Fang Deng

As a kind of medicine and food homologous plant, kudzu root (Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi) is called an “official medicine” in Chinese folk medicine. Puerarin is the main active component extracted from kudzu root, and its structural formula is 8-β-D-grapes pyranose-4, 7-dihydroxy isoflavone, with a white needle crystal; it is slightly soluble in water, and its aqueous solution is colorless or light yellow. Puerarin is a natural antioxidant with high health value and has a series of biological activities such as antioxidation, anti-inflammation, anti-tumor effects, immunity improvement, and cardio-cerebrovascular and nerve cell protection. In particular, for the past few years, it has also been extensively used in clinical study. This review focuses on the antioxidant activity of puerarin, the therapy of diverse types of inflammatory diseases, various new drug delivery systems of puerarin, the “structure-activity relationship” of puerarin and its derivatives, and pharmacokinetic and clinical studies, which can provide a new perspective for the puerarin-related drug research and development, clinical application, and further development and utilization.

Tartary buckwheat, a polygonaceae family plant, is rich in abundant flavonoids, high-quality protein, and well-balanced essential amino acids. This study aimed to investigate the effects of climatic variables on the quality of Tartary buckwheat. In this study, six distinct types of Tartary buckwheat collected from the Sichuan Basin, Western Sichuan Plateau, and Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau in southwest China were chosen to investigate the impact of climatic conditions from the grain-filling stage to the harvest stage on the concentration of flavonoids and expression of key enzyme genes involved the synthesis of flavonoids. Meteorological data of three producing areas were collected from the China Meteorological Network, mainly including maximum temperature (Tmax), minimum temperature (Tmin), diurnal temperature difference (Tdif), and light intensity. Then, the contents of rutin, kaempferol-3-O-rutin glycoside, quercetin, and kaempferol in 30 batches of Tartary buckwheat from 6 varieties including Chuanqiao No. 1, Chuanqiao No. 2, Xiqiao No. 1, Xiqiao No. 2, Miqiao No. 1 and Di ku were determined by ultra performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Furthermore, the expression levels of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), 4-coumaric acid coenzyme A ligase (4CL), and anthocyanin synthase (ANS) in six kinds of Tartary buckwheat were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The seed photos were processed by ImageJ processing software. The partial least squares method was used to analyze the correlation. As a result, light intensity can promote the accumulation of flavonoids and the expression of key enzyme genes. Miqiao No. 1, which grows in Liangshan Prefecture, Sichuan Province, has the highest light intensity and is the dominant variety with flavonoid content. More importantly, the expression levels of PAL and 4CL in the secondary metabolic pathway of flavonoids were positively correlated with the content of Tartary buckwheat flavonoids. Interestingly, the expression level of ANS was negatively correlated with the content of PAL, 4CL, and flavonoids. In addition, ANS is a key gene affecting the seed coat color of Tartary buckwheat. The higher the expression of ANS, the darker the seed coat color. These findings provide a theoretical basis and reference for the breeding of fine buckwheat varieties.