Unveiling the power of Pueraria lobata: a comprehensive exploration of its medicinal and edible potentials
BackgroundPueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi, a perennial vine native to China, has significant medicinal and edible value. Its roots are used as medicine and are known as kudzu (Chinese: Gegen) and were first recorded in Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing. In addition, its roots and powder can be made into food.Aim...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Pharmacology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1578472/full |
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| author | Baixin Kou Lingkun Meng Mengya Zhao Haidong Wang Chunyang Lu Mingming Yan Mingming Yan Guangzhe Li |
| author_facet | Baixin Kou Lingkun Meng Mengya Zhao Haidong Wang Chunyang Lu Mingming Yan Mingming Yan Guangzhe Li |
| author_sort | Baixin Kou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundPueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi, a perennial vine native to China, has significant medicinal and edible value. Its roots are used as medicine and are known as kudzu (Chinese: Gegen) and were first recorded in Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing. In addition, its roots and powder can be made into food.Aim of the studyTo integrate information on the source of Pueraria lobata (PL), summarize the evolution of its medicinal and edible value, and generalize its chemical composition, biosynthetic pathways, metabolism, and biological activity.Materials and MethodsA comprehensive literature search (1975–2025) was conducted across ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, WFO (www.worldfloraonline.org), MPNS (https://mpsn.kew.org), Changchun University of Chinese Medicine Library collections, and SciFinder. Ancient applications were validated through analysis of classic Chinese medical literature.ResultsPL is predominantly found in Asia, Europe, and America, with significant populations in China’s Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Jiangsu, Guangdong, and Guangxi provinces. The plant comprises flavonoids, triterpenoids, and coumarins, including isoflavonoids like daidzein and puerarin, which are synthesized via diverse pathways. Metabolites produced from liver or intestinal reactions are crucial to PL’s effectiveness. Key components include puerarin, daidzein, genistein, biochanin A, and formononetin. In China, PL is incredibly versatile, being used in a wide range of foods, teas, preservatives, dairy products, etc.ConclusionIts extensive biological activities benefit the human body, with particular emphasis on liver protection, anti-osteoporosis, and anti-diabetic effects. These attributes highlight the potential for developing health foods, revealing PL’s promising prospects in the pharmaceuticals and nutritional healthcare industries. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a337be052bb843eaa26e23a1d8b48a7d |
| institution | Matheson Library |
| issn | 1663-9812 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Pharmacology |
| spelling | doaj-art-a337be052bb843eaa26e23a1d8b48a7d2025-07-10T05:29:49ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pharmacology1663-98122025-07-011610.3389/fphar.2025.15784721578472Unveiling the power of Pueraria lobata: a comprehensive exploration of its medicinal and edible potentialsBaixin Kou0Lingkun Meng1Mengya Zhao2Haidong Wang3Chunyang Lu4Mingming Yan5Mingming Yan6Guangzhe Li7School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, ChinaSchool of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, ChinaJilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, ChinaJilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, ChinaSchool of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, ChinaJilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, ChinaJilin Provincial Science and Technology Innovation Center of Health Food of Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, ChinaSchool of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, ChinaBackgroundPueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi, a perennial vine native to China, has significant medicinal and edible value. Its roots are used as medicine and are known as kudzu (Chinese: Gegen) and were first recorded in Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing. In addition, its roots and powder can be made into food.Aim of the studyTo integrate information on the source of Pueraria lobata (PL), summarize the evolution of its medicinal and edible value, and generalize its chemical composition, biosynthetic pathways, metabolism, and biological activity.Materials and MethodsA comprehensive literature search (1975–2025) was conducted across ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, WFO (www.worldfloraonline.org), MPNS (https://mpsn.kew.org), Changchun University of Chinese Medicine Library collections, and SciFinder. Ancient applications were validated through analysis of classic Chinese medical literature.ResultsPL is predominantly found in Asia, Europe, and America, with significant populations in China’s Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Jiangsu, Guangdong, and Guangxi provinces. The plant comprises flavonoids, triterpenoids, and coumarins, including isoflavonoids like daidzein and puerarin, which are synthesized via diverse pathways. Metabolites produced from liver or intestinal reactions are crucial to PL’s effectiveness. Key components include puerarin, daidzein, genistein, biochanin A, and formononetin. In China, PL is incredibly versatile, being used in a wide range of foods, teas, preservatives, dairy products, etc.ConclusionIts extensive biological activities benefit the human body, with particular emphasis on liver protection, anti-osteoporosis, and anti-diabetic effects. These attributes highlight the potential for developing health foods, revealing PL’s promising prospects in the pharmaceuticals and nutritional healthcare industries.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1578472/fullPueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwiherbal textual researchphytochemistrypharmacologyedibilitypuerarin |
| spellingShingle | Baixin Kou Lingkun Meng Mengya Zhao Haidong Wang Chunyang Lu Mingming Yan Mingming Yan Guangzhe Li Unveiling the power of Pueraria lobata: a comprehensive exploration of its medicinal and edible potentials Frontiers in Pharmacology Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi herbal textual research phytochemistry pharmacology edibility puerarin |
| title | Unveiling the power of Pueraria lobata: a comprehensive exploration of its medicinal and edible potentials |
| title_full | Unveiling the power of Pueraria lobata: a comprehensive exploration of its medicinal and edible potentials |
| title_fullStr | Unveiling the power of Pueraria lobata: a comprehensive exploration of its medicinal and edible potentials |
| title_full_unstemmed | Unveiling the power of Pueraria lobata: a comprehensive exploration of its medicinal and edible potentials |
| title_short | Unveiling the power of Pueraria lobata: a comprehensive exploration of its medicinal and edible potentials |
| title_sort | unveiling the power of pueraria lobata a comprehensive exploration of its medicinal and edible potentials |
| topic | Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi herbal textual research phytochemistry pharmacology edibility puerarin |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1578472/full |
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