Mulberries: A Promising Fruit for Phytochemicals, Nutraceuticals, and Biological Activities

Abstract

The review highlights the significance of mulberry fruits in both chemical and biological sagacity and their role as antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antiobesity, hypolipidemic, and antibacterial. Besides, having phytochemicals induced biological pathways and nutritional value. Although a number of mulberry fruits species available in nature, the review elucidates the specific role of Morus alba, Morus nigra, Morus rubra, whose functions in living systems are poorly implicit. Many Pharmacological properties of mulberry fruits which are discovered in the recent past for therapeutic purposes also highlighted. Further, ethnopharmacological relevance, medicinal aspects, and bioavailability of mulberry fruits are discussed in detail.

"MORUS RUBRA L: “Phytochemical Screening, Anti- Bacterial, Antioxidant and Anti-Hyperglycemic Activity Determination"

“…The micro-organism used were Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, and Bacillus subtilis. There was no antibacterial activity observed in the agar well diffusion with Escherichia coli and the MIC assay [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29]. The antioxidant activity of the plant extract was assessed through the method of DPPH test while the total amount of phenolic compounds in the extract can be determined through the TPC test.…”

Antidiabetic Flavonoids from Fruits of Morus alba Promoting Insulin-Stimulated Glucose Uptake via Akt and AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Activation in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

“…Interestingly, in Korea and Japan, patients with diabetes consume mulberry leaves as an anti-hyperglycemic supplement [ 35 ], and the leaves are known to be effective against high blood pressure and hangover from alcohol and in lowering blood sugar levels related to diabetes [ 36 ]. Previous biological studies of M. alba have reported that its extracts exhibit diverse therapeutic properties, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, skin-whitening, cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperlipidemic, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, and anti-obesity effects [ 37 , 38 ]. In addition, previous phytochemical studies on M. alba have demonstrated the presence of diverse chemical constituents including terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids (including chalcones and anthocyanins), phenolic acids, stilbenoids, and coumarins [ 38 ].…”

“…Previous biological studies of M. alba have reported that its extracts exhibit diverse therapeutic properties, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, skin-whitening, cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperlipidemic, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, and anti-obesity effects [ 37 , 38 ]. In addition, previous phytochemical studies on M. alba have demonstrated the presence of diverse chemical constituents including terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids (including chalcones and anthocyanins), phenolic acids, stilbenoids, and coumarins [ 38 ]. However, few previous studies have investigated the chemical constituents of M. alba with antidiabetic or anti-obesity effects and their underlying mechanisms of action, despite many studies on the pharmacological effects of M. alba extracts.…”

“…In particular, we recently found that loliolide, a heterocyclic compound in M. alba fruits, showed a protective effect against streptozotocin-induced apoptosis of INS-1 cells via inhibition of the caspase signaling pathway and induction of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl‑2) protein expression, suggesting that the active compound could be effective in preventing diabetes mellitus [ 42 ]. In the present study, the ethanol extract of M. alba fruits was further investigated to identify potential antidiabetic natural compounds, as there have been few studies on the antidiabetic compounds identified from M. alba and their underlying mechanisms of action, although it has been used in traditional medicine to lower blood sugar levels [ 36 ], and M. alba extracts are known to exhibit antidiabetic properties [ 37 , 38 ]. Phytochemical analysis led to the identification of two main compounds, rutin and quercetin-3- O -β- d -glucoside, and their structures were determined by detailed analysis of their nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic and physical data, which were compared with previously reported values and mass spectrometry (MS) data from liquid chromatography (LC)–MS analysis.…”

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of White Mulberry (Morus alba L.) Fruits on Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated RAW 264.7 Macrophages

“…Its fruit is a multiple fruit with a sweet flavor, and it is extensively consumed in various forms including as tea, dessert, and beverages worldwide [ 7 ]. Specifically, the mulberry fruit, which is rich in beneficial nutrients, contain secondary metabolites that have pharmacological activities such as antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-obesity, and anti-inflammatory effects [ 9 ].…”