Abstract:

Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of puerarin and isoflavones from kudzu root (Pueraria
lobata Ohwi) on preventing acute drunkenness and relieving alcoholism in mice. Method: Firstly, mice were divided
randomly into five groups: control, crude kudzu root extract, kudzu root isoflavone, 60% puerarin, and 99% puerarin.
After 12 hours of fasting but with access to water, the mice in each group were orally administered with an equal dose of
the corresponding materials in 50% aqueous propylene glycol solution (the solvent alone for the control group). After 30
minutes, the mice from each group were administered by gavage with an identical volume of 56° red star Erguotou liquor.
The preventive effect of different contents of puerarin on acute drunkenness was investigated by observing the drunk time
and sober-up time. At the same time, the ethanol concentration in blood samples of mice was continuously detected to
characterize the degree of intoxication in mice at different time points. Secondly, another batch of mice were divided into
four groups, which were administered with kudzu root isoflavone containing approximately 22.13% puerarin at doses of
100, 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg bw after 12 hours of fasting with access to water, respectively. The optimal dose for preventing
acute drunkenness and relieving alcoholism was selected based on the drunk time and sober-up time. Results: With
increasing amount of puerarin in the materials administered to mice, the drunk time was increased and sober-up time was
shortened. Hence, the effect of puerarin is positively proportional to its content. However, no obvious change was observed
when the puerarin content exceeded 300 mg/kg bw. Conclusion: Puerarin is effective at preventing acute drunkenness and
relieving alcoholism. Other isoflavones from kudzu root have similar effect to that of puerarin.

Key words: puerarin, kudzu root isoflavones, mice, anti-drunk, drunk time, sober-up time