Mutagenic and antimutagenic effects of the traditional phytoestrogen-rich herbs, Pueraria mirifica and Pueraria lobata

Abstract

Pueraria mirifica is a Thai phytoestrogen-rich herb traditionally used for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. Pueraria lobata is also a phytoestrogen-rich herb traditionally used in Japan, Korea and China for the treatment of hypertension and alcoholism. We evaluated the mutagenic and antimutagenic activity of the two plant extracts using the Ames test preincubation method plus or minus the rat liver mixture S9 for metabolic activation using Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100 as indicator strains. The cytotoxicity of the two extracts to the two S. typhimurium indicators was evaluated before the mutagenic and antimutagenic tests. Both extracts at a final concentration of 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 mg/plate exhibited only mild cytotoxic effects. The plant extracts at the concentrations of 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/plate in the presence and absence of the S9 mixture were negative in the mutagenic Ames test. In contrast, both extracts were positive in the antimutagenic Ames test towards either one or both of the tested mutagens 2-(2-furyl)-3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-acrylamide and benzo(a)pyrene. The absence of mutagenic and the presence of anti-mutagenic activities of the two plant extracts were confirmed in rec-assays and further supported by a micronucleus test where both plant extracts at doses up to 300 mg/kg body weight (equivalent to 16 g/kg body weight plant tuberous powder) failed to exhibit significant micronucleus formation in rats. The tests confirmed the non-mutagenic but reasonably antimutagenic activities of the two plant extracts, supporting their current use as safe dietary supplements and cosmetics.

Anti‐Endometriotic Effects of Pueraria Flower Extract in Human Endometriotic Cells and Mice

“…Recent pharmacological studies have suggested that Pueraria flower has a wide range of biological activities, including hepatoprotective, antioxidant, hypoglycaemic, hypolipidaemic, antimutagenic, and hormone-regulating effects [14,15,16,17,18]. For example, Pueraria flower extract (PFE) was shown to have a protective effect on acute alcohol intoxication via modulation of alcohol metabolising and antioxidant enzymes in mice [27].…”

“…In Korean traditional medicine, Pueraria flowers are used to counteract symptoms associated with alcohol intoxication, liver injury, and menopause [10,11,12]. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that Pueraria flower has a wide range of biological activities, including hepatoprotective, antioxidant, hypoglycaemic, hypolipidaemic, antimutagenic, hormone-regulating, and anti-inflammatory effects [13,14,15,16,17,18]. However, there have been no scientific reports on the effect of Pueraria flower on endometriosis, a common gynaecological disease characterised by local sterile inflammation of the peritoneal cavity [19].…”

Phyto-Nutrients, Nutraceutical, Fermented Foods and Traditional Medicine in Human Health: Issues, Concerns and Strategies

“…The term 'nutraceuticals' was originally coined in the late 1980s [29]. It has since been used to describe a wide variety of non-pharmaceutical compounds that could have an influence on health and disease states, general well-being and performance [30].…”

“…Similarly, their use in medicine is an equally excited field of future research. The different bioactives within a particular nutraceutical or within a diet could exert (unknown) antagonistic, agonistic or synergistic effects which could possibly complicates the interpretation of any research find¬ings [30]. Besides, other interactive effects may also arise when nutraceutical approaches are placed in a broader lifestyle context, a concept that is generating a great interest these days.…”

Oral Toxicological Studies of Pueraria Flower Extract: Acute Toxicity Study in Mice and Subchronic Toxicity Study in Rats

“…However, the identities of the nonisoflavone compounds remain unclear. Although some toxicological studies on the Pueraria genus “root” and isoflavone‐rich extracts other than tectorigenins have been performed in vivo and in vitro (Jaroenporn ; Cherdshewasart ; Santosh ; Gomuttapong ), few toxicological studies on the Pueraria genus “flower” regarding PFE or its unique isoflavones and tectorigenins have been reported (Park and others ).…”