J Food Bioact

Journal of Food Bioactives, ISSN 2637-8752 print, 2637-8779 online

Journal website www.isnff-jfb.com

Review

Volume 13, March 2021, pages 40-51

Phytochemicals and biological activities of Pueraria flower: a review

**Table 1.** Major flavonoids in Pueraria flower

1	Rutin	glc-rha	OH	OH	Ding et al., 2013; Lertpatipanpong et al., 2020
2	Luteolin	H	OH	OH	Ding et al., 2013
3	Apigenin	H	OH	H	Lu et al., 2013 Lertpatipanpong et al., 2020
4	Nicotiflorin	O-glc-(6→1)-xyl	OH	H	Lu et al., 2013
5	Apigenin 4′-O-β-D-glucoside	O-glc	H	H	Lu et al., 2013

Table 1. Major flavonoids in Pueraria flower

No.

compounds

R₁

R₂

R₃

Reference

Rutin

glc-rha

Ding et al., 2013; Lertpatipanpong et al., 2020

Luteolin

Ding et al., 2013

Apigenin

Lu et al., 2013 Lertpatipanpong et al., 2020

Nicotiflorin

O-glc-(6→1)-xyl

Lu et al., 2013

Apigenin 4′-O-β-D-glucoside

O-glc

Lu et al., 2013

**Table 2.** Major isoflavones in Pueraria flower

1	Kakkalide	OH	OMe	Glc-Xyl	H	H	Me	IR, UV	Kubo et al., 1975
2	3′-Hydroxypuerarin	OH	H	H	Glc	OH	H	UFLC-MS	Li et al., 2017
3	Puerarin	H	H	H	Glc	H	H	UFLC-MS	Li et al., 2017
4	Puerarinxyloside	H	H	Xyl	Glc	H	H	UFLC-MS	Li et al., 2017
5	Tectoridin	OH	OMe	Glc	H	H	H	UFLC-MS	Li et al., 2017
6	Tectorigenin	OH	O-CH₃	H	H	H	H	UFLC-MS	Li et al., 2017
7	Ononin	OH	OH	Glc	H	H	H	UV, MS, TLC	Kurihara and Kikuchi, 1976
8	Puerarin-4′-O-β-D-glucopyranoside	H	H	H	Glc	H	Glc	HPLC-MS/MS	Zhang et al., 2012
9	Glycitin	H	OMe	Glc	H	H	H	UPLC-QTOF/MS	Lu et al., 2013
10	Tectorigenin-7-O-β-D-xylosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside	OH	OMe	Glc-Xly	H	H	H	HPLC-MS/MS	Wang et al., 2013
11	Genistein-8-C-β-D-glucopyranoside	OH	H	H	Glc	H	H	HPLC-MS/MS	Zhang et al., 2012
12	Irisolidone-7-O-β-D-glucopyranpsyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside	OH	OMe	Glc-Glc	H	H	Me	HPLC-MS/MS	Zhang et al., 2012
13	Biochanin A-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside	OH	H	Glc	H	H	Me	HPLC-MS/MS	Zhang et al., 2012
14	Daidzein	H	H	Glc	H	H	H	IR, NMR	Kurihara and Kiruchi, 1973
15	3′-methoxydaidzin	H	H	Glc	H	OMe	H	HPLC-MS/MS	Zhang et al., 2012
16	Irisolidone	OH	OMe	H	H	H	Me	IR, TLC	Kurihara and Kiruchi, 1973
17	Formononetin	H	H	H	H	H	Me	UV, MS	Kurihara and Kiruchi, 1973
18	6-Hydroxygenistein-6,7-di-O-glucoside	OH	OGlc	Glc	H	H	H	UPLC-QTOF/MS	Lu et al., 2013
19	Tectorigenin-7-O-xylosylglucoside	OH	OMe	Glc-Xyl	H	H	H	UPLC-QTOF/MS	Lu et al., 2013
21	6-Hydroxybiochanin A-6,7-di-O-glucoside	OH	OGlc	Glc	H	Me	H	UPLC-QTOF/MS	Lu et al., 2013
22	Gehuain	H	OMe	Glc-Xyl	H	Me	H	UPLC-QTOF/MS	Lu et al., 2013
23	Glycitein	H	OMe	H	H	H	H	UPLC-QTOF/MS	Lu et al., 2013
24	Genistein	OH	H	H	H	H	H	IR, NMR	Kurihara and Kiruchi, 1973
25	Biochanin A	OH	H	H	H	Me	H	IR, TLC	Kurihara and Kiruchi, 1973
26	Tectorigenin-7-O-[β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside]	OH	OMe	Glc-Xyl	H	H	H	HPLC-ESI-Q/TOF-MS	Ma et al., 2019
27	Genistein-7-glucoside	OH	H	Glc	H	H	H	HPLC-ESI-Q/TOF-MS	Wang et al., 2013
28	3′-Hydroxytectorigenin-7-O-β-D-xylosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside	OH	OMe		H	OH	H	HR-ESI-MS and NMR	Wang et al., 2013
29	Sissotorin	OH	H	Glc	H	H	Me	UV, MS, TLC	Kurihara and Kikuchi, 1976
30	Quercetin	OH	H	H	H	OH	H	IR, NMR	Kurihara and Kikuchi, 1973
31	Genistein	OH	H		H	H	H	UV, MS, TLC	Kurihara and Kiruchi, 1973
32	Wistin	H	OMe	O-glc	H	H	OMe	HPLC	Ding et al., 2013

