Effects of pueraria root (pueraria radix) on the content of collagen and elastin in pelvic floor dysfunction patients

This study was performed to investigate the effects of Pueraria radix, the root of a legume Pueraria lobata (Wild.), on the content of collagen and elastin and discuss its role in treating patients with pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD). This prospective, multi-center, and randomized study was performed on postmenopausal women diagnosed with PFD planning to undergo vaginal hysterectomy. Included patients were randomly assigned into pueraria-treated group or control group. Then randomization was stratified by the Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) stage [early POP stage (I, II) vs advanced POP stage (III, IV)]. The primary outcome was the morphology and content of collagen and elastin, which was detected by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Weigert’s staining, or immunohistochemistry. The intraoperative outcome, postoperative complication and pathologic changes of endometrium and serum estradiol level were also recorded. Totally 60 patients were included, with 30 women in each group. For each group, there were 15 patients with PFD at early POP stage and 15 patients at advanced POP stage. Preoperative administration of pueraria tablet could improve the morphology and significantly increase the content of type I/III collagen and elastin (P < 0.001). Additionally, patients in pueraria-treated group had significantly shorter duration of operation (P = 0.001), less blood Loss during operation (P < 0.001). Furthermore, pueraria tablet treatment is safe and well-tolerated, with comparable adverse effects in the control group. In conclusions, preoperative administration of Pueraria radix could remarkably increase the content of collagen and elastin, which might be beneficial for postmenopausal women with PFD.