Herb
PREGNANCY RECOMMENDATION: No Human Data—Probably Compatible
BREASTFEEDING RECOMMENDATION: No Human Data—Probably Compatible
PREGNANCY SUMMARY
No studies describing the use of kudzu during animal or human pregnancy have been located. Because the herb has been used as a medicine for more than 2500 years, it is doubtful that it causes developmental toxicity. Moreover, many chemical constituents of kudzu can also be found in foods. Nevertheless, the safest course is to avoid high, frequent doses of the herb or its individual constituents during pregnancy.
FETAL RISK SUMMARY
Kudzu, a fast-growing vine native to Japan, China, and Fiji, was introduced to the United States in the late 1800s to control soil erosion. It is well established in moist southern regions and is now considered an invasive pest. In China, kudzu has been used as a medicine since the 6th century BC as therapy for alcoholism, muscular pain, and treatment of measles. Treatment of alcohol hangover, drunkenness, and alcoholism is its primary indications. It also has been used for numerous other indications, none of which have been adequately studied. Kudzu also has been investigated for its antiproliferative activity in some cancers (breast, ovarian, and cervical), its cardiovascular activity for arrhythmia, ischemia, and angina pectoris, and for hepatic protection, hyperlipidemia, and osteogenic activity. Some constituents of kudzu are phytoestrogens and antioxidants (1,2).
The chemical constituents identified from the root, flowers, and leaves include flavonoids, isoflavonoids, and isoflavones. Specific constituents that have been identified include kudzu saponins, robinin, tectoridin, kakkalide, formononetin, biochanin A, plant sterols, and the isoflavones daidzein, daidzin, genistein, genistin, and puerarin. Many of these agents are found in food, such as daidzein and genistein from soybeans (1,2).
A long-term study in mice evaluated the fertility and reproductive toxicity of kudzu (3). Toxicity with high daily doses (100 mg/kg) included prolonged estrous cycles, hyperplasia of the uterine endothelium, and a decrease in the number of growing ovarian follicles. This dose also resulted in a decrease in mating efficiency. The effects were attributed to decreases in the serum concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). In contrast, a 10-mg/kg/day dose induced no changes in the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian–uterine axis (3).
BREASTFEEDING SUMMARY
No reports describing the use of kudzu during lactation have been located. Because the herb has been used as a medicine for more than 2500 years, it is doubtful that it causes harm during breastfeeding. Moreover, many chemical constituents of kudzu can also be found in foods. Nevertheless, nursing women should avoid high, frequent doses of the herb or its individual constituents.
References
1.Kudzu. In: The Review of Natural Products. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Health, 2008.
2.Kudzu. In: Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. 10th ed. Stockton, CA: Therapeutic Research Faculty, 2008:890–3.
3.Jaroenporn S, Malaivijitnond S, Wattanasirmkit K, Watanabe G, Taya K, Cherdshewasart W. Assessment of fertility and reproductive toxicity in adult female mice after long-term exposure to Pueraria mirifica herb. J Reprod Dev 2007;53:995–1005.