Efficacy and safety of Pueraria lobata radix and Pueraria thomsonii radix for patients with mild dyslipidemia: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

This randomized, double-blind trial assessed the efficacy and safety of Pueraria lobata radix (PLR) and Pueraria thomsonii radix (PTR) for dyslipidemia. We randomly assigned 174 patients with mildly elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels to receive 15 g/day PLR, PTR, or a placebo for 12 weeks. Changes in baseline LDL-C levels after PLR or PTR treatments compared with placebo treatment were not significant. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels increased more significantly after PLR treatment than placebo treatment (+3.05 mg/dl, 95 % confidence interval = 0.75–5.35), whereas this effect was not observed for PTR treatment. Regarding PLR treatment, increases in HDL-C levels were mainly observed in the female, >50 years old, and nondrinker subgroups. The treatments did not show significant effects on other outcomes. No PLR- or PTR-related adverse events were reported. Given its effect on HDL-C, daily consumption of PLR, but not PTR, may represent an edible, medicinal remedy to manage dyslipidemia.