Open AccessKudzu isoflavone C‐glycosides: Analysis, biological activities, and metabolism
Author(s) -
Prasain Jeevan K.,
Barnes Stephen,
Wyss J. Michael
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
food frontiers
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2643-8429
DOI - 10.1002/fft2.105
Subject(s) - puerarin , kudzu , pueraria , isoflavones , insulin resistance , glycoside , daidzein , daidzin , traditional medicine , medicine , metabolic syndrome , ovariectomized rat , diabetes mellitus , chemistry , pharmacology , biology , traditional chinese medicine , botany , endocrinology , genistein , estrogen , alternative medicine , pathology
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.