Puerarin Efficacy in Osteoporosis Treatment
Summary
Puerarin, an isoflavone glycoside derived principally from the root of Pueraria lobata, has emerged as a promising natural agent for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Its dual action encompasses stimulation of osteoblast proliferation and differentiation alongside inhibition of osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption. Mechanistically, puerarin exhibits phytoestrogenic activity, binding oestrogen receptors to mimic hormonal support of bone matrix synthesis while activating intracellular kinases—such as ERK, PI3K/Akt and Wnt/β-catenin pathways—to promote osteogenic gene expression. Concurrently, it suppresses pro-resorptive signals driven by RANKL and modulates autophagic processes within osteoclast precursors, thereby reducing excessive osteoclast formation. In animal models of oestrogen deficiency, puerarin administration has mitigated bone mineral density loss, restored trabecular architecture and normalised serum markers of bone turnover without inducing uterotrophic side effects. Translational interest rests on its potential to complement or substitute conventional hormone replacement and anti-resorptive therapies, with an attractive safety profile and global applicability in postmenopausal populations at risk of fragility fractures.
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Puerarin Efficacy in Osteoporosis Treatment publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in puerarin efficacy in osteoporosis treatment across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Puerarin: A naturally occurring isoflavone glycoside extracted from Pueraria species, noted for oestrogen-like and bone-protective activities.
Osteoblast: Bone-forming cell responsible for synthesis of collagen matrix and mineral deposition during bone remodelling.
Osteoclast: Multinucleated cell derived from monocyte/macrophage lineage that degrades bone matrix through acidification and proteolytic enzymes.
RANKL: Receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand, a pivotal cytokine required for osteoclast differentiation and activation.
Phytoestrogen: Plant-derived compound capable of binding oestrogen receptors and exerting weak oestrogenic or anti-oestrogenic effects.
Bone mineral density (BMD): Quantitative measure of mineral content in bone tissue, used clinically to assess fracture risk and osteoporosis severity.
References
- Ameliorative effects of Kyung-Ok-Ko and its mixture with Pueraria lobata Ohwi on postmenopausal osteoporosis by promoting phytoestrogenic activity in rats. Frontiers in Nutrition (2023).
- A mixture of Pueraria lobata and Platycodon grandiflorum extracts ameliorates RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation and ovariectomy-induced bone loss by regulating Src- PI3K-AKT and JNK/p38 signaling pathways. Heliyon (2024).
- Puerarin inhibits the osteoclastogenesis by inhibiting RANKL-dependent and –independent autophagic responses. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2019).
- Puerarin-an isoflavone with beneficial effects on bone health.. Frontiers in Bioscience-Landmark (2021).
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