanol intake in Syrian golden hamsters. Since then this activity has been confirmed in Wistar rats, Fawn hooded rats, genetically bred alcohol preferring P rats and African green moneys under various experimental conditions, including two-level operant, two-bottle free-choice, limited access, and alcohol-deprivation paradigms. In vitro, daidzin is a potent and selective inhibitor of mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH-2). However, in vivo, it does not affect overall acetaldehyde metabolism in golden hamsters. Using isolated hamster liver mitochondria and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) as the substrates, we demonstrated that daidzin inhibits the second but not the first step of the MAO/ALDH-2 pathway, the major pathway that catalyzes monoamine metabolism in mitochondria. Correlation studies using structural analogs of daidzin led to the hypothesis that the mitochondrial MAO/ALDH-2 pathway may be the site of action of daidzin and that one or more biogenic aldehydes such as 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetaldehyde (5-HIAL) and/or DOPAL derived from the action of monoamine oxidase (MAO) may be mediators of its antidipsotropic action.

The mitochondrial monoamine oxidase-aldehyde dehydrogenase pathway: a potential site of action of daidzin.

Recent studies showed that daidzin suppresses ethanol intake in ethanol-preferring laboratory animals. In vitro, it potently and selectively inhibits the mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH-2). Further, it inhibits the conversion of monoamines such as serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) into their respective acid metabolites, 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) in isolated hamster or rat liver mitochondria. Studies on the suppression of ethanol intake and inhibition of 5-HIAA (or DOPAC) formation by six structural analogues of daidzin suggested a potential link between these two activities. This, together with the finding that daidzin does not affect the rates of mitochondria-catalyzed oxidative deamination of these monoamines, raised the possibility that the ethanol intake-suppressive (antidipsotropic) action of daidzin is not mediated by the monoamines but rather by their reactive biogenic aldehyde intermediates such as 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetaldehyde (5-HIAL) and/or 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde (DOPAL) which accumulate in the presence of daidzin. To further evaluate this possibility, we synthesized more structural analogues of daidzin and tested and compared their antidipsotropic activities in Syrian golden hamsters with their effects on monoamine metabolism in isolated hamster liver mitochondria using 5-HT as the substrate. Effects of daidzin and its structural analogues on the activities of monoamine oxidase (MAO) and ALDH-2, the key enzymes involved in 5-HT metabolism in the mitochondria, were also examined. Results from these studies reveal a positive correlation between the antidipsotropic activities of these analogues and their abilities to increase 5-HIAL accumulation during 5-HT metabolism in isolated hamster liver mitochondria. Daidzin analogues that potently inhibit ALDH-2 but have no or little effect on MAO are most antidipsotropic, whereas those that also potently inhibit MAO exhibit little, if any, antidipsotropic activity. These results, although inconclusive, are consistent with the hypothesis that daidzin may act via the mitochondrial MAO/ALDH pathway and that a biogenic aldehyde such as 5-HIAL may be important in mediating its antidipsotropic action.

Volitional ethanol consumption affects overall serotonin metabolism in Syrian golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus).

Methods were established for the determination of serotonin (5-HT)(1) metabolites 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA) and 5-hydroxytryptophol (5-HTOL) in the urine of Syrian golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) and used to study the effect of volitional ethanol consumption on overall 5-HT metabolism in this ethanol-preferring rodent. The basal levels of 5-HIAA and 5-HTOL in 24-h urine of ethanol-naive hamsters were 300 +/- 101 and 4.96 +/- 1. 06 nmol (n = 8), respectively. Given free choice between water and a 15% ethanol solution, these hamsters chose to consume increasing amounts of ethanol. The increase was accompanied by a concomitant decrease in urine 5-HIAA and increase in urine 5-HTOL, indicating that volitional ethanol intake diverted part of the 5-HT metabolic flux from an oxidative into a reductive pathway. In a separate experiment, the amounts of ethanol consumed by and blood ethanol concentrations attained in ethanol-drinking golden hamsters were determined at 5 different time intervals between 6 PM and 7 AM when most feeding activities occurred. Except in the first hour after lights were turned off, ethanol was consumed at a relatively even pace throughout the night (2-3 g/kg/3 h) and blood ethanol levels were maintained at the low mM range which rarely exceeded 2 mM. These results suggest that the biochemical pathway that catalyzes 5-HT metabolism is extremely sensitive to ethanol and can play an important role in mediating the reported clinically beneficial action of a low concentration of ethanol during alcohol detoxification.

