Mohammad Fathalipour
1 
, Amir Mahmoodzadeh
2 , Omid Safa
3 , Hossein Mirkhani
4, 5* 1 Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
2 Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
3 Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
4 Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
5 Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most prevalent microvascular complications of diabetes, and the most leading cause of visual loss around the world. The lack of effective and approved treatment in DR is a major challenge for diabetic patients. Nowadays, natural compounds have got attention of the researchers for management of DR. Many evidences suggest that puerarin as a natural polyphenol exerts advantageous effects against DR. In the present review, we summarized the protective effects of puerarin against DR, and discussed the underlying mechanisms of these effects. Puerarin attenuates retinal neovascularization and neurodegeneration in diabetes mellitus, and the underlying mechanisms are related to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties of the compound. In conclusion, puerarin might be a potential adjuvant agent for the prevention and treatment of DR. However, comprehensive studies are necessary to show its effectiveness and safety, particularly in human.
Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education:
Puerarin is one of the most famous isoflavones, which currently is used as an adjuvant agent in the treatment of different pathological conditions. Reviewing available evidences on the pharmacological activities and its underlying mechanisms can be helpful in the future treatment of retinopathy among diabetic patients.
Please cite this paper as: Fathalipour M, Mahmoodzadeh A, Safa O, Mirkhani M. Puerarin as potential treatment in diabetic retinopathy. J Herbmed Pharmacol. 2020;9(2):105-111. doi: 10.34172/jhp.2020.14.