Oral toxicity assessment of Kudzu (<i>Pueraria lobata</i>) vine ethanol extract in mice

This study aimed to evaluate the oral safety of an ethanol extract derived from kudzu (Pueraria lobata) vine, referred to as PVEE, for potential use as a functional food ingredient. Acute toxicity was assessed by administering a single oral dose of 2 000 mg/kg to adult female mice, and subchronic toxicity was evaluated by daily administration of 20 mg/kg for 4 weeks in young adult, adult, aged, and ovariectomized mice. No mortality or treatment-related clinical signs were observed. Body and organ weights, serum biochemical parameters, histopathological findings, and total bone mineral density showed no significant differences between control and PVEE-treated groups. Puerarin, a major isoflavone in PVEE, was detected in the serum in all groups. These findings demonstrate that PVEE is well tolerated under the tested conditions and may be safely incorporated into functional foods targeting age- and hormone-related health concerns.