Puerarin is an isoflavone compound extracted from the root of Pueraria lobata (kudzu), a traditional Chinese medicinal plant. In recent years, a growing body of preclinical research has explored puerarin’s effects on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and related metabolic disorders. Animal studies indicate that puerarin may attenuate hepatic steatosis (fat accumulation in the liver), reduce liver inflammation, and improve insulin sensitivity. Proposed mechanisms include modulation of lipid metabolism pathways, activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), reduction of oxidative stress, and anti-inflammatory properties through suppression of NF-κB signaling.

In rodent models fed a high-fat diet, puerarin supplementation led to significant reductions in liver triglyceride content and improvements in liver histology. Some studies also report decreases in serum markers of liver injury (e.g., ALT, AST) and favorable changes in cholesterol and glucose metabolism. However, clinical evidence in humans is limited. Only a small number of clinical studies or case reports have evaluated puerarin in patients with fatty liver disease, and these are often preliminary or lack rigorous controls.

Overall, while traditional Chinese medicine has long used kudzu root for various ailments, the specific use of puerarin for fatty liver disease is supported primarily by animal and cellular studies, with a plausible scientific basis but insufficient high-quality human trials. Thus, the scientific evidence is promising but not yet definitive.