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.
Highlights
Medicinal plants have been used as a therapeutic treatment since 4000–5000 B.C., with reports in different populations, mainly Asian, and applications in the treatment and prevention of different disorders, such as inflammatory processes, intestinal diseases, cutaneous conditions, and even cancer [1].The safety and efficacy of medicinal plants have been well-accepted, as seen in traditional long-term use and scientific research [2]
Due to the wide variety of species and effects related to their use, studies have sought to identify the mechanisms involved in these processes, mainly those that are related to chronic non-communicable diseases, such as obesity and diabetes, since many plants have antidiabetic effects [1,3], among other effects that act in the fight against such diseases
These results suggest that the route of administration and the dose of Morus leaf extracts directly interfere with the levels of toxicity offered by the plant, and that oral administration is the most highly recommended
Summary
Medicinal plants have been used as a therapeutic treatment since 4000–5000 B.C., with reports in different populations, mainly Asian, and applications in the treatment and prevention of different disorders, such as inflammatory processes, intestinal diseases, cutaneous conditions, and even cancer [1]. Leaves of various varieties of the species Morus have a high concentration of sugar-mimicking alkaloids known to have hypoglycemic properties, such as 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-imino-D-arabinitol, 1-deoxynojirimycin, and 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-imino-D-ribitol [11] They are able to inhibit all or some intestinal disaccharidases and pancreatic amylases by regulating the uptake of monosaccharides, and are therapeutically used in the oral treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus [12]. The phosphatidylinositol3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) signaling pathways are activated by elevating the translocation of the glucose transporter (GLUT-4) in skeletal muscles and in adipose tissue [13] Medicinal hypoglycemic agents, such as metformin and rosiglitazone, are used to regulate protein kinases activated by adenosine monophosphate (kappa), which is responsible for energy control in cells, playing a central role in regulating glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity [14]. Reference [16] [16] [16] [16] [20] [16] [16] [16] [16] [16] [16] [16] [16] [16] [18] [16]
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