Preclinical Evaluation of Puerarin as a Modulator of Metabolic and Inflammatory Parameters in a High-Fat-Diet-Fed Mice Model

Obesity is a multifactorial condition characterized by adipose tissue dysfunction, insulin resistance, and low-grade systemic inflammation, contributing to metabolic disturbances. The search for natural compounds with protective actions against obesity and its complications has attracted increasing attention. Puerarin, an isoflavone derived from <i>Pueraria lobata</i>, has been reported to exert anti-inflammatory and metabolic regulatory properties. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of puerarin, a natural isoflavone, on metabolic and inflammatory alterations in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and treated orally with puerarin (50 mg/kg) for 14 weeks. The administration of puerarin resulted in a 17% reduction in weight gain, improved glucose tolerance by 6.2%, and decreased insulin resistance by 11% compared to the HFD group. Histological analysis revealed a marked reduction in hepatic steatosis and adipocyte hypertrophy. Additionally, puerarin lowered the concentration of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-17A, and IFN-γ, while increasing IL-10 levels. These findings suggest that puerarin may provide protective effects on glucose metabolism, liver steatosis, and adipose tissue inflammation in obesity, highlighting its possible potential as an immunometabolic modulator.