Pharmacological Effects of Puerarin in Metabolic Disorders
Summary
Puerarin, an isoflavone derived from Pueraria lobata, has emerged as a bioactive agent with broad therapeutic potential in metabolic disorders. Preclinical studies demonstrate that puerarin exerts antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, ameliorating oxidative stress and chronic low-grade inflammation that underlie insulin resistance, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and obesity. By activating key metabolic regulators such as AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), puerarin enhances mitochondrial biogenesis and fatty acid oxidation in skeletal muscle, reduces lipid accumulation in adipose and hepatic tissues, and improves systemic glucose homeostasis. Additional mechanisms include the inhibition of pro-fibrotic TGF-β signalling in diabetic liver injury and modulation of lipid-transport proteins to prevent ectopic lipid deposition. Collectively, these actions position puerarin as a multifaceted candidate for the prevention and treatment of cardiometabolic diseases, with potential for translation through novel delivery systems and optimised formulations.
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Pharmacological Effects of Puerarin in Metabolic Disorders publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in pharmacological effects of puerarin in metabolic disorders across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK): a cellular energy sensor that promotes fatty acid oxidation and glucose uptake when activated by low energy states.
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ): a nuclear receptor that regulates adipocyte differentiation, lipid storage and insulin sensitivity.
Mitochondrial biogenesis: the process by which new mitochondria are formed, enhancing cellular capacity for oxidative metabolism.
Hepatic steatosis: the accumulation of triglycerides in liver cells, commonly referred to as fatty liver disease.
TGF-β signalling: a pathway involving transforming growth factor-beta that can drive fibrosis and tissue remodelling in chronic disease states.
NF-κB pathway: a transcriptional cascade that orchestrates inflammatory responses and is often overactivated in metabolic inflammation.
References
- Pharmacokinetics and drug delivery systems for puerarin, a bioactive flavone from traditional Chinese medicine. Drug Delivery (2019).
- Pharmacological Activity, Pharmacokinetics, and Clinical Research Progress of Puerarin. Antioxidants (2022).
- Effect of puerarin in promoting fatty acid oxidation by increasing mitochondrial oxidative capacity and biogenesis in skeletal muscle in diabetic rats. Nutrition & Diabetes (2018).
- Puerarin Mitigates Diabetic Hepatic Steatosis and Fibrosis by Inhibiting TGF‐β Signaling Pathway Activation in Type 2 Diabetic Rats. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity (2018).
- Effects of Puerarin on Lipid Accumulation and Metabolism in High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice. PLOS ONE (2015).
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