Table 2. Major isoflavones in Pueraria flower

No.

Compounds

R₁

R₂

R₃

R₄

R₅

R₆

Analysis

Reference

Kakkalide

OMe

Glc-Xyl

IR, UV

Kubo et al., 1975

3′-Hydroxypuerarin

Glc

UFLC-MS

Li et al., 2017

Puerarin

Glc

UFLC-MS

Li et al., 2017

Puerarinxyloside

Xyl

Glc

UFLC-MS

Li et al., 2017

Tectoridin

OMe

Glc

UFLC-MS

Li et al., 2017

Tectorigenin

O-CH₃

UFLC-MS

Li et al., 2017

Ononin

Glc

UV, MS, TLC

Kurihara and Kikuchi, 1976

Puerarin-4′-O-β-D-glucopyranoside

Glc

HPLC-MS/MS

Zhang et al., 2012

Glycitin

OMe

Glc

UPLC-QTOF/MS

Lu et al., 2013

Tectorigenin-7-O-β-D-xylosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside

OMe

Glc-Xly

HPLC-MS/MS

Wang et al., 2013

Genistein-8-C-β-D-glucopyranoside

Glc

HPLC-MS/MS

Zhang et al., 2012

Irisolidone-7-O-β-D-glucopyranpsyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside

OMe

Glc-Glc

HPLC-MS/MS

Zhang et al., 2012

Biochanin A-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside

Glc

HPLC-MS/MS

Zhang et al., 2012

Daidzein

Glc

IR, NMR

Kurihara and Kiruchi, 1973

3′-methoxydaidzin

Glc

OMe

HPLC-MS/MS

Zhang et al., 2012

Irisolidone

OMe

IR, TLC

Kurihara and Kiruchi, 1973

Formononetin

UV, MS

Kurihara and Kiruchi, 1973

6-Hydroxygenistein-6,7-di-O-glucoside

OGlc

Glc

UPLC-QTOF/MS

Lu et al., 2013

Tectorigenin-7-O-xylosylglucoside

OMe

Glc-Xyl

UPLC-QTOF/MS

Lu et al., 2013

6-Hydroxybiochanin A-6,7-di-O-glucoside

OGlc

Glc

UPLC-QTOF/MS

Lu et al., 2013

Gehuain

OMe

Glc-Xyl

UPLC-QTOF/MS

Lu et al., 2013

Glycitein

OMe

UPLC-QTOF/MS

Lu et al., 2013

Genistein

IR, NMR

Kurihara and Kiruchi, 1973

Biochanin A

IR, TLC

Kurihara and Kiruchi, 1973

Tectorigenin-7-O-[β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside]

OMe

Glc-Xyl

HPLC-ESI-Q/TOF-MS

Ma et al., 2019

Genistein-7-glucoside

Glc

HPLC-ESI-Q/TOF-MS

Wang et al., 2013

3′-Hydroxytectorigenin-7-O-β-D-xylosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside

OMe

HR-ESI-MS and NMR

Wang et al., 2013

Sissotorin

Glc

UV, MS, TLC

Kurihara and Kikuchi, 1976

Quercetin

IR, NMR

Kurihara and Kikuchi, 1973

Genistein

UV, MS, TLC

Kurihara and Kiruchi, 1973

Wistin

OMe

O-glc

OMe

HPLC

Ding et al., 2013

**Table 3.** Major saponins in Pueraria flower (Lu et al., 2013)

1	AstragalosideVIII	H, OH	CH₂OH	Xly-rha
2	SoyasaponinI	H, OH	CH₂OH	Gal-rha
3	SoyasaponinIII	H, β-OH	CH₂OH	Gal
4	SoyasaponinIV	H, OH	CH₂OH	Ara
5	KaikasaponinIII	H, OH	Me	Gla-rha
6	KaikasaponinII	H, OH	Me	Glc-rha
7	KaikasaponinI	H, OH	Me	Gal
8	KakkasaponinI	H, OH	Me	Ara-rha
9	AzukisaponinI	H, OH	Me	Glc
10	BaptisiasaponinI	H, OH	Me	Xyl-rha
11	PhaseosideIV	O	Me	Gal-rha
12	KakkasaponinII	O	Me	Gal
13	KakkasaponinIII	O	Me	Xyl-rha
14	Sophoradiol monoglucuronide	O	Me	Rha-gal

