Abstract
Puerarin is a compound from the group of isoflavones, naturally occurring in plants of the genus Pueraria, whose representatives include, among others, Pueraria lobata and Pueraria mirifica. Relatively many scientific studies on the biological activity of puerarin have been conducted so far. It seems that most attention was paid to the effect of puerarin on bone health. However, until now, no published studies have been collected and discussed in that regard. Based on the available data obtained from in vitro studies and on the animal model, it can be clearly shown that puerarin is an effective compound in inhibiting bone resorption and improving bone structure. Consumption of puerarin may be associated with the prevention of bone mass loss and thus can reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis. However, it is necessary to conduct human intervention studies to confirm the effectiveness of such action.
Highlights
Li et al [21] analyzed the effect of puerarin (5–20 μM) on the proliferation of osteoblasts from female mice using the MTT assay
Wang et al [38] noted that the osteocalcin level and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in bone marrow cells treated with ethanol + puerarin (0.01 mg/mL) were higher compared to cells treated with ethanol only
It has been repeatedly proven that this compound stimulates osteoblast differentiation and simultaneously inhibits osteoclastogenesis
Summary
3.1 In vitro studies Many in vitro experiments in which the effect of puerarin on bone health is analyzed via various mechanisms, have been conducted so far (Fig. 2). They noted an increase in OPG (osteoprotegerin) protein expression These results showed that puerarin may inhibit osteoclastogenesis-related processes and prevent bone resorption [21]. The observed increase in the viability of MC3T3-E1 cells indicates a significant effect of puerarin on proliferation, while the increase in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity (which is a marker of osteoblast activity) shows a stimulating effect of osteoblastic differentiation. The authors of the experiment noted that both puerarin and PM extract lowered the levels of RANKL mRNA expression (bone resorption marker) They did not cause any changes in OPG expression. It should be noted that too high doses of puerarin (10−3 mol/L) may inhibit ALP activity, osteoblast differentiation, reduce the formation of mineralized osteoblast nodules and, as a result, adversely affect bone formation. Consistent with the obtained results, scientists suggest that puerarin may be a promising agent in the treatment of diabetic osteoporosis (DOP) [33]
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