Puerariae lobatae Radix (Kudzu Root) (Ge Gen)

Gegen, also known as Ge Gen or Kudzu root (Pueraria lobata), is a classical Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herb primarily used for the treatment of metabolic, cardiovascular, and inflammatory disorders [1, 16]. It is incorrectly identified as a single molecular target or receptor; rather, it is a complex botanical source containing a diverse array of bioactive isoflavones, most notably puerarin, daidzin, and daidzein [1, 2]. Pharmacological research using network pharmacology has demonstrated that Gegen exerts its effects through a "multi-component, multi-target" mechanism, modulating a wide range of proteins including Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and various mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) [1, 14, 15]. These interactions contribute to its therapeutic efficacy in managing conditions such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and chronic inflammation [1, 4, 18]. Because it acts on a broad network of signaling pathways rather than a specific discrete receptor, Gegen is categorized as a botanical therapeutic source rather than a molecular target itself [2, 12].

Other names

Ge GenKudzu rootPueraria lobataRadix PuerariaeYe Ge

Modulation of multiple signaling pathways including PI3K-Akt, TNF, and PPAR-gamma through the action of bioactive isoflavones.