Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) Vine Isoflavone, Puerarin, Improves Weight gain, Glucose Metabolism and Osteoporosis and Their Biokinetics in Ovariectomized Mouse

Aged people, especially postmenopausal women are at increased risk of metabolic disorders such as obesity, which in turn raises the risk of developing further serious conditions, including diabetes [1,2], cancers, neurological disorders, hypertension, and other cardiovascular diseases [3]. Postmenopausal diabetes is induced by estrogen deficiency, which exacerbates insulin resistance [4,5]. The number of postmenopausal patients with diabetes has increased recently due to population aging; therefore, dietary strategies to reduce the risk of diabetes are expected to be necessary in order to improve postmenopausal health. OVX animals are used as a model of postmenopausal diabetes [68]. OVX mice show glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and increased body weight [7,8]. This mini review aims to summarize recent findings in the area of weight and fat mass control by kudzu (Pueraria lobata) vine isoflavones and their biokinetics in OVX mice.