The Pro-Health Benefits of Morusin Administration—An Update Review

Abstract

Prenylflavonoids are widespread in nature. Plants are valuable sources of natural polyphenolic compounds with isoprenyl groups, which include flavones, flavanones, chalcones and aurones. They can be found in flowers, bark and stems. One of the most important compounds found in the bark of white mulberry (Morus alba) is morusin, a prenylated flavone with interesting pro-health properties. The research carried out so far revealed that morusin has antioxidant, antitumor, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic activity. Moreover, its neuroprotective and antihyperglycemic properties have also been confirmed. Morusin suppresses the growth of different types of tumors, including breast cancer, glioblastoma, pancreatic cancer, hepatocarcinoma, prostate cancer, and gastric cancer. It also inhibits the inflammatory response by suppressing COX activity and iNOS expression. Moreover, an antimicrobial effect against Gram-positive bacteria was observed after treatment with morusin. The objective of this review is to summarize the current knowledge about the positive effects of morusin on human health in order to facilitate future study on the development of plant polyphenolic drugs and nutraceutics in the group of prenylflavones.

Total Syntheses and Antibacterial Evaluations of Neocyclomorusin and Related Flavones

“…Treatment of 21 and 22 with aqueous 60% KOH yielded two other important natural products, morusin ( 23 ) and cudraflavone B ( 24 ), respectively. Both 23 and 24 were previously reported from Morus alba and exhibited a broad spectrum of interesting biological activities. , …”

“…Both 23 and 24 were previously reported from Morus alba and exhibited a broad spectrum of interesting biological activities. 25,26 Due to the structural similarities between 23 and 24, distinction between the two natural compounds was a challenge and may lead to misassignment. Therefore, the structures of the regioisomers 23 and 24 were further confirmed by 2D NMR (HMBC and HMQC) data analysis.…”

Novel active compounds and the anti-diabetic mechanism of mulberry leaves

“…Our verified experiments in human L02 hepatocytes revealed that the expression levels of ADORA1 genes were upregulated in insulin resistance, while morusin treatment markedly increased cellular glucose consumption stimulated by insulin and downregulated ADORA1 expression. Morusin is a prenylated flavone that allows for versatile salutary effects, including antioxidant, antitumor, and anti-inflammatory activities ( Choi et al, 2020 ; Panek-Krzysko and Stompor-Goracy, 2021 ). Recently, the metabolically beneficial effects of morusin have been gradually recognized.…”

The Spectrum of Pharmacological Actions of Syringetin and Its Natural Derivatives—A Summary Review

“…Polyphenolic compounds, which are commonly found in fruits, wine, and herbs, constitute a group of over 8000 substances. Among them we can find flavones and their hydroxylated analogues flavonols [ 1 , 2 ]. The health-promoting properties of flavonoids arise from their cyclic structures with conjugated double bonds, and from the presence of various functional groups in the aromatic rings.…”