Effect of Puerarin Regulated mTOR Signaling Pathway in Experimental Liver Injury

Abstract

It is known that excessive hepatocellular apoptosis is a typical characteristic of hepatic disease, and is regulated by the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. As the main active component of Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) roots, which is frequently used to treat hepatic diseases, Puerarin (Pue) has been reported to alleviate and protect against hepatic injury. However, it is unclear whether Pue can inhibit mTOR signaling to prevent excessive apoptosis in the treatment of hepatic diseases. In the present study, Pue effectively ameliorated pathological injury of the liver, decreased serum enzyme (ALT, AST, γ-GT, AKP, DBIL, and TBIL) levels, regulated the balance between pro-inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, and TGF-β1) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10), restored the cell cycle and inhibited hepatocellular apoptosis and caspase-3 expression in rats with liver injury induced by 2-AAF/PH. Pue inhibited p-mTOR, p-AKT and Raptor activity, and increased Rictor expression in the liver tissues of rats with experimental liver injury. These results indicated that Pue effectively regulated the activation of mTOR signaling pathway in the therapeutic and prophylactic process of Pue on experimental liver injury.

Alleviation of Inflammatory Response of Pulmonary Fibrosis in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome by Puerarin via Transforming Growth Factor (TGF-β1)

“…Puerarin is an isoflavone compound extracted from Pueraria lobata , a leguminous plant. It has been noted that puerarin has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation, anti-osteoporosis, hypoglycemic, and anti-cancer activities [4–6]. Puerarin inhibits cancer cells by regulating inflammation-related proteins and signaling pathways.…”

Topical Application of Galgeunhwanggeumhwangryeon-Tang Recovers Skin-Lipid Barrier and Ameliorates Inflammation via Filaggrin-Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin-Interleukin 4 Pathway

“…The MoA of these natural products is not corresponding to protection of skin barrier. However, several studies showed that these compounds, including puerarin, berberine, and wogonin, regulated the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) [70][71][72][73][74][75]. The mTOR and STAT3 signaling pathways have been known as crucial for maintaining homeostasis of skin barrier in pathophysiology of atopic dermatitis [76,77].…”

Network pharmacology-based analysis of the effects of puerarin on sarcopenia

“…Puerarin has been used clinically to treat a variety of diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, retinal arteriovenous obstruction, sudden deafness, diabetes, and diabetic complications (21,22). The pathogenesis of sarcopenia is associated with inflammation (23)(24)(25), oxidative stress (26,27), and myocyte apoptosis (28)(29)(30), and puerarin has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and apoptosisregulating effects (31). Thus, we conjectured that puerarin may have therapeutic effects in the treatment of sarcopenia.…”