Determination of 1-Deoxynojirimycin Content and Phytochemical Profiles from Young and Mature Mulberry Leaves of Morus Spp.

Abstract

Mulberry leaves have been known to be rich in 1-Deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) which inhibits postprandial hyperglycemia by inhibiting α-glucosidase in the small intestine and thereby reducing the breakdown of starch and other complex sugar into glucose. Mulberry leaf extract also contains many other bioactive compounds and phytochemicals. They are very effective in supporting blood sugar levels and balancing cholesterol and triglycerides. The DNJ content in mulberry leaves depends on the leaf's variety and age. In this study, the phytochemical profile and DNJ content of young leaves and mature mulberry leaves in Indonesia were determined to further promote mulberry use using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Pyrolisis Gass Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The phytochemicals test result for the four leaf samples showed that all four samples contain alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, tannins and terpenes. The mature leaves of M. cathayana contain the highest DNJ concentration (2.90 mg DNJ/g leaves) out of eight samples. DNJ has the potential to be used as a functional food for diabetic patients. Analysis using HPLC and Py-GC-MS confirmed that mulberry species contain many beneficial phytochemicals. This study presented that Indonesian mulberry leaves extracts to have high phytochemical compositions which very potential utilized in the medicinal field.

Morus alba L. Plant: Bioactive Compounds and Potential as a Functional Food Ingredient

“…Several new compounds, including flavan derivatives (moracinflavan A-G [ 26 ]) and 2-arylbenzofuran derivatives (moracinfurol A and B) were obtained from M. alba leaves [ 27 ]. The same significant phytochemical groups—alkaloids, phenolic, flavonoids, tannin, and terpenes—were isolated from leaves of two different maturities, with mature leaves containing higher 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) and secondary metabolite values [ 28 ]. However, only simple terpenes were isolated via pyrolysis gas chromatography–mass spectrophotometry (Py/GC/MS), possibly due to terpenes’ lack of a polar group, which makes them more easily volatile compared to alkaloids and phenolics.…”

Chemometric evaluation of functional components and anti‐quorum sensing activity of mulberry leaves from Indian cultivars: a potential contribution to the food industry

“…1‐Deoxynojirimycin, an iminosugar, is one of the most important biologically active natural compounds synthesized in mulberry leaves 31 . It has structural similarity to the natural substrate ( d ‐glucose) and is capable of binding to α‐glycosidase and glucoamylase enzymes 32 . Therefore, it can inhibit glucosidase activity, which could help to suppress blood glucose levels, thereby preventing diabetes mellitus and decreasing lipid accumulation 8 .…”

Determination of 1-Deoxynojirimycin (1-DNJ) in Leaves of Italian or Italy-Adapted Cultivars of Mulberry (Morus sp.pl.) by HPLC-MS

“…Furthermore, from the end of the last century 1-DNJ has been widely studied by scientists for its capacity to inhibit α-glucosidase and tumor cell metastasis, reducing postprandial blood glucose and fat accumulation, contrasting aging-related behaviors and HIV progression [ 7 ]. Due to its powerful and wide range of possible applications in therapeutics, various efforts have also been carried out to identify the highest-yielding mulberry varieties [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ], the richest branch portions in 1-DNJ leaf content [ 8 , 9 , 11 , 13 ], the optimal harvesting season [ 14 ], the influence of the cultivation area and its interaction with the mulberry varieties [ 14 ], in addition to the best leaf processing and extraction method [ 7 , 9 , 15 ]. Furthermore, as mulberry leaves are the only feed of the silkworm B. Mori , which is efficient at concentrating the active ingredient in its body tissues, researchers have also been investigating this insect as a precious bio-accumulator [ 7 , 16 , 17 ].…”