Kudzu (Pueraria mirifica/lobata), known as Radix Puerariae, is the dried root of the leguminous Pueraria lobata plant. The tea of Radix Puerariae was first recorded in the Chinese materia medica Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Pharmacopeia of Shen Nong, ~200 BC) and used as an antipyretic, antidiarrhetic, diaphoretic, and antiemetic agent.

Over the centuries it has been used to treat alcoholism, hangover, gastric distress, high blood pressure and other circulatory problems, colds, flu, diabetes, skin rashes, kidney disease and diabetic retinopathy to name a few. It has been used in Thai folklore medicine for its rejuvenating qualities in aged women and men for nearly one hundred years.

Kudzu is used traditionally for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. The major isoflavone in kudzu is puerarin, which is the C8-glucoside of daidzein. Puerarin is metabolized to daidzein by intestinal bacteria.¹

As early as 1000 years ago, Radix Pueraiae was used to treat alcohol-related problems, such as alcohol intoxication (Sun Simiao, ~ 600 AD) and alcohol abuse (Li Dongyuan, ~ 1200 AD). Radix Pueraiae has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of fevers, gastrointestinal disorders, muscle aches, allergies, skin problems, high blood pressure, and chronic alcoholism (Abascal and Yarnell, 2007; Lee, Lee, and Jeong, 1999). Increasing evidence shows that Radix Pueraiae may be beneficial for the treatment of alcohol abuse. A crude extract of Radix Pueraiae that included two major constituents, daidzein and daidzin, significantly suppressed free-choice ethanol intake in Golden hamsters (Keung and Vallee, 1993a). Daidzin is a potent, selective, and reversible inhibitor of mitochondrial acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH-2), which is essential for the oxidation of acetaldehyde derived from ethanol metabolism (Keung and Vallee, 1993b). Daidzin suppressed ethanol intake in hamsters by inhibiting the formation of its reactive intermediates 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid from the metabolism of respective amines (Keung and Vallee, 1998). Puerarin, one of the major constituents of Radix Pueraiae, reduced ethanol intake in alcohol-preferring rats (Benlhabib, Baker, Keyler, and Singh, 2004). Puerarin from kudzu roots inhibited addiction-related abnormalities. Polyenylphosphatidylcholine from soy and curcumin from turmeric suppressed inflammation-related abnormalities in alcohol-drinking rats that were subjected to lipopolysaccharide-induced pleurisy, suggesting that a mixture of Puerarin and either polyenylphosphatidylcholine or curcumin may be a therapeutic alternative for alcohol-related disorders (Singh, Jiang, Benlhabib, and Gupta, 2007). Treatment with Radix Pueraiae dose dependently inhibited the alcohol-induced suppression of Fos expression in the hippocampus, suggesting that Radix Pueraiae may alleviate the alcohol-induced disruption of hippocampal function (Jang et al., 2003). Radix Pueraiae also increased the number of bromodeoxyuridine- and NADPH-d-positive cells that was decreased by alcohol administration (Jang et al., 2002). Pretreatment with puerarin reversed the changes in GABAA receptor expression and increased ADH activity in alcoholism models (Zhang, Li, et al., 2010). Moreover, the number of neurons decreased in the hippocampal dentate gyrus in puerarin-treated mice. Puerarin treatment decreased glutamate and GABA levels and increased glutamate, GABA, tumor necrosis factor α, and interleukin 1β levels in mice that were subjected to chronic alcohol poisoning, reflecting normalization of these neurotransmitters and immune factors (Cui et al., 2015). Both puerarin and daidzein have high affinity for benzodiazepine receptors and inhibit [3H]flunitrazepam binding to membranes in the cortex, cerebellum, and hippocampus (Shen, Witt, Nielsen, & Sterner, 1996).²

Menopausal Symptoms and Women’s Health

Kudzu extract may be applicable for preventing, or as a therapeutic for the symptoms related to, estrogen deficiency in menopausal women. Studies on kudzu have shown not only does it relieve the usual night sweats and hot flashes, it helps to prevent bone loss and it has been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer. Recently, kudzu has been used to relieve the symptoms of menopause.³

Efficacy and Safety of Pueraria mirifica for the Treatment of Vasomotor Symptoms in Perimenopausal Women: Phase II Study

Pre- and post-menopausal women with vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats. Other unpleasant symptoms, urogenital and psychological symptoms, were also evaluated.

Patients were enrolled voluntarily and randomly received 50 mg or 100 mg of Pueraria mirifica in capsules, once daily for six months.