Bovine adrenal 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (E.C. 1.1.1. 145)/5-ene-4-ene isomerase (E.C. 5.3.3.1): characterization and its inhibition by isoflavones.

The isoflavones daidzein, genistein, biochanin A and formononetin inhibit potently and preferentially the gamma-isozymes of mammalian alcohol dehydrogenase (gammagamma-ADH), the only ADH isozyme that catalyzes the oxidation of 3beta-hydroxysteroids. Based on these results, we proposed that these isoflavones might also act on other enzymes involved in 3beta-hydroxysteroid metabolism. Recently, we showed that they indeed are potent inhibitors of a bacterial beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (beta-HSD). To extend this finding to the mammalian systems, we hereby purified, characterized and studied the effects of isoflavones and structurally related compounds on, a bovine adrenal 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD). This enzyme catalyzes the oxidation of 3beta-hydroxysteroids but not 3alpha-, 11beta- or 17beta-hydroxysteroids. The same enzyme also catalyzes 5-ene-4-ene isomerization, converting 5-pregnen 3, 20-dione to progesterone. The K(m) values of its dehydrogenase activity determined for a list of 3beta-hydroxysteroid substrates are similar (1 to 2 microM) and that of its isomerase activity, determined with 5-pregnen 3, 20-dione as a substrate, is 10 microM. The k(cat) value determined for its isomerase activity (18.2 min(-1)) is also higher than that for its dehydrogenase activity (1.4-2.4 min(-1)). A survey of more than 30 isoflavones and structurally related compounds revealed that daidzein, genistein, biochanin A and formononetin inhibit both the dehydrogenase and isomerase activity of this enzyme. Inhibition is potent and concentration dependent. IC(50) values determined for these compounds range from 0.4 to 11 microM, within the plasma and urine concentration ranges of daidzein and genistein of individuals on vegetarian diet or semi-vegetarian diet. These results suggest that dietary isoflavones may exert their biological effects by inhibiting the action of 3beta-HSD, a key enzyme of neurosteroid and/or steroid hormone biosynthesis.

Daidzin and its antidipsotropic analogs inhibit serotonin and dopamine metabolism in isolated mitochondria.

Daidzin, a major active principle of an ancient Chinese herbal treatment (Radix puerariae) for alcohol abuse, selectively suppresses ethanol intake in all rodent models tested. It also inhibits mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH-2). Studies on ethanol intake suppression and ALDH-2 inhibition by structural analogs of daidzin established a link between these two activities and suggested that daidzin may suppress ethanol intake by inhibiting ALDH-2. ALDH-2 is a principal enzyme involved in serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) metabolism. Thus, daidzin may act by inhibiting 5-HT and DA metabolism. To evaluate this possibility, we have studied the effect of daidzin and its analogs on 5-HT and DA metabolism in isolated hamster and rat liver mitochondria. Daidzin potently inhibits the formation of 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) from their respective amines in isolated mitochondria. Inhibition is concentration-dependent and is accompanied by a concomitant accumulation of 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetaldehyde and 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde. Daidzin analogs that suppress hamster ethanol intake also inhibit 5-HIAA and DOPAC formation. Comparing their effects on mitochondria-catalyzed 5-HIAA or DOPAC formation and hamster ethanol intake reveals a positive correlation-the stronger the inhibition on 5-HIAA or DOPAC formation, the greater the ethanol intake suppression. Daidzin and its active analogs, at concentrations that significantly inhibit 5-HIAA formation, have little or no effect on mitochondria-catalyzed 5-HT depletion. It appears that the antidipsotropic action of daidzin is not mediated by 5-HT (or DA) but rather by its reactive intermediates 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetaldehyde and, presumably, 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde as well, which accumulates in the presence of daidzin.

Kudzu root: an ancient Chinese source of modern antidipsotropic agents.

Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) is one of the earliest medicinal plants used in traditional Chinese medicine. It has many profound pharmacological actions including antidipsotropic (antialcohol abuse) activity. Although both the roots and flowers of kudzu, Radix and Flos puerariae, respectively, have been used to treat alcohol abuse safely and effectively in China for more than a millennium, their true efficacy, active constituents, sites and mechanisms of action have never been critically examined. Recently, we have demonstrated that a crude extract of Radix puerariae suppresses the free-choice ethanol intake of ethanol-preferring golden Syrian hamsters and have identified two of its isoflavones, daidzin and daidzein, that account for this effect. Since then, we and other investigators have confirmed these findings in rats that were either trained or genetically bred to prefer and consume large amounts of ethanol. This article summarizes recent progress on the pharmacological and biochemical studies of the antidipsotropic isoflavones isolated from Radix puerariae.

Class 2 aldehyde dehydrogenase. Characterization of the hamster enzyme, sensitive to daidzin and conserved within the family of multiple forms.

Mitochondrial (class 2) hamster aldehyde dehydrogenase has been purified and characterized. Its primary structure has been determined and correlated with the tertiary structure recently established for this class from another species. The protein is found to represent a constant class within a complex family of multiple forms. Variable segments that occur in different species correlate with non-functional segments, in the same manner as in the case of the constant class of alcohol dehydrogenases (class III type) of another protein family, but distinct from the pattern of the corresponding variable enzymes. Hence, in both these protein families, overall variability and segment architectures behave similarly, with at least one 'constant' form in each case, class III in the case of alcohol dehydrogenases, and at least class 2 in the case of aldehyde dehydrogenases.

Daidzein sulfoconjugates are potent inhibitors of sterol sulfatase (EC 3.1.6.2).

Recent studies have associated high dietary isoflavone intake with low incidence of breast cancer. Since estrogenic steroids are important factors in the evolution of breast cancer, and in breast tumors they are derived mainly from the sterol sulfatase pathway, we have therefore investigated effects of the isoflavone daidzein and its sulfoconjugates, daidzein-4'-O-sulfate and daidzein-7,4'-di-O-sulfate, on sterol sulfatase acitivity using dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate as substrate. While daidzein does not affect sterol sulfatase, its sulfoconjugates are potent inhibitors of this enzyme. Kinetic analyses reveal that daidzein-4'-O-sulfate and daidzein-7,4'-di-O-sulfate inhibit sterol sulfatase competitively with respect to the steroid substrate and with Ki values of 5.9 and 1 microM, respectively. Daidzein sulfo-conjugates also inhibit hydroxysteroid and phenol sulfotransferases but at much higher concentrations. These results provide a biochemical basis for the putative chemopreventive role of dietary isoflavones against breast cancer.

Daidzin inhibits mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase and suppresses ethanol intake of Syrian golden hamsters.

Daidzin is the major active principle in extracts of radix puerariae, a traditional Chinese medication that suppresses the ethanol intake of Syrian golden hamsters. It is the first isoflavone recognized to have this effect. Daidzin is also a potent and selective inhibitor of human mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH-2). To establish a link between these two activities, we have tested a series of synthetic structural analogs of daidzin. The results demonstrate a direct correlation between ALDH-2 inhibition and ethanol intake suppression and raise the possibility that daidzin may, in fact, suppress ethanol intake of golden hamsters by inhibiting ALDH-2. Hamster liver contains not only mitochondrial ALDH-2 but also high concentrations of a cytosolic form, ALDH-1, which is a very efficient catalyst of acetaldehyde oxidation. Further, the cytosolic isozyme is completely resistant to daidzin inhibition. This unusual property of the hamster ALDH-1 isozyme accounts for the fact we previously observed that daidzin can suppress ethanol intake of this species without blocking acetaldehyde metabolism. Thus, the mechanism by which daidzin suppresses ethanol intake in golden hamsters clearly differs from that proposed for the classic ALDH inhibitor disulfiram. We postulate that a physiological pathway catalyzed by ALDH-2, so far undefined, controls ethanol intake of golden hamsters and mediates the antidipsotropic effect of daidzin.

Daidzin decreases ethanol consumption in rats.

