Fermented peel of Citrus sunki Hort. ex Tanaka promotes ethanol metabolism and suppresses body fat accumulation

Citrus sunki Hort. ex Tanaka is one of several Jeju-native citrus fruits. A number of biological properties for citrus fruits have been suggested, however little is known about those of C. sunki. The present study tested whether fermented product of C. sunki peel (FSP) might affect the activities of enzymes regulating ethanol metabolism. Effects on body weight gain as well as on fatty liver formation were also investigated. The activities of alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase were stimulated remarkably by FSP. Excessive ethanol-induced cytotoxicity was also prevented by FSP in HepG2 cells. FSP decreased the weight gain and fatty liver formation induced by a high-fat diet in mice. From these results, FSP might be a potent source of neutraceuticals useful for preventing ethanol-induced health problems.