Of the 48 enrolled patients, 11 cases were excluded for failing to complete the initial work-up. Thirty-seven cases were evaluated. 20 of 37 (54.1%) randomly received a dose of 50 mg/day of Pueraria mirifica (Group A), and 17 of 37 (45.9%) received 100 mg/day of Pueraria mirifica (Group B). The mean of the modified Greene climacteric scale decreased from 35.6 to 26.6, 17.2 and 15.1 in group A, while group B, declined from 32.6 to 21.0, 14.8 and 13.6 at 1-, 3- and 6-month respectively. The mean serum estradiol, fluctuated from the baseline of 76.6 to 55.4, 56.7, 72.5, 69.2, 114.2 and 74.5 pg/ml at 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5- and 6-month respectively. Whereas the mean serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)/luteinizing hormone (LH) was stable in the range of; 27.1/12.6, 28.3/12.9 and 22.5/11.4 mIU/ml at baseline, 3- and 6-month respectively.

Pueraria mirifica, containing phytoestrogens, relatively alleviated the climacteric symptoms in perimenopausal women. The transient negative profiles occurred in a small number of subjects that included anemia, and liver profiles. While there was a slight decrease in lipoproteins and an increase in hormonal profiles, Pueraria mirifica demonstrates great promise in the treatment of climacteric symptoms among perimenopausal women. However, optimal doses should be clinically assessed, to meet appropriate individual responses.⁴

In a study by a government agency in Thailand, a group of women were given Kudzu and another group received (prescription) conjugated estrogens. At the end of the study it was concluded that there was no difference in the hormone levels of the groups. The study concluded that Kudzu was able to relieve menopausal symptoms without the dangerous side effects of estrogen.⁵

A more recent study, published in 2007, found taking kudzu extract in capsule form daily for 24 weeks helped alleviate vaginal dryness in postmenopausal women.⁶

Tuberosin: A Phytoalexin with Antiestrogen Properties for Breast Cancer

Tuberosin is a pterocarpan phytoalexin primarily found in kudzu root that can be significantly increased through environmental stress methods such as ultraviolet C (UVC) radiation and fungal elicitation with Myrothecium verrucaria. A groundbreaking 2025 study published in the Journal of Natural Products (J. Nat. Prod. 2025, 88, 1568-1580) investigated tuberosin’s effects on estrogen receptors and breast cancer cells, revealing important therapeutic implications.

The research demonstrated that tuberosin exhibits cell-type-dependent estrogenic activity, functioning as an antagonist and competitive inhibitor when combined with 17-β-estradiol in ER-positive breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and T-47D). Tuberosin was shown to modulate ER pathways, alter ER-mediated gene expression, and bind to the ERα receptor pocket in a similar but weaker manner compared to synthetic estrogen. Notably, unlike constitutive kudzu isoflavones such as daidzein and genistein, which display mixed estrogenic and antiestrogenic effects, tuberosin demonstrates significant antiestrogenic effects on ER signaling in breast cancer cells.

Additionally, tuberosin suppressed vascular network assembly and maturation in endothelial cells without affecting cellular proliferative capacity—a critical finding since tumor angiogenesis is essential for cancer growth and metastasis. The researchers concluded that tuberosin warrants further investigation as an antiestrogen for breast cancer treatment. This study adds to the growing body of evidence that stress-induced phytoalexins from legumes, such as glyceollins from soy and pisatin from peas, may possess superior anticancer properties compared to constitutive isoflavones, offering a promising avenue for natural cancer therapeutics.¹³

Metabolic Syndrome

Animal research published in 2009 indicates that kudzu may help manage metabolic syndrome, a condition marked by a cluster of health problems (including excess belly fat, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and insulin resistance) that are known to raise your risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.⁷

Bone Health

Six-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats each were subjected to ovariectomized (OVX) or sham surgery and treated orally once daily with herbal extracts or vehicles. Body weight was recorded weekly, and blood samples were collected from fasting animals at different time points. Biochemical markers of bone resorption and cartilage degradation were analyzed. Changes in bone mineral density and calcium content were determined in the femoral center and femoral telocentric end of rats. Out of 56 TCM herbs/roots extracts, only kudzu root demonstrated consistent joint protective effects. OVX resulted in a marked increase in bone resorption and cartilage degradation, which could be significantly reversed by kudzu after three weeks of treatment. Compared to vehicles, kudzu induced a significant increase in bone mineral density in the femoral center and femoral telocentric end, and calcium content. The results show that kudzu exerts direct effects on articular cartilage in the OVX rat and can effectively prevent the acceleration of cartilage degradation induced by ovariectomy. Moreover, kudzu has demonstrated positive effects on metabolic health (cause a weight reduction) and may represent a possible treatment for OP and OA with high body mass index.⁸

