Abstract: Objective: To compare the hepatoprotective effects of wild and cultivated kudzu root (Pueraria lobata Ohwi) on a mouse model of chronic alcoholic liver injury. Methods: Specific pathogen free (SPF) mice were divided into nine groups randomly to evaluate and compare the effects of different oral doses of wild and cultivated kudzu root on aminotransferase and dehydrogenase activities, antioxidant indexes and inflammatory signaling indexes in the liver and blood of mice. Results: Compared with the model group, serum aminotransferase levels decreased, and the activities of hepatic alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) increased and decreased significantly in the kudzu root treated groups, respectively (P < 0.05). Serum dehydrogenase levels increased significantly (P < 0.05). Moreover, the activities of hepatic catalase and glutathione peroxidase increased significantly (P < 0.05). The contents of NO, tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin (IL)-1β in the liver decreased significantly (P < 0.05), while the content of IL-10 increased significantly (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Both wild and cultivated kudzu root at certain doses can protect against chronic alcoholic liver injury in mice, and the protective effect of wild kudzu root is more pronounced at the same dose. These experimental results provide a theoretical basis for further development and utilization of wild and cultivated kudzu root.

Key words: wild kudzu root; cultivated kudzu root; chronic alcoholic liver injury