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Review
. 2019 Jan 14;20(2):301.
doi: 10.3390/ijms20020301.

Nutraceutical and Medicinal Potential of the Morus Species in Metabolic Dysfunctions

Elisana Lima Rodrigues  1 , Gabriela Marcelino  2 , Gabriela Torres Silva  3 , Priscila Silva Figueiredo  4 , Walmir Silva Garcez  5 , Joaquim Corsino  6 , Rita de Cássia Avellaneda Guimarães  7 , Karine de Cássia Freitas  8
Affiliations
Review

Nutraceutical and Medicinal Potential of the Morus Species in Metabolic Dysfunctions

Elisana Lima Rodrigues et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

Many populations use medicinal plants as a therapeutic treatment, due to their lower cost and greater access. Among the plant species used for medicinal purposes are those of the genus Morus. The most known species are Morus alba, rubra, and nigra. This review aims to collect data from the literature, predominantly from cell and animal studies, which presents a possible nutraceutical and medicinal potential of the species Morus for use in metabolic dysfunctions. The fruits and leaves of mulberry are used for therapeutic purposes. For scientific confirmation of these effects, they were studied for laxative properties, antibacterial activity, anti-atherogenic activity, and hepatoprotective function. Furthermore, the genus Morus is recognized for the treatment and prevention of diabetes mellitus, through its hypoglycemic action. It may also provide health benefits through immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and anti-nociceptive effects. It has been found that the Morus species have phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and anthocyanins that act as important antioxidants and promote beneficial effects on human health. These phytochemical compounds differ among species. Blackberry (Morus nigra) are rich in flavonoids, while the white mulberry (Morus alba) has low concentrations of flavonoids and anthocyanins. In addition, another important factor is to ensure a complete exemption of toxic risks in the use of medicinal plants for the treatment of diseases. Studies have shown no toxic effects by the administration of extracts of Morus species. Thus, the mulberry tree presents nutraceutical potential. It is therefore a promising alternative for medicinal products based on medicinal plants.

Keywords: Moraceae; antioxidants; diabetes mellitus; flavonoids; medicinal plants.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The most common species of the genus Morus. Source: 1 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Morus-alba.jpg; 2 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Morus-nigra.JPG; 3 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2017-05-29_14_12_27_Red_Mulberry_fruit_along_Kinross_Circle_in_the_Chantilly_Highland_section_of_Oak_Hill,_Fairfax_County,_Virginia.jpg.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Anti-atherogenic activity of the ethanolic extract from fruits of Morus nigra L.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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