Puerarin (PR)

Puerarin, one of several known isoflavones, is found in a number of plants and herbs, such as the root of Pueraria (Radix puerariae) notably of the kudzu plant. Puerarin is the 8-C-glucoside of daidzein, and is a 5-HT2C receptor and benzodiazepine site antagonist. Puerarin (PR),has been widely used as an ethno-medicine to treat hepatopathy in China. Data showed that the serum levels of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) were elevated following PR administration. In addition, the levels of endogenous CYP2E1, CYP1A2, and CYP3A proteins in liver tissue were also gradually decreased following PR treatment. Histopathological examinations suggested that alcohol-induced hepatocellular lesions were mitigated by PR treatment. Collectively, these data indicate that PR contributes to cytoprotection against alcohol-induced liver lesions through improving metabolic function.