White Mulberry Plant Extracts in Cardiovascular Prevention: An Update

Abstract

This review examines the principal preclinical and clinical findings assessing the effects of White Mulberry (Morus Alba Linn) plant extract supplementation currently available. Since it is one of the most cultivated species of mulberry tree, it has caught the eye of researchers for its rich phytochemical profile as well as multi-purpose usages. The leaves, fruits, and other parts of the White Mulberry plant take on the role of valuable sources of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, terpenoids, and alkaloids. These secondary metabolites have a wide range of health benefits, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic properties. Commonly used as dietary supplements, White Mulberry plant extracts have shown their great capacity in improving metabolic profile, decreasing the cardiovascular risk, and supporting overall health.

Keywords: Morus alba; diabetes; dietary supplements; nutraceuticals; obesity; oxidative stress.

Figure 1

Principal active compounds present in the leaves, fruits, and root bark of White Mulberry.

Figure 2

Principal bioactive compounds present in the White Mulberry and their biological action.

Figure 3

Schematic representation of early steps of insulin signaling, and the principal mechanisms that account for the effects of White Mulberry extracts on glucose homeostasis. Binding of insulin to the α sub-unit of its own receptor stimulates the auto-phosphorylation of tyrosine residues of β sub-unit, which, in turn, induces the tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of IR substrates (IRS), IRS-1 and IRS-2. The binding of phosphorylated IRS1/2 to the regulatory sub-unit p85 of phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) activates the catalytic sub-unit p110, which, in turns phosphorylates/activates the serine/threonine kinase Akt (called also PKB), which stimulates the glucose uptake through the translocation of the major glucose transporter GLUT-4 to the plasma membrane. In addition, activation of IRS-1 and 2 promotes the activation of the MAPK kinases ERK 1 and 2 that translocate into the nucleus and regulate transcriptional processes. White Mulberry extracts (Flavonoids, Polysaccharides, 1-DNJ) exert their action on glucose homeostasis by potentiating the IRS-1 and IRS-2-dependent pathways, and by activation of the AMP-activated protein kinase, which, in turn, potentiates the translocation of GLUT-4 from the cytosol to the plasma membrane. AMPK: AMP-activated protein kinase, P: Phosphorylation, Tyr: Tyrosine.

Figure 4

Principal pharmacological actions of White Mulberry that account for cardiovascular prevention.