Abstract
Kudzu (Pueraria thunbergiana Benth.) has long been used as a food and medicine for many centuries. The root is the most commonly used portion of the plant, but the aerial parts are occasionally used as well. In this study, we investigated the constituent compounds and biological activities of the aerial parts, leaves, stems, and sprouts, and compared their constituents and activities with those of roots. Leaf extract showed a significantly higher TPC level at 59 ± 1.6 mg/g and lower free radical scavenging (FRS) values under 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), and NO inhibition at 437 ± 11, 121 ± 6.6 μg/mL and 107 ± 4.9 μg/mL, respectively, than those of sprout, stem, and root extract. Leaf extract also significantly suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated gene expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). The main components of leaf extract were found to be genistin and daidzin. This study suggests that the leaves of kudzu are a good source of biological activities and isoflavones that can be used in functional or medicinal foods and cosmetics for the prevention or treatment of diseases related to inflammation and oxidative stress.
Highlights
Kudzu (Pueraria thunbergiana Benth.) is native to Korea, Japan, China, and India [1] and is grown worldwide
Phenolic compounds are ubiquitous in plants used for foods, medicines and cosmetics; they occur as glycosides and have several phenolic hydroxyl groups
They are known for their efficient radical scavenging activity resulting from the hydroxyl groups at various positions and the ortho-dihydroxy structure in their B ring [19]
Summary
Kudzu (Pueraria thunbergiana Benth.) is native to Korea, Japan, China, and India [1] and is grown worldwide. Kudzu roots are used as a source of starch in Japan and China and are eaten as a vegetable [2]. Kudzu roots have been commonly used as a food and medicine for centuries, especially in Asia [3], and reported to control diabetes, prevent cardiovascular diseases [4], and have antioxidant, anti-hypertensive [5], and anti-inflammatory activities [6]. Puerarin, which is a major component of kudzu roots, has a variety of biological activities, including activity against osteoporosis [9], cardiovascular disease [10], gynecological diseases [11], cognitive impairment [12], and diabetic nephropathy [13], and it can serve
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