Restoration of autophagy by puerarin in ethanol-treated hepatocytes via the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase

► Ethanol reduces autophagy activity by suppressing AMPK activity in hepatocytes. ► Puerarin recovers autophagy activity by stimulating AMPK and suppressing mTOR. ► Puerarin plays hepatoprotective role in ethanol-treated hepatocytes. ► Puerarin might be used for treating alcoholic liver damage.