Table 3. Major saponins in Pueraria flower (Lu et al., 2013)

No.

Compounds

R₁

R₂

R₃

AstragalosideVIII

H, OH

CH₂OH

Xly-rha

SoyasaponinI

H, OH

CH₂OH

Gal-rha

SoyasaponinIII

H, β-OH

CH₂OH

Gal

SoyasaponinIV

H, OH

CH₂OH

Ara

KaikasaponinIII

H, OH

Gla-rha

KaikasaponinII

H, OH

Glc-rha

KaikasaponinI

H, OH

Gal

KakkasaponinI

H, OH

Ara-rha

AzukisaponinI

H, OH

Glc

BaptisiasaponinI

H, OH

Xyl-rha

PhaseosideIV

Gal-rha

KakkasaponinII

Gal

KakkasaponinIII

Xyl-rha

Sophoradiol monoglucuronide

Rha-gal

**Table 4.** Major essential oils in Pueraria flower
Compounds	Chemical structure	Analysis	Molecular weight	References
1-Octen-3-ol		IR, GLC, IR, GLC	128.21200	Kurihara and Kikuchi, 1973
Leaf Alcohol		IR, GLC	100.15900	Kurihara and Kikuchi, 1973
Benzyl Alcohol		IR, GLC	108.14	Kurihara and Kikuchi, 1973
Eugenol		IR, GLC	164.2	Kurihara and Kikuchi, 1973
Isoamyl Alcohol		IR, GLC	88.1481	Kurihara and Kikuchi, 1973
Octyl Alcohol		IR, GLC	130.2279	Kurihara and Kikuchi, 1973
l-Linalool		IR, GLC	154.25	Kurihara and Kikuchi, 1973
Methyl Benzoate		IR, GLC	136.15	Kurihara and Kikuchi, 1973
Methyl Propionate		IR, GLC	100.159	Kurihara and Kikuchi, 1973
Methyl Isovalerate		IR, GLC	116.16	Kurihara and Kikuchi, 1973
Methyl Caproate		IR, GLC	130.18	Kurihara and Kikuchi, 1973
Nonanal		GC-MS	142.24	Kurihara and Kikuchi, 1973
Camphor		GC-MS	152.23	Wang et al., 2002
Terpinyl acetate		GC-MS	196.29	Wang et al., 2002
Trans-caryophyllene		GC-MS	204.35	Wang et al., 2002
Thujopsene		GC-MS	204.35	Wang et al., 2002
Humulene		GC-MS	204.35	Wang et al., 2002
2.6-Bis(1-dimethylethyl)-4-methyl-phenol		GC-MS	220.35	Wang et al., 2002
Hexahydrofarnesyl acetone		GC-MS	268.48	Wang et al., 2002
Methyl palmitate		GC-MS	270.45	Wang et al., 2002
Dibutyl terephthalate		GC-MS	278.34	Wang et al., 2002
Hexadecanoic acid		GC-MS	256.42	Wang et al., 2002
n-Docosane	CH₃(CH₂)₂₀CH₃	GC-MS	310.60	Wang et al., 2002

