Catalyzes the NADPH-dependent reduction of a wide variety of carbonyl-containing compounds to their corresponding alcohols. Displays enzymatic activity towards endogenous metabolites such as aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes, ketones, monosaccharides and bile acids. Acts as an aldehyde-detoxification enzyme (By similarity). Displays no reductase activity towards retinoids (By similarity). a primary alcohol + NADP(+) = an aldehyde + H(+) + NADPH Belongs to the aldo/keto reductase family.