In a previous study, daidzin, a constituent of an ancient Chinese herbal treatment for alcoholism, decreased home-cage ethanol consumption in laboratory Syrian golden hamsters. The present study tested the generality of daidzin's antidipsotropic effects. Rats served as subjects in a two-lever choice procedure. At one lever, responses earned 10% ethanol, flavored with saccharin. At the other lever, responses earned an isocaloric starch solution. Daidzin decreased both ethanol and starch consumption, but the decreases in ethanol intake were larger. Changes in consumption were dose dependent, and differences in ethanol and food consumption increased slightly (but significantly) as dose increased. Daidzin produced a similar pattern of decreases in lever pressing. In baseline, there was an approximately equal distribution of responses between the two levers; at the highest daidzin dose, the relative number of responses at the ethanol lever decreased to 30%. These results replicate and extend earlier findings, and they encourage further research on daidzin's capacity to decrease ethanol consumption.

Isolation and characterization of three alcohol dehydrogenase isozymes from Syrian golden hamsters.

Electrophoresis of freshly prepared tissue homogenates of the Syrian golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) on starch gel followed by activity staining with ethanol as the substrate revealed three major alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) isozymes. One of these isozymes, TT-ADH, found only in the testes of golden hamsters was previously purified and partially characterized (Keung WM: Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 156:38-45, 1988). The other two, AA- and BB-ADH, which are most abundant in the liver, have now been purified by affinity chromatography on 4-(3-(N-(6-aminocaproyl)amino)propyl)pyrazole-sepharose and testosterone-17 beta-hemisuccinate-agarose. Hamster AA-, BB-, and TT-ADH are all homodimers of molecular weight near 80,000 and each contains 4 atoms of zinc. Amino acid analyses show that BB-ADH is most closely related to the gamma-form of human class I ADH, whereas AA- and TT-ADH are most closely related to the beta-form of the human enzyme. BB-ADH is the only hamster ADH that is active toward sterols and sensitive to testosterone and isoflavone inhibition. These results suggest that hamster BB- and human gamma gamma-ADH also share similar catalytic properties. AA- and TT-ADH are neither active toward sterols nor sensitive to testosterone or isoflavone inhibition; thus, they are functionally different from the human alpha alpha- or gamma gamma-ADHs. Compared with AA- and BB-ADH, TT-ADH exhibits much higher Km values toward primary aliphatic alcohols and cyclohexanol. AA- and BB-ADH share similar substrate specificities toward primary aliphatic alcohols. However, they exhibit different stereospecificities for secondary alcohols. BB-ADH prefers the (R)-(-)-isomer of 2-butanol, whereas AA-ADH prefers the (S)-(-)-isomer. These results further demonstrate that catalytically, hamster BB- and AA-ADH belong to different subfamilies of class I ADH.

Possible role of liver cytosolic and mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenases in acetaldehyde metabolism.

To provide a molecular basis for understanding the possible mechanism of action of antidipsotropic agents in laboratory animals, aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) isozymes were purified and characterized from the livers of hamsters and rats and compared with those from humans. The mitochondrial ALDHs from these species exhibit virtually identical kinetic properties in the oxidation and hydrolysis reactions. However, the cytosolic ALDH of human origin differs significantly from those of the rodents. Thus, for human ALDH-1, the Km value for acetaldehyde is 180 +/- 10 micromolar, whereas those for hamster ALDH-1 and rat ALDH-1 are 12 +/- 3 and 15 +/- 3 micromolar, respectively. Km values determined at pH 9.5 are virtually identical to those measured at pH 7.5. In vitro human ALDH-1 is 10 times less sensitive to disulfiram inhibition than are the hamster and rat cytosolic ALDHs. Competition between acetaldehyde and aromatic aldehydes or naphthaldehydes for the binding and catalytic sites of ALDHs shows their topography to be complex with more than one binding site. This also follows from data on substrate inhibition and activation, effects of NAD+ on ALDH-catalyzed hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl esters, substrate specificity toward aldehydes and p-nitrophenyl esters, and inhibition by disulfiram in relation to oxidation and hydrolysis catalyzed by the ALDHs. The data further suggest that acetaldehyde cannot be considered as a "standard" ALDH substrate for studies aimed at aromatic ALDH substrates, e.g. biogenic aldehydes. Apparently, in human liver, only mitochondrial ALDH oxidizes acetaldehyde at physiological concentrations, whereas in hamster or rat liver, both the mitochondrial and cytosolic isozymes will do so.