Table 4. Major essential oils in Pueraria flower

Compounds

Chemical structure

Analysis

Molecular weight

References

1-Octen-3-ol

IR, GLC, IR, GLC

128.21200

Kurihara and Kikuchi, 1973

Leaf Alcohol

IR, GLC

100.15900

Kurihara and Kikuchi, 1973

Benzyl Alcohol

IR, GLC

108.14

Kurihara and Kikuchi, 1973

Eugenol

IR, GLC

164.2

Kurihara and Kikuchi, 1973

Isoamyl Alcohol

IR, GLC

88.1481

Kurihara and Kikuchi, 1973

Octyl Alcohol

IR, GLC

130.2279

Kurihara and Kikuchi, 1973

l-Linalool

IR, GLC

154.25

Kurihara and Kikuchi, 1973

Methyl Benzoate

IR, GLC

136.15

Kurihara and Kikuchi, 1973

Methyl Propionate

IR, GLC

100.159

Kurihara and Kikuchi, 1973

Methyl Isovalerate

IR, GLC

116.16

Kurihara and Kikuchi, 1973

Methyl Caproate

IR, GLC

130.18

Kurihara and Kikuchi, 1973

Nonanal

GC-MS

142.24

Kurihara and Kikuchi, 1973

Camphor

GC-MS

152.23

Wang et al., 2002

Terpinyl acetate

GC-MS

196.29

Wang et al., 2002

Trans-caryophyllene

GC-MS

204.35

Wang et al., 2002

Thujopsene

GC-MS

204.35

Wang et al., 2002

Humulene

GC-MS

204.35

Wang et al., 2002

2.6-Bis(1-dimethylethyl)-4-methyl-phenol

GC-MS

220.35

Wang et al., 2002

Hexahydrofarnesyl acetone

GC-MS

268.48

Wang et al., 2002

Methyl palmitate

GC-MS

270.45

Wang et al., 2002

Dibutyl terephthalate

GC-MS

278.34

Wang et al., 2002

Hexadecanoic acid

GC-MS

256.42

Wang et al., 2002

n-Docosane

CH₃(CH₂)₂₀CH₃

GC-MS

310.60

Wang et al., 2002

**Table 5.** The main bioactives of Pueraria flower.
Compounds	Bioactivities	Experimental models	Effects	References
Tectoridin	Hepatoprotective Effect	Ethanol-induced mice	↓ALT, AST, TG, MDA MPT, Δψm levels.↑PPARα, MCAD, CYP 4A10/14, DGAT, GPAT	Xiong et al., 2010
Kakkalide, irislidone	Hypolipidemic effect	Trition WR1339-induced mice	↓HCR activity, TC, TG level	Min and Kim, 2007
Kakkalide, irislidone	Anti-inﬂammation	TNBS-induced mice	↓NF-κB activation, M1 macrophage polarization marker expression. ↑gut Proteobacteria population	Jang et al., 2019
Kaikasaponin, Tectorigenin	Antimutagenic, anti-lipid peroxidative effect	Bromobenzene induced rats	↓Salmonella typhymurium TA100, AFB₁, MDA	Park et al., 2002
Tectorigenin	Hepatoprotective Effect	CCl₄-induced mice	↓ALT, AST, LDH, MDA, calcium levels, ↑GSH, GST activity	Lee et al., 2003
Tectorigenin	Antioxidant	H₂O₂-induced HUVECs	↓LDH, MDA levels. Bax and Cleaved Caspase-3. ↑Bcl-2 expression, SOD and GSH-Px.	Chen et al., 2021
Tectorigenin, Tectoridin	Antioxidant	In vitro	↓hydroxy radical, Superoxide anion radical, DPPH radical, Lipid peroxidation levels	Han et al., 2012
KaikasaponinIII	Antidiabetic	Streptozotocin-induced rat	↓lipid peroxide, hydroxy radical levels, ↑SOD, TF, PhaseI, PhaseII enzymes activities	Choi et al., 2004
Tectorigenin, genistein	Antileukemia	HL-60cells	↓Bcl-2, EGF-receptor expression	Lee et al., 2001
Irisolidone, kakkalide	Anti-gastric injury	ethanol-induced mice	↓TNFα, IL-8, IFNγ, COX-2expression, NF-κB activation	Kang et al., 2016
Tectorigenin	Anti-inﬂammation	Palmitate-stimulated HUVECs	↓ROS production, Δψm, IKKβ/NF-κB and JNK activation, TNF-α, IL-6 expression, IRS-1serine/tyrosine phoshorylation, NO production, ET-1, VCAM-1 expression	Qi et al., 2013 Zhang et al., 2013
Kakkalide, irisolide	Anti-inﬂammation	Carrageenan-Induced	↓TNFα, IL-β, PGE₂, COX-2 expreesion, NF-κB activation.	Min et al., 2011
Tectorigenin	Antioxidant	MPP+-induced SH-SY5Y cell	↓cell cytotoxicity and poptosis, Bax/Bcl-2, ROS, NOX, antioxidant enzyme expression	Min et al., 2011
Irisolidone	Hepatoprotective effect	Tert-Butyl Hyperoxide(t-BHP)-Induced mice	↓cell cytotoxicity, ALT, AST.	Lee et al., 2005
Irisolidone	Antibacterial activity	Helicobacter pylori	↓H+/K+ ATPase	Bae et al., 2001
KaikasaponinIII, Tectorigenin	Hypoglycemic, hypolipid effect, antioxidant	Streptozotocin-Lnduced rats	↓glucose, body weight, LDL, VLDL cholesterol, DPPH, XOD, superoxide anion, lipid peroxidation.↑HDL cholesterol	Lee et al., 2000
Puerarin	Antioxidant, anti-inﬂammation	DSS-induced mice	↓myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, NF-κB, pro-inflammatory mediators, Nrf2↑tight junctions	Jeon et al., 2020
Tectoridin	Estrogenic effects	Ovariectomy-induced mice	↓osteoclastogenesis. Trap, Ctsk, ATP60, DC-Stamp, c-Fos, and NFATc1, NF-κB	Wang et al., 2020

Table 5. The main bioactives of Pueraria flower.

Compounds

Bioactivities

Experimental models

Effects

References

Tectoridin

Hepatoprotective Effect

Ethanol-induced mice

↓ALT, AST, TG, MDA MPT, Δψm levels.↑PPARα, MCAD, CYP 4A10/14, DGAT, GPAT

Xiong et al., 2010

Kakkalide, irislidone

Hypolipidemic effect

Trition WR1339-induced mice

↓HCR activity, TC, TG level

Min and Kim, 2007

Kakkalide, irislidone

Anti-inﬂammation

TNBS-induced mice

↓NF-κB activation, M1 macrophage polarization marker expression. ↑gut Proteobacteria population

Jang et al., 2019

Kaikasaponin, Tectorigenin

Antimutagenic, anti-lipid peroxidative effect

Bromobenzene induced rats

↓Salmonella typhymurium TA100, AFB₁, MDA

Park et al., 2002

Tectorigenin

Hepatoprotective Effect

CCl₄-induced mice

↓ALT, AST, LDH, MDA, calcium levels, ↑GSH, GST activity

Lee et al., 2003

Tectorigenin

Antioxidant

H₂O₂-induced HUVECs

↓LDH, MDA levels. Bax and Cleaved Caspase-3. ↑Bcl-2 expression, SOD and GSH-Px.

Chen et al., 2021

Tectorigenin, Tectoridin

Antioxidant

In vitro

↓hydroxy radical, Superoxide anion radical, DPPH radical, Lipid peroxidation levels

Han et al., 2012

KaikasaponinIII

Antidiabetic

Streptozotocin-induced rat

↓lipid peroxide, hydroxy radical levels, ↑SOD, TF, PhaseI, PhaseII enzymes activities

Choi et al., 2004

Tectorigenin, genistein

Antileukemia

HL-60cells

↓Bcl-2, EGF-receptor expression

Lee et al., 2001

Irisolidone, kakkalide

Anti-gastric injury

ethanol-induced mice

↓TNFα, IL-8, IFNγ, COX-2expression, NF-κB activation

Kang et al., 2016

Tectorigenin

Anti-inﬂammation

Palmitate-stimulated HUVECs

↓ROS production, Δψm, IKKβ/NF-κB and JNK activation, TNF-α, IL-6 expression, IRS-1serine/tyrosine phoshorylation, NO production, ET-1, VCAM-1 expression

Qi et al., 2013 Zhang et al., 2013

Kakkalide, irisolide

Anti-inﬂammation

Carrageenan-Induced

↓TNFα, IL-β, PGE₂, COX-2 expreesion, NF-κB activation.

Min et al., 2011

Tectorigenin

Antioxidant

MPP+-induced SH-SY5Y cell

↓cell cytotoxicity and poptosis, Bax/Bcl-2, ROS, NOX, antioxidant enzyme expression

Min et al., 2011

Irisolidone

Hepatoprotective effect

Tert-Butyl Hyperoxide(t-BHP)-Induced mice

↓cell cytotoxicity, ALT, AST.

Lee et al., 2005

Irisolidone

Antibacterial activity

Helicobacter pylori

↓H+/K+ ATPase

Bae et al., 2001

KaikasaponinIII, Tectorigenin

Hypoglycemic, hypolipid effect, antioxidant

Streptozotocin-Lnduced rats

↓glucose, body weight, LDL, VLDL cholesterol, DPPH, XOD, superoxide anion, lipid peroxidation.↑HDL cholesterol

Lee et al., 2000

Puerarin

Antioxidant, anti-inﬂammation

DSS-induced mice

↓myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, NF-κB, pro-inflammatory mediators, Nrf2↑tight junctions

Jeon et al., 2020

Tectoridin

Estrogenic effects

Ovariectomy-induced mice

↓osteoclastogenesis. Trap, Ctsk, ATP60, DC-Stamp, c-Fos, and NFATc1, NF-κB

Wang et al., 2020