Hepatotoxicity of tubers of Indian Kudzu (Pueraria tuberosa) in rats

Methanolic extract of tubers of Pueraria tuberosa Linn. (Fabaceae) (PTME) has been tested for hepatoxicity in rats. In acute study, PTME (100–400 mg/100 g BW, given orally) showed LD50 at 227.5 mg. For sub-chronic study, its repeated doses (5–100 mg/100 g BW, for 30 days), significantly increased hepatic enzymes in blood, sinusoidal congestion, disruption of central vein, inflammatory cell infiltration and hepatocellular necrosis in liver in dose dependent manner, with increase in NO, iNOS and ROS levels. In a kinetic study (single dose 227.5 mg/100 g BW), there was sequential decrease in GSH and enhanced NO suggesting free-radical generation as the primary cause of cell damage. It is concluded that the higher dosing of PTME or its continuous use for longer period (even in low doses) is hepatotoxicity by inducing oxidative stress.