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

Abstract

Kudzu has been widely used as an herbal medicine in China. The root of the kudzu is also well known as an antipyretic and analgesic in treatment of the common cold, while its flower has been used to treat alcohol intoxication, alcohol abuse, and dysentery. Pueraria flower extract (PFE) is a hot water extract derived from the flower of the kudzu, Pueraria thomsonii Benth. (Fabaceae), oral intake of which exhibits anti-obesity properties in mice and humans. In this study, we conducted acute and subchronic toxicity studies for an evaluation of safety. In the acute study, PFE (5 g/kg body weight) was orally administered to ddY mice. For 14 d after administration, no deaths or abnormal changes were observed in general signs, body weight (BW), or food consumption, and no abnormal findings were observed in the major organs and tissues of either males or females at necropsy. The oral LD50 of PFE was therefore estimated to be higher than 5 g/kg BW. In the subchronic study, PFE was mixed into the diet in place of powdered CRF-1 and administered at concentrations of 0% (control), 0.5%, 1.5%, and 5.0% to male and female Sprague-Dawley rats for 90 d. No mortality or toxicological changes were observed during the experimental period. Blood biochemical, hematological, and urinary parameters revealed no toxicologically significant changes. Furthermore, no anatomical or histopathological changes due to PFE were observed. The no-observed adverse-effect-level of PFE was thus estimated to be 5.0% in the diet (male: 3.0 g/kg BW/d; female: 3.5 g/kg BW/d).

Irisolidone attenuates ethanol‐induced gastric injury in mice by inhibiting the infiltration of neutrophils

“…Irisolidone more potently reduced ethanol mortality in mice than kakkalide . PF extract did not show any toxicological alteration in terms of lethality, body weight, or gross lesions in ddY mice; the oral LD50 of PF extract was estimated to be higher than 5 g/kg body weight . Furthermore, PF has become one of the better selling functional foods for treatment of alcohol intoxication and liver injury.…”

Phytochemicals and biological activities of Pueraria flower: a review

“…Although very few reports are available so far, the toxicity of PFE or compounds from PFE is still needed. Takano et al (Takano et al, 2013) performed oral toxicological studies of PFE and their results provided a fundamental reference for further development and clinical translation of functional food based on Pueraria flower. In their acute toxicity study with 14 days observation, no death or abnormalities were observed and the estimated oral LD50 of PFE was higher than 5 g/kg body weight.…”

A Promising View of Kudzu Plant, Pueraria montana var. lobata (Willd.) Sanjappa & Pradeep: Flavonoid Phytochemical Compounds, Taxonomic Data, Traditional Uses and Potential Biological Activities for Future Cosmetic Application

“…This should be a point of concern for cosmetics companies to select the part that provides the most potential for expected biological activity for their cosmetic products. (4) The previous study on the toxicity of the kudzu plant mainly focuses on the extract; even both acute toxicity and subchronic toxicity studies of this plant extract indicated its safety in animal models [38]. The toxicity test of the bioactive phytochemical compounds should be confirmed before the development of cosmetic products.…”