Potentiation of the bioavailability of daidzin by an extract of Radix puerariae.

The dose effect of pure daidzin on the suppression of ethanol intake in Syrian golden hamsters was compared with that of crude daidzin contained in a methanol extract of Radix puerariae (RP). EC50 values estimated from the graded dose-response curves for pure daidzin and RP extract daidzin are 23 and 2.3 mg per hamster per day, respectively. Apparently the antidipsotropic activity of the RP extract cannot be accounted for solely by its daidzin content (22 mg/g). In addition to daidzin, six other isoflavones were identified in the RP extract and quantified--namely, puerarin (160 mg per g of extract), genistin (3.7 mg/g), daidzein (2.6 mg/g), daidzein-4',7-diglucoside (1.2 mg/g), genistein (0.2 mg/g), and formononetin (0.16 mg/g). None of these, administered either alone or combined, contributes in any significant way to the antidipsotropic activity of the extract. Plasma daidzin concentration-time curves determined in hamsters administered various doses of pure daidzin or RP extract by i.p.injection indicate that the crude extract daidzin has approximately 10 times greater bioavailability than the pure compound. Reconstruction of the dose-response effects for pure and crude daidzin using bioavailable daidzin rather than administered dose gives a single curve. Synthetic daidzin added to the RP extract acquires the bioavailability of the endogenous daidzin that exists naturally in the extract. These results show that (i) daidzin is the major active principle in methanol extracts of RP, and (ii) additional constituents in the methanol extract of RP assist uptake of daidzin in golden hamsters.

Dietary estrogenic isoflavones are potent inhibitors of beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase of P. testosteronii.

The isoflavones daidzein, genistein, biochanin A and formononetin selectively inhibit the gamma-isozymes of mammalian alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). Since gamma-ADH is the only ADH isoform that catalyzes 3 beta-hydroxysteroid oxidation, it was conjectured that these isoflavones might also inhibit other enzymes involved in 3 beta-hydroxysteroid metabolism. P. testosteronii beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (beta-HSD) was used to evaluate this hypothesis. Indeed, all isoflavones that inhibit gamma-ADH were found to be potent inhibitors of beta-HSD. Both the 3 beta- and 17 beta-HSD activities of the enzyme are inhibited. Kinetic analyses with pregnenolone (3-beta-OH) and testosterone (17-beta-OH) as substrates reveal that daidzein and genistein inhibit beta-HSD competitively with respect to the sterol substrates. Their Ki values are very similar and range from 0.013 to 0.02 microM. These results suggest that isoflavones may exert some of their biological effects by modulating activities of enzymes that metabolize steroids critical to hormonal and/or neuronal functions.

Daidzin suppresses ethanol consumption by Syrian golden hamsters without blocking acetaldehyde metabolism.

Daidzin is a potent, selective, and reversible inhibitor of human mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) that suppresses free-choice ethanol intake by Syrian golden hamsters. Other ALDH inhibitors, such as disulfiram (Antabuse) and calcium citrate carbimide (Temposil), have also been shown to suppress ethanol intake of laboratory animals and are thought to act by inhibiting the metabolism of acetaldehyde produced from ingested ethanol. To determine whether or not daidzin inhibits acetaldehyde metabolism in vivo, plasma acetaldehyde in daidzin-treated hamsters was measured after the administration of a test dose of ethanol. Daidzin treatment (150 mg/kg per day i.p. for 6 days) significantly suppresses (> 70%) hamster ethanol intake but does not affect overall acetaldehyde metabolism. In contrast, after administration of the same ethanol dose, plasma acetaldehyde concentration in disulfiram-treated hamsters reaches 0.9 mM, 70 times higher than that of the control. In vitro, daidzin suppresses hamster liver mitochondria-catalyzed acetaldehyde oxidation very potently with an IC50 value of 0.4 microM, which is substantially lower than the daidzin concentration (70 microM) found in the liver mitochondria of daidzin-treated hamsters. These results indicate that (i) the action of daidzin differs from that proposed for the classic, broad-acting ALDH inhibitors (e.g., disulfiram), and (ii) the daidzin-sensitive mitochondrial ALDH is not the one and only enzyme that is essential for acetaldehyde metabolism in golden hamsters.

