Effects of Morus nigra L. in Bone Healing

Abstract

Morus nigra L., popularly known as blackberry, mulberry or blackberry bush, is a plant species widely used by folk medicine. Although there are few scientific studies that denote its therapeutic features, an important highlight of black mulberry is the recurrent use of tea leaves in popular environment for treatment of climacteric because it is considered a source of substances with estrogenic activity, which, if deficient, decreases osteoblastic action. Thus, the objective of the present study was to analyze the effect of the infusion of the leaves of M. nigra L. on bone repair experimental models. Twenty female Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus), ∼ 100 days old, were submitted to fracture with bone loss in the left fibula. After that, they ingested tea leaves of M. nigra L. for 30 days without interruption. The animals suffered euthanasia after the treatment period. The results showed a significant healing of fractures in all animals that ingested the tea, when compared with other groups. In this way, it is possible to suggest that M. nigra L. tea is able to trigger a positive response in bone repair mechanism; however, it is not possible to state at what level this positive interference occurs, since mechanisms of its action have not yet been elucidated, thus requiring more specific studies on the phytotherapeutic effects of this plant.

Phytotherapeutic approach for conquering menopausal syndrome and osteoporosis

“…Diverse bioactive compounds have been isolated from the mulberry fruit depending on the stage of maturity and are responsible for its miscellaneous biological activities. These plants can be used as phytoestrogens for hormone replacement therapy and used for the management of climacteric and osteoporosis in elderly females (Cohen, 2005; Costa et al, 2019). One of the animal study concluded that encapsulated mulberry fruit extract can be used to reduce inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolic parameters associated with the metabolic syndrome of menopause (Wattanathorn et al, 2019).…”