Headache and Migraine Relief

In a 2009 study of 16 people who had reported using kudzu to treat a cluster headache, researchers determined that kudzu may help decrease the frequency, duration, and intensity of attacks, with minimal side effects.⁹

A Root-Based Combination Supplement Containing Pueraria lobata and Rehmannia glutinosa and Exercise Preserve Bone Mass in Ovariectomized Rats Fed a High-Fat Diet

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a supplement containing Pueraria lobata/Rehmannia glutinosa (PR) root extracts on bone turnover in ovariectomized (OVX) rats (a model for postmenopausal osteoporosis). Female Sprague-Dawley rats (8 weeks old) were randomized into eight groups: sham-operated rats with low-fat control diet + vehicle, OVX rats with low-fat control diet + vehicle, OVX rats with high-fat diet (HFD) + vehicle, OVX rats with HFD + vehicle + exercise, OVX rats with HFD + PR (400 mg/kg body weight/day p.o.), OVX rats with HFD + PR + exercise, OVX rats with HFD + 17β-estradiol (0.5 mg/kg body weight/day p.o.), OVX rats with HFD + 17β-estradiol + exercise. Bone microarchitecture, bone turnover markers (e.g., plasma alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin), expressions of osteogenic and resorptive gene markers in the bone were measured. Eight weeks of PR and/or aerobic exercise improved cortical microarchitecture of the femur and decreased markers of bone turnover and expression of skeletal osteoclastogenic genes in the femur. PR supplementation combined with exercise preserved bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency and should be investigated further as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy for preventing osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.¹⁰

Yufeng Ningxin Tablet (YNT) for Migraine Treatment

Yufeng Ningxin Tablet (YNT) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula that has been used clinically to treat migraines for many years. It is composed of one herb Pueraria lobata. It was to explore the effect and mechanism of YNT on migraine based on network pharmacology and experimental verification.

Materials and methods: First, with the network pharmacology, the effective chemical components and target genes of YNT were filtered, the YNT-compound-migraine-targets network was constructed. The protein-protein interaction network (PPI) and literature reports were combined to identify potential targets of YNT in the treatment of migraine. Then, the representative compounds of YNT were characterized by LC-MS/MS and the major effect components were identified. Finally, the prediction results of network pharmacology were verified by animal and cell experiments.

Results: Seven bioactive components of YNT could act on 97 migraine potential targets. The five bioactive components could be characterized comprehensively of YNT. The key therapeutic targets and pathways were collected including 5-HT, CGRP, inflammation and nociceptive factors, and NF-κB signaling pathway. Animal experiments and in vitro studies confirmed the potential of YNT in migraine treatment through network pharmacology and in vitro and in vivo experiments.

Conclusions: It is the first time to verify the consistency between the metabolic components of YNT by LC-MS/MS and the active components predicted by network pharmacology. Meanwhile, the potential mechanism of YNT in the treatment of migraine was studied by combining network pharmacology and in vitro and in vivo experiments.¹¹

Puerarin ameliorates cognitive deficits in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Previous research has indicated that diabetes is a high risk of learning and memory deficits. Puerarin, an isoflavonoid extracted from Kudzu roots, has been reported to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and anti-diabetic properties which are useful in the treatment of various diseases. Recently, Puerarin was found to have effects on learning and memory performance in humans and animal models. However, up to now, there is no detailed evidence on the effect of Puerarin on diabetes-associated cognitive decline (DACD). In this study, we designed to assess the effects of Puerarin on diabetes-associated cognitive decline (DACD) using a streptozotocin (STZ)-injected rat model and exploring its potential mechanism. Diabetic rats were treated with Puerarin (100 mg/kg per d) for 7 days. The learning and memory function was evaluated by the Morris water maze test. The acetylcholinesterase (AChE), choline acetylase (ChAT), oxidative indicators [malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)] and inflammatory cytokine (TNF-a, IL-1β and IL-6) were measured in hippocampus by using corresponding commercial kits. mRNA and Protein levels of Bcl-2 were analyzed by RT-PCR and Westernblot. The results showed that supplementation of Puerarin improved the learning and memory performances compared with the STZ group by the morris water maze test. In addition, Puerarin supplement significantly prevented AChE and MDA activities, increased ChAT and SOD activities, and alleviated the protein level of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in the hippocampus compared with the STZ group. Moreover, the pretreatment with Puerarin also significantly increased the Bcl-2 expression. It is concluded that Puerarin possesses neuroprotection to ameliorate cognitive deficits in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiapototic effects.¹²

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