Rabbit liver class III alcohol dehydrogenase: a cathodic isoform with formaldehyde dehydrogenase activity.

Electrophoresis of rabbit liver homogenate on starch gel followed by activity staining revealed multiple forms of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) which, based on their electrophoretic mobilities, had been tentatively labeled as class "I," class "II," and class "III" ADHs. The class II enzyme has now been purified to homogeneity by ion exchange and affinity chromatography and, except for an isoelectric point of 7.7, closely resembles human class III ADH. It is a homodimer of molecular weight near 80,000 with a similar amino acid composition and comparable kinetic parameters for the oxidation of primary alcohols. Like the rat, human, and Escherichia coli class III ADHs, the rabbit enzyme is a glutathione-dependent formaldehyde dehydrogenase, and catalyzes the oxidation of S-hydroxymethylglutathione and the hemithiolacetal of 8-thiooctanoic acid. Ethanol up to 3 M does not saturate the enzyme, whereas longer chain primary alcohols exhibit Michaelis-Menten kinetics.

Therapeutic lessons from traditional Oriental medicine to contemporary Occidental pharmacology.

An extract of Radix Puerariae (RP), an herb long used in traditional Chinese medicine for alcohol addiction and intoxication, was shown to suppress the free-choice ethanol intake of ethanol-preferring Syrian golden hamsters. Two isoflavones, diadzein (4',7-dihydroxyisoflavone) and daidzin (7-glucoside of daidzein), isolated from the extract were shown to account for this effect. Daidzin administered intraperitoneally at 150 mg/kg/day suppressed free-choice ethanol intake by > or = 50%. Such effect has been confirmed in a total of 79 consecutive hamsters studied over a period of more than a year. Daidzein was less potent and a higher dose (230 mg/kg/day) was required to produce similar effect. RP-, daidzin-, and daidzein-treated hamsters appeared to remain healthy and exhibited no significant change in body weight and water or food intake. In vitro, daidzin and daidzein inhibited human mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH-2) and gamma gamma-alcohol dehydrogenase (gamma gamma-ADH), respectively. However, at doses that suppressed ethanol intake, daidzin and daidzein had no effect on overall acetaldehyde and ethanol metabolism in hamsters. These findings clearly distinguish the action(s) of daidzin and daidzein from those of the classic, broad acting inhibitors of ALDH (e.g. disulfiram) and class I ADH isozymes (e.g. 4-methylpyrazole), and identify them as a new class of compounds that offer promise as safe and effective therapeutic agents for alcohol abuse.

Biochemical studies of a new class of alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitors from Radix puerariae.

Two potent, reversible inhibitors of human alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) isozymes were isolated from Radix puerariae (RP, commonly known as kudzu root) and identified as the isoflavones diadzein and genistein. The 4'-methoxy derivatives of daidzein (trivial name, formononetin) and genistein (biochanin A), minor constituents of RP, were also shown to be ADH inhibitors. All of these isoflavones inhibit the human gamma 2 gamma 2-ADH isozyme competitively with respect to ethanol and uncompetitively with respect to NAD+. A survey of more than 40 structurally related compounds revealed one more isoflavone (prunetin) and four flavones (7-hydroxyflavone, apigenin, galangin, and kaempferol) that inhibit ADH. The isoflavone inhibitors, however, are far more potent than the flavone inhibitors. Among the isoflavones studied, genistein is the most potent with Ki = 0.1 microM toward gamma 2 gamma 2-ADH. Human ADH isozymes differ in their sensitivity to these inhibitors in the order gamma 2 gamma 2-, gamma 1 gamma 1- > alpha alpha-, pi pi- > chi chi-ADH. These inhibitors do not affect the beta 1 beta 1- and beta 2 beta 2-ADH isozymes at concentrations as high as 20 microM. Rat and rabbit class I ADHs are also inhibited by these isoflavone inhibitors. The 7-O-glucosyl derivatives of daidzein, genistein, formononetin, and biochanin A do not inhibit ADH, but are potent aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitors.