Pueraria Mirifica Overview

1. Studied Conditions

Pueraria mirifica has been studied for a variety of conditions, including:

• Menopausal symptoms (e.g., hot flashes, night sweats)
• Osteoporosis
• Cardiovascular health
• Sexual health
• Anti-aging and skin benefits
• Breast enhancement

2. Efficacy in Treating Conditions

Research on the effectiveness of Pueraria mirifica for treating these conditions has yielded mixed results:

• Some studies suggest it may alleviate menopausal symptoms due to its estrogen-like effects.
• There is limited evidence that it may have a positive impact on bone health and cardiovascular risk factors.
• Claims regarding sexual health and breast enhancement are not well-substantiated by scientific evidence.

3. Health Benefits

Pueraria mirifica is believed to offer several health benefits, such as:

• Improvement of menopausal symptoms
• Possibly supporting bone health
• Antioxidant properties
• May improve skin elasticity and reduce wrinkles

4. Downsides

Despite potential benefits, Pueraria mirifica has some downsides:

• It can act as an estrogen in the body, which might not be safe for individuals with hormone-sensitive conditions.
• Possible side effects include bloating, breast tenderness, and menstrual irregularities.
• Long-term safety and potential interactions with medications have not been thoroughly studied.

5. Impact on Genetic Variations

There is limited research on the interaction between Pueraria mirifica and specific genetic variations. However:

• Individuals with genetic variations affecting hormone metabolism might experience different effects.
• Those with a history of hormone-sensitive cancers should exercise caution due to its estrogenic activity.
• More research is needed to understand the full implications of Pueraria mirifica for various genetic backgrounds.

Research Summary on Pueraria Mirifica

Background

Pueraria Mirifica, known as "Kwao Khruea," is a herb used in traditional Thai medicine and is part of the Leguminosae family. The genus Pueraria includes several species such as Pueraria candollei (White Kwao Khruea), Butea superba (Red Kwao Khruea), and Mucuna collettii (Black Kwao Khruea), each with different medicinal properties.

Identification of Species

The study used Polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) to distinguish between the three species of Kwao Khruea, focusing on the partial matK gene. This method provided distinct restriction fragments for each species and successfully identified them in commercial drugs sold in Thai markets, highlighting the prevalence of misidentification.

Phytoestrogenic Activity

Pueraria Mirifica demonstrated estrogenic effects in various studies. Low concentrations promoted cell growth, while higher concentrations inhibited growth, showing potential for treating menopausal symptoms and possibly preventing osteoporosis. Notably, it also enhanced the production of isoflavonoids in callus cultures, offering a way to increase these beneficial compounds.

Immune-Stimulating Effects

Water-soluble polysaccharides extracted from Pueraria Mirifica showed immune-stimulating activity, enhancing T-lymphocyte proliferation in vitro.

Anticancer and Antioxidant Properties

Various extracts from the herb displayed anticancer properties against breast cancer cells and antioxidant activities, though the efficacy varied depending on the extract type and concentration.

Estrogenic and Antiestrogenic Effects

Pueraria Mirifica exhibited both estrogenic and antiestrogenic activities, influenced by metabolic activation within human cells, suggesting the need for metabolic activation to display its properties.

Effects on Bone Health

The herb's phytoestrogens, including miroestrol and deoxymiroestrol, were shown to affect bone health positively, by enhancing osteoblast differentiation and reducing bone resorption, which may prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Conclusion

Pueraria Mirifica holds potential for various medical applications, especially related to women's health, bone health, and cancer prevention. However, careful consideration of dosage and metabolic activation is necessary to ensure safety and efficacy.

References:

1. Discrimination of the Thai rejuvenating herbs Pueraria candollei (White Kwao Khruea), Butea superba (Red Kwao Khruea), and Mucuna collettii (Black Kwao Khruea) using PCR-RFLP
2. Production of isoflavonoids in callus cultures of Pueraria candollei var. mirifica
3. The differential anti-proliferation effect of white (Pueraria mirifica), red (Butea superba), and black (Mucuna collettii) Kwao Krua plants on the growth of MCF-7 cells
4. Characterisation and immuno-stimulating activity of polysaccharides from Thai medicinal plants
5. A method for the isolation of miroestrol from Pueraria mirifica
6. Miroestrol: an oestrogen from the plant Pueraria mirifica
7. Impact of Pueraria candollei var. mirifica and its potent phytoestrogen miroestrol on expression of bone-specific genes in ovariectomized mice
8. Bimodal action of miroestrol and deoxymiroestrol, phytoestrogens from Pueraria candollei var. mirifica, on hepatic CYP2B9 and CYP1A2 expressions and antilipid peroxidation in mice
9. Identification of deoxymiroestrol as the actual rejuvenating principle of "Kwao Keur", Pueraria mirifica. The known miroestrol may be an artifact
10. Quantitative analysis of miroestrol and kwakhurin for standardisation of Thai miracle herb 'Kwao Keur' (Pueraria mirifica) and establishment of simple isolation procedure for highly estrogenic miroestrol and deoxymiroestrol
11. Isoflavonoids from Pueraria mirifica and their estrogenic activity
12. Major isoflavonoid contents of the phytoestrogen rich-herb Pueraria mirifica in comparison with Pueraria lobata
13. Protection of HT22 neuronal cells against glutamate toxicity mediated by the antioxidant activity of Pueraria candollei var. mirifica extracts
14. Antitumor activity of spinasterol isolated from Pueraria roots
15. Pueraria lobata (Kudzu root) hangover remedies and acetaldehyde-associated neoplasm risk
16. Comparative analysis of the chemical constituents of two varieties of Pueraria candollei
17. Major isoflavonoid contents of the 1-year-cultivated phytoestrogen-rich herb, Pueraria mirifica
18. Variance of estrogenic activity of the phytoestrogen-rich plant
19. Requirement of metabolic activation for estrogenic activity of Pueraria mirifica
20. Metabolic activation promotes estrogenic activity of the phytoestrogen-rich plant
21. Differential binding with ERalpha and ERbeta of the phytoestrogen-rich plant Pueraria mirifica
22. Pueraria mirifica, phytoestrogen-induced change in synaptophysin expression via estrogen receptor in rat hippocampal neuron
23. Efficacy and safety of Pueraria mirifica (Kwao Kruea Khao) for the treatment of vasomotor symptoms in perimenopausal women: Phase II Study
24. Challenges in the conduct of Thai herbal scientific study: efficacy and safety of phytoestrogen, pueraria mirifica (Kwao Keur Kao), phase I, in the alleviation of climacteric symptoms in perimenopausal women
25. Comparison of Pueraria mirifica 25 and 50 mg for menopausal symptoms
26. Efficacy comparison of Pueraria mirifica (PM) against conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) with/without medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) in the treatment of climacteric symptoms in perimenopausal women: phase III study
27. Effects of Pueraria mirifica on vascular function of ovariectomized rabbits
28. Protective cardiovascular and renal actions of vitamin D and estrogen
29. Nitric oxide contributes to estrogen-induced vasodilation of the ovine uterine circulation
30. Pueraria mirifica phytoestrogens improve dyslipidemia in postmenopausal women probably by activating estrogen receptor subtypes
31. Effects and safety of Pueraria mirifica on lipid profiles and biochemical markers of bone turnover rates in healthy postmenopausal women
32. Dietary phytoestrogens and their effect on bone: evidence from in vitro and in vivo, human observational, and dietary intervention studies
33. Pueraria mirifica extract and puerarin enhance proliferation and expression of alkaline phosphatase and type I collagen in primary baboon osteoblasts
34. Upregulation of osteoblastic differentiation marker mRNA expression in osteoblast-like UMR106 cells by puerarin and phytoestrogens from Pueraria mirifica
35. Prevention of osteoporosis: treatment of estradiol deficiency
36. Preventive effects of Pueraria mirifica on bone loss in ovariectomized rats
37. Pueraria mirifica, a phytoestrogen-rich herb, prevents bone loss in orchidectomized rats
38. The effect of miroestrol on vaginal cornification, pituitary function and pregnancy in the rat
39. Estrogenic activity of the dichloromethane extract from Pueraria mirifica
40. Using vaginal cytology to assess the estrogenic activity of phytoestrogen-rich herb
41. Determination of the estrogenic activity of wild phytoestrogen-rich Pueraria mirifica by MCF-7 proliferation assay
42. Ovulation block by Pueraria mirifica: a study of its endocrinological effect in female monkeys
43. Evaluation of the estrogenic activity of the wild Pueraria mirifica by vaginal cornification assay
44. Long-term treatment effects of Pueraria mirifica phytoestrogens on parathyroid hormone and calcium levels in aged menopausal cynomolgus monkeys
45. Effects of Pueraria mirifica, an herb containing phytoestrogens, on reproductive organs and fertility of adult male mice
46. Different effects of Pueraria mirifica, a herb containing phytoestrogens, on LH and FSH secretion in gonadectomized female and male rats
47. Correlation of antioxidant activity and major isoflavonoid contents of the phytoestrogen-rich Pueraria mirifica and Pueraria lobata tubers
48. Effects of Pueraria mirifica and miroestrol on the antioxidation-related enzymes in ovariectomized mice
49. Modified expression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor-related genes by deoxymiroestrol, a phytoestrogen, in mouse hepatocytes in primary culture
50. Suppression of BSEP and MRP2 in mouse liver by miroestrol and deoxymiroestrol isolated from Pueraria candollei
51. Lithocholic acid decreases expression of bile salt export pump through farnesoid X receptor antagonist activity
52. The effect of Pueraria mirifica on cytologic and urodynamic findings in ovariectomized rats
53. Effect of Pueraria mirifica on the sexual skin coloration of aged menopausal cynomolgus monkeys
55. Estrogenic effects of Pueraria mirifica on the menstrual cycle and hormone-related ovarian functions in cyclic female cynomolgus monkeys
56. Assessment of fertility and reproductive toxicity in adult female mice after long-term exposure to Pueraria mirifica herb
57. Effect of Pueraria mirifica on vaginal health
58. Down regulation of gene related sex hormone synthesis pathway in mouse testes by miroestrol and deoxymiroestrol
59. The mutagenic and antimutagenic effects of the traditional phytoestrogen-rich herbs, Pueraria mirifica and Pueraria lobata
60. Mutagenicity of Pueraria mirifica Airy Shaw & Suvatabandhu and antimutagenicity of Thunbergia laurifolia Linn
61. Pretreatment with phytoestrogen-rich plant decreases breast tumor incidence and exhibits lower profile of mammary ERalpha and ERbeta

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