Puerarin
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Puerarin (Puerarin (Kudzu isoflavone)) is a dietary supplement with 10 published peer-reviewed studies involving 1,850 participants, researched for Cardiovascular Health, Blood Sugar Control, Neuroprotection and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Cardiovascular Health
StrongBlood Sugar Control
ModerateNeuroprotection
ModerateBone Health
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Cardiovascular Health
To evaluate Puerarin injection followed by oral supplementation in patients with coronary artery disease
Study Type
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate Puerarin injection followed by oral supplementation in patients with coronary artery disease
Dose
Puerarin injection 400 mg/day IV for 14 days then 400 mg oral daily for 3 months
Participants
240 patients with acute coronary syndrome
Duration
3 months total
Results
Puerarin significantly improved TIMI flow grade, reduced troponin I and CK-MB at 14 days, lowered CRP and IL-6, and improved LVEF compared to control. Long-term oral Puerarin maintained cardiovascular benefit.
How They Measured It
TIMI flow grade, troponin I, CK-MB, inflammatory markers, left ventricular ejection fraction
To evaluate Puerarin on blood pressure and vascular function in patients with hypertension
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate Puerarin on blood pressure and vascular function in patients with hypertension
Dose
500 mg Puerarin twice daily
Participants
120 hypertensive patients
Duration
16 weeks
Results
Puerarin as adjunct significantly reduced 24-hour systolic (−8.4 mmHg) and diastolic (−5.1 mmHg) BP, improved arterial stiffness (PWV), increased NO, and reduced endothelin-1 levels compared to medication alone.
How They Measured It
24-hour BP monitoring, brachial-ankle PWV, endothelial function, NO, endothelin-1
To evaluate the cardiovascular effects of Puerarin in clinical trials
Study Type
Meta-analysis
Purpose
To evaluate the cardiovascular effects of Puerarin in clinical trials
Dose
Puerarin injection and oral formulations
Participants
Meta-analysis of 12 RCTs (n=824)
Duration
Various
Results
Puerarin significantly reduced systolic BP (−7.8 mmHg), LDL cholesterol (−0.48 mmol/L), triglycerides, and improved cardiac function markers. Injectable Puerarin showed strongest effects in acute cardiac settings.
How They Measured It
Meta-analysis of BP, lipids, and cardiac function outcomes from RCTs
Blood Sugar Control
To evaluate oral Puerarin supplementation on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes
Study Type
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate oral Puerarin supplementation on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes
Dose
750 mg Puerarin daily (3 x 250 mg capsules)
Participants
160 adults with type 2 diabetes
Duration
24 weeks
Results
Puerarin supplementation as adjunct significantly reduced HbA1c (−0.7%), fasting glucose (−1.4 mmol/L), postprandial glucose, and HOMA-IR compared to standard therapy alone. No hypoglycemic events occurred.
How They Measured It
Fasting glucose, HbA1c, 2-hour postprandial glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR
To investigate the insulin-sensitizing mechanisms of Puerarin in diet-induced diabetic mice
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To investigate the insulin-sensitizing mechanisms of Puerarin in diet-induced diabetic mice
Dose
50-100 mg/kg Puerarin
Participants
20 HFD/STZ diabetic mice
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Puerarin activated AMPK and AKT/IRS-1 signaling, stimulated GLUT4 translocation in muscle, inhibited hepatic gluconeogenesis (reduced G6Pase, PEPCK), and improved adiponectin:leptin ratio, explaining its insulin-sensitizing effects.
How They Measured It
GLUT4 translocation, IRS-1/Akt pathway, hepatic gluconeogenesis enzymes, AMPK, adipokines
Neuroprotection
To evaluate Puerarin supplementation on cognitive function and neuroinflammation in patients with vascular dementia
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate Puerarin supplementation on cognitive function and neuroinflammation in patients with vascular dementia
Dose
400 mg Puerarin twice daily
Participants
120 patients with vascular dementia
Duration
12 months
Results
Puerarin supplementation significantly slowed cognitive decline (MMSE, MoCA), elevated serum BDNF, reduced neuroinflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6, IL-1β), and prevented progression of carotid IMT compared to standard treatment alone.
How They Measured It
MMSE, MoCA, CDR, serum BDNF, neuroinflammatory markers, carotid IMT
To investigate Puerarin neuroprotection in a rat model of ischemic stroke
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To investigate Puerarin neuroprotection in a rat model of ischemic stroke
Dose
50-100 mg/kg Puerarin
Participants
30 rats with MCAO-induced stroke
Duration
7 days
Results
Puerarin significantly reduced infarct volume (−42%), improved neurological outcomes, preserved BBB integrity, reduced oxidative injury and apoptosis, and promoted post-stroke angiogenesis via VEGF upregulation.
How They Measured It
Infarct volume, neurological score, BBB integrity, oxidative stress, apoptosis, angiogenesis
To review the neuroprotective mechanisms and clinical evidence for Puerarin
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
To review the neuroprotective mechanisms and clinical evidence for Puerarin
Dose
Puerarin formulations
Participants
Review of 45 studies
Duration
Various
Results
Puerarin demonstrates multi-target neuroprotection via estrogenic (ER-β), antioxidant, anti-neuroinflammatory, and pro-angiogenic mechanisms. Clinical evidence supports cognitive benefits in vascular dementia and MCI.
How They Measured It
Systematic review of in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies in neurological disease
Bone Health
To evaluate Puerarin supplementation on bone mineral density and metabolism in postmenopausal women
Study Type
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate Puerarin supplementation on bone mineral density and metabolism in postmenopausal women
Dose
500 mg Puerarin daily
Participants
200 postmenopausal women
Duration
2 years
Results
Puerarin supplementation significantly preserved lumbar spine BMD (−0.3% vs −1.6% placebo) and femoral neck BMD. Bone resorption marker CTX was significantly reduced. P1NP bone formation marker was significantly elevated.
How They Measured It
DXA at lumbar spine and hip, CTX, P1NP, osteocalcin, calcium and phosphate metabolism
To investigate the bone-protecting mechanisms of Puerarin in ovariectomized rats
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To investigate the bone-protecting mechanisms of Puerarin in ovariectomized rats
Dose
25-100 mg/kg Puerarin
Participants
36 ovariectomized rats
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Puerarin dose-dependently preserved bone mass, stimulated osteoblast differentiation and collagen synthesis via ER-β, suppressed RANKL/OPG ratio-dependent osteoclastogenesis, and maintained trabecular microarchitecture without uterotrophic effects.
How They Measured It
DXA BMD, bone histomorphometry, osteoblast/osteoclast activity, RANKL/OPG, ER-β signaling
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Puerarin research
There are currently 10 peer-reviewed studies on Puerarin (Puerarin (Kudzu isoflavone)), involving 1,850 total participants. Research covers Cardiovascular health, Blood sugar control, Neuroprotection and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Very Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Very Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (10 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Puerarin has been researched for: Cardiovascular health, Blood sugar control, Neuroprotection, Bone health. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 10 out of 10 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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