Kudzu isoflavone C‐glycosides: Analysis, biological activities, and metabolism

Abstract

Radix Pueraria (the root of kudzu Pueraria lobota) is a popular traditional Chinese medicine used in dietary supplements in Western markets and has potential health benefits. Kudzu roots are rich in isoflavones C‐ and O‐glycosides, of which puerarin (daidzein 8‐C‐glucoside) is the most abundant isoflavone. Puerarin is a unique isoflavone that it is resistant to intestinal hydrolysis and has a wide range of effects in preventing metabolic diseases. Our previous studies indicate that chronic exposure to a diet enriched in puerarin significantly reduces serum total cholesterol, arterial blood pressure, insulin resistance and hyperglycemia in ovariectomized, stroke‐prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SP‐SHR), a model of metabolic syndrome. Further, our studies demonstrate that puerarin is absorbed as the intact glucoside and acutely improves glucose tolerance, indicating that it has potential for the prevention and treatment of diabetes. This paper reviews recent progress in the understanding of biological activities and metabolism and in the analysis of puerarin in kudzu root extracts or supplements.

Puerariae lobatae Radix: Progress in Extraction, Separation Methods and Pharmacological Activities Research

“…In recent years, there have been many review literature reports on kudzu root, mainly focusing on pharmacological activity, and there are relatively few summary reports on extraction and separation methods. Ma et al, Jiang et al, Wong et al, and Prasain et al [10][11][12][13] summarized the positive effects of the active ingredients in kudzu root, such as puerarin, daidzein, etc., in the treatment of metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes, and explained its mechanism of action. He et al [14] reviewed the protective effects of kudzu root flavonoids and triterpene saponins on the liver through different targeted therapy mechanisms, and summarized the therapeutic potential for different types of liver diseases.…”

Boosting the antimicrobial performance based on new fused spirothiazolidine framework analogs

“…The metabolic stability of S-and C-glycosides is also exploited in the generation of glycomimetic drugs resistant against in vivo hydrolysis. [44] The most popular strategy for treating diseases caused by resistant bacteria is antimicrobial therapy [45]. As a result, there is a lot of demand and benefit in the discovery of novel antimicrobial compounds [46,47].…”

Genistein Daidzein in Kudzu Root (Pueraria lobata) Extract Decreased Malondialdehyde Plasma Levels in Hypoestrogenic Rats

“…The kudzu root (Pueraria lobata) is one of Traditional Chinese Medicine's 50 essential herbs, and it has just been commercially accessible as a Western dietary supplement [9,10]. Kudzu root has been used for fever reduction, headache treatment, and other therapeutic uses [11].…”