Differential Influence of Pueraria lobata Root Extract and Its Main Isoflavones on Ghrelin Levels in Alcohol-Treated Rats

Advances in Extraction, Purification, and Analysis Techniques of the Main Components of Kudzu Root: A Comprehensive Review

Kudzu root (Pueraria lobate (Willd.) Ohwi, KR) is an edible plant with rich nutritional and medicinal values. Over the past few decades, an ample variety of biological effects of Pueraria isoflavone have been evaluated. Evidence has shown that Pueraria isoflavone can play an active role in antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, neuroprotection, and cardiovascular protection. Over 50 isoflavones in kudzu root have been identified, including puerarin, daidzein, daidzin, 3'-hydroxy puerarin, and genistein, each with unambiguous structures. However, the application of these isoflavones in the development of functional food and health food still depends on the extraction, purification and identification technology of Pueraria isoflavone. In recent years, many green and novel extraction, purification, and identification techniques have been developed for the preparation of Pueraria isoflavone. This review provides an updated overview of these techniques, specifically for isoflavones in KR since 2018, and also discusses and compares the advantages and disadvantages of these techniques in depth. The intention is to provide a research basis for the green and efficient extraction, purification, and identification of Pueraria isoflavone and offers investigators a valuable reference for future studies on the KR.

Cannabidiol as a Modulator of the Development of Alcohol Tolerance in Rats

The study aimed to explore in vivo the influence of cannabidiol (CBD) on the development of alcohol tolerance in rats. Rats were treated with ethanol (3.0 g/kg, i.p.) and CBD (20 mg/kg, p.o.) for nine successive days, and rectal body temperature, sedation (sleeping time), and blood alcohol concentration (BAC) were measured. In the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum, the cannabinoid (CB1R and CB2R) and dopaminergic (DRD1, DRD2, DRD4, DRD5) receptors’ mRNA level changes were analyzed using the quantitative RT-PCR method. CBD inhibited the development of tolerance to the hypothermic and sedative action of alcohol, coupled with BAC elevation. On a molecular level, the most pronounced effects of the CBD + ethanol interaction in the striatum were observed, where CBD reversed the downregulation of CB2R gene transcription caused by ethanol. For CB1R, DRD1, and DRD2 mRNAs, the CBD + ethanol interaction produced opposite effects than for CB2R ones. In turn, for the transcription of genes encoding dopaminergic receptors, the most potent effect of alcohol as CBD occurred in the hippocampus. However, the combined CBD and alcohol administration showed the same effect for each substance administered separately. Since tolerance is considered a prelude to drug addiction, obtained results allow us to emphasize the thesis that CBD can inhibit the development of alcohol dependence in rats.

Structure of a Pueraria root polysaccharide and its immunoregulatory activity on T and B lymphocytes, macrophages, and immunosuppressive mice

In this experiment, the polysaccharide was extracted from Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi, and its structural characteristics and bioactivity were investigated. The results showed that Pueraria lobata polysaccharide (PLP) was composed of fucose, arabinose, galactose, glucose, xylose, mannose in a molar proportion of 0.09:1.25:2.19:95.74:0.43:0.30 with a number molar masses (Mn) weight of 14.463 kDa. Besides, FT-IR, Methylation, and NMR analysis revealed that PLP were mainly composed of the main chain →4)-α-Glcp (1→ and →4,6)-α-Glcp (1→, and the branched chain α-Glcp (1→. In vitro experiment, the results showed that PLP could stimulate the expression of surface molecules on RAW264.7 and (T and B) lymphocytes proliferation, simultaneously to stimulate their cytokines secretion. In vivo experiment, the immune organ index, cytokine content, and T lymphocyte subtype in cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed mice could be improved by PLP. These data proved that PLP could be used as a useful immunomodulator to enhance the immune activity of RAW264.7, T, and B cells and improve the immune function of cyclophosphamide-treated mice.

Changes in the content of Puerarin-PLGA nanoparticles in mice under the influence of alcohol and analysis of their antialcoholism

To observe the metabolic changes and antialcoholic effect of Puerarin-PLGA nanoparticles (PUE-NP) in mice. PUE-NP was prepared and characterized by particle size distribution and morphology. The mouse models with acute alcoholism were established to observe their behavioral changes after alcohol poisoning. The expressions of biologically active enzymes such as CRE, BUN, AST, ALT in serum and SOD and TLR4 in liver of mice in each group were detected, and the pathological changes in liver and kidney tissues were observed by HE staining. The PUE-NP metabolism in mice was determined by in vitro release assay and HPLC. PUE-NP nanoparticles had good morphology and structure, and the mouse models with alcohol poisoning were established successfully. Compared with alcohol group, puerarin and PUE-NP increased the disappearance latency time of righting reflex, and the recovery time of righting reflex was significantly shortened. Water maze results showed that Puerarin and PUE-NP had inhibitory effect on impaired memory. HPLC results showed that PUE-NP reached its peak in mice after 1 h, and the content percentage was twice that of puerarin preparation alone, and the distribution time of puerarin concentration in vivo was prolonged, indicating that PLGA nanoparticles had a loading and slow-release effect on puerarin and increased the bioavailability of puerarin in mice. In addition, compared with the alcohol group, Puerarin and PUE-NP improved serum ALT, AST, CRE, and BUN levels in mice, enhanced SOD activity in liver, and inhibited TLR4 expression. The effect was better in the PUE-NP group than in the Puerarin group. PUE-NP delayed the release and metabolism of Puerarin and had better effect in the treatment of the alcoholic liver and kidney injury.