A Review of the Effects of Puerarin on Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in Metabolic Syndrome: Mechanisms and Opportunities

Abstract

Chronic diseases, including metabolic syndrome related to sugar and lipid metabolic disorders, are the leading causes of premature death around the world. Novel treatment strategies without undesirable effects are urgently needed. As a natural functional ingredient, puerarin is a promising alternative for the treatment of sugar and lipid metabolic disorders. However, the applications of puerarin are limited due to its poor solubility and short half-life. Various drug delivery systems have been investigated to improve the bioavailability of puerarin. This review summarizes the mechanisms involved in the beneficial action of puerarin: suppressing the release of glucose and FFA; regulating the transport of glucose and fatty acids; acting on the PI3K–Akt and AMPK signaling pathways to decrease the synthesis of glucose and fatty acids; acting on the PPAR signaling pathway to promote β-oxidation; and improving insulin secretion and sensitivity. In addition, the preparation technologies used to improve the bioavailability of puerarin are also summarized in this review, in the hope of helping to promote the application of puerarin.

Benefits of Puerarin on Metabolic Syndrome and Its Associated Cardiovascular Diseases in Rats Fed a High-Fat/High-Sucrose Diet

“…In recent years, numerous studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of PUE on the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism [12,13]. A review indicates that PUE is effective in mitigating the initiation and progression of various diseases, including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, cardiac ischemia, cardiac arrhythmia, cardiac hypertrophy, ischemic stroke, and cognition decline, by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation [12].…”

“…However, dietary supplementation with PUE ameliorated these alterations induced by the HFHS diet. A review has summarized the mechanisms by which PUE regulates glucose and lipid metabolism both in vivo and vitro [13]. These…”

“…However, dietary supplementation with PUE ameliorated these alterations induced by the HFHS diet. A review has summarized the mechanisms by which PUE regulates glucose and lipid metabolism both in vivo and vitro [13]. These mechanisms include inhibiting the release of glucose and free fatty acid (FFA), modulating the transport of glucose and fatty acid (FA), reducing the synthesis of glucose and FA, promoting βoxidation, enhancing insulin secretion and sensitivity, and alleviating oxidative stress and inflammatory responses.…”

“…Puerarin (PUE), the principal active compound of the plant, exhibits a range of biological activities [11]. Numerous basic research and clinical trials have revealed that PUE plays a regulatory role in glucose and lipid metabolism and has the ability to mitigate oxidative stress and inflammation [12,13]. PUE is recognized as a safe and effective treatment for diabetes as well as CVDs such as coronary heart disease, arrhythmia, hypertension, and cerebral ischemia [14][15][16][17].…”