Puerarin: A Potential Supplement for Diabetes and its Complications

In recent years, the prevalence of diabetes has gradually increased and has become one of the main chronic non-communicable diseases, threatening the lives of people. Diabetic complications are characterized by high incidence and poor prognosis. Once they occur, conventional drugs are difficult to reverse, so it is extremely urgent to seek new drugs to treat diabetes and complications. Puerarin is an isoflavone derivative isolated from the root of Pueraria lobata; it has the functions of regulating blood glucose and lipids, protecting pancreatic β cells, improving insulin resistance, anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, and may become a potential supplement and substitute drug for diabetes and complications. Although puerarin is effective in the treatment of diabetes and complications, there is a lack of induction and collation of related mechanisms. This paper reviewed the research progress of the protective effect of puerarin on diabetes mellitus and its complications in recent years and discussed its related mechanism, providing a theoretical basis for the application of puerarin in the treatment of diabetes.