AKR1B1 and atherosclerosis: We found that isoflavones, including daidzein, genistein, and puerarin, as well as β-sitosterol, are the key active ingredients of Gegen responsible for its antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemia effects, which mainly target AKR1B1, EGFR, ESR, TNF, NOS3, MAPK3, PPAR, CYP19A1, INS, IL6, and SORD and multiple pathways, such as the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway; the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, fluid shear stress, and atherosclerosis; the PPAR signaling pathway; insulin resistance; the HIF-1 signaling pathway; the TNF signaling